Microsoft and IP address

[Guest]

t try any ACan anyone explain to me why whenever I visit a Microsoft webpage,
they
consistently try to grab my IP address despite the fact that I have this
blocked. Apart from Bill Gates obvious desire to rule the world, what
possible use is it to them. And if they really do have a good reason for
requesting it, a polite request would be far more honest thing to do, rather
than trying to snaffle it in the background!

And please don't try any of that "using it for statistical analysis for a
better service" rubbish. You know as well as I do that you can tell nothing
about me from my IP address, any more than you can if i give out my phone
number.

Anyone from Microsoft care to respond?

 

[Malke]

t try any ACan anyone explain to me why whenever I visit a Microsoft
webpage, they
consistently try to grab my IP address despite the fact that I have
this blocked. Apart from Bill Gates obvious desire to rule the world,
what possible use is it to them. And if they really do have a good
reason for requesting it, a polite request would be far more honest
thing to do, rather than trying to snaffle it in the background!

And please don't try any of that "using it for statistical analysis
for a better service" rubbish. You know as well as I do that you can
tell nothing about me from my IP address, any more than you can if i
give out my phone number.

Anyone from Microsoft care to respond?

First of all, if you want to contact Microsoft this is not the place to
do it. This is a peer-to-peer newsgroup hosted on Microsoft servers
with the majority of the helpers being volunteers and not working for
the company.

Secondly, all websites get your IP address. Otherwise you would not be
able to surf.

If you describe your concerns a little better someone may be able to
help you. I'm not sure what you mean by "they consistently try to grab
my IP address".

Malke

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

t try any ACan anyone explain to me why whenever I visit a Microsoft webpage,
they
consistently try to grab my IP address despite the fact that I have this
blocked. Apart from Bill Gates obvious desire to rule the world, what
possible use is it to them. And if they really do have a good reason for
requesting it, a polite request would be far more honest thing to do, rather
than trying to snaffle it in the background!

And please don't try any of that "using it for statistical analysis for a
better service" rubbish. You know as well as I do that you can tell nothing
about me from my IP address, any more than you can if i give out my phone
number.

Anyone from Microsoft care to respond?

I'm not from Microsoft, but I'll try. Every web site that you visit
grabs your IP address. Your web browser sends your IP address to the
site. You've asked to see the contents of the site, and the site has
to know your IP address to send the contents back to you. Microsoft
does this the same as every other site on the Internet.

Do you see Microsoft doing something else that other sites don't do?
How have you tried to block Microsoft from seeing your IP address?
How do you think Microsoft could send the site contents to you if it
couldn't see your IP address?
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

 

[Guest]

ok. reply to both Malke and steve.
Malke. I realise this is not the right place to contact microsoft, but
sending an email to microsoft themselves is almost impossible. If you can
find an email address that works, please let me know. I am also fully aware
that microsoft monitor these forums so figured I might get some response. I
also thought that my peers might have some idea.

You unfortunately obviously do not. When I connect to a web page I do it
through a proxy server. The request for the web page therefore comes from my
proxy server IP address and not from mine. The web page then responds and
sends its details to my proxy server who then send it on to me. The web page
therefore has no idea of MY Ip address. The only time I am connected on a one
to one basis with a web page is when it is a secure page i.e Https:\\........
Using my firewall (Norton) I can set up certain parameters that let me know
when sensitive data is about to pass through it and give me the option of
blocking it. One of my pieces of sensitive data is my IP address. When a web
pages requests my IP address I am notified and given the option to stop it
being sent. Most web pages on the internet are quite content to deal with my
proxy server and never request my REAL IP address. Microsoft is not one of
these sites. Assuming you have a firewall, try it and see. Then reply.

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

ok. reply to both Malke and steve.
Malke. I realise this is not the right place to contact microsoft, but
sending an email to microsoft themselves is almost impossible. If you can
find an email address that works, please let me know. I am also fully aware
that microsoft monitor these forums so figured I might get some response. I
also thought that my peers might have some idea.

You unfortunately obviously do not. When I connect to a web page I do it
through a proxy server. The request for the web page therefore comes from my
proxy server IP address and not from mine. The web page then responds and
sends its details to my proxy server who then send it on to me. The web page
therefore has no idea of MY Ip address. The only time I am connected on a one
to one basis with a web page is when it is a secure page i.e Https:\\........
Using my firewall (Norton) I can set up certain parameters that let me know
when sensitive data is about to pass through it and give me the option of
blocking it. One of my pieces of sensitive data is my IP address. When a web
pages requests my IP address I am notified and given the option to stop it
being sent. Most web pages on the internet are quite content to deal with my
proxy server and never request my REAL IP address. Microsoft is not one of
these sites. Assuming you have a firewall, try it and see. Then reply.

Thanks for those details. From reading your first message, I didn't
know that you use a proxy server. I didn't know what "grab my IP
address" means to you, either -- that's why I asked what you see
Microsoft doing that other sites don't and how you've tried to block
them.

Is your IP address in one of these ranges?

10.0.0.0 - 10.255.255.255
172.16.0.0 - 172.31.255.255
192.168.0.0 - 192.168.255.255

Those addresses are reserved for private networks, and they're
non-routable. That means that routers on the Internet discard all
packets addressed to them. With a private IP address, it isn't
possible for Microsoft (or anyone else on the Internet) to access your
computer directly.

Please give more details about exactly what you see Microsoft doing
that other web sites don't do.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

 

[Guest]

Thanks for those details. From reading your first message, I didn't
know that you use a proxy server. I didn't know what "grab my IP
address" means to you, either -- that's why I asked what you see
Microsoft doing that other sites don't and how you've tried to block
them.

Is your IP address in one of these ranges?

10.0.0.0 - 10.255.255.255
172.16.0.0 - 172.31.255.255
192.168.0.0 - 192.168.255.255

Those addresses are reserved for private networks, and they're
non-routable. That means that routers on the Internet discard all
packets addressed to them. With a private IP address, it isn't
possible for Microsoft (or anyone else on the Internet) to access your
computer directly.

Please give more details about exactly what you see Microsoft doing
that other web sites don't do.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

Hi Steve

My IP address is actually 83.104.xxx.xx

when I am surfing the internet, 99 out of 100 websites do not trigger any
response from my firewall. However just occassionally, and always on
microsoft.com, I am alerted that I am about to send sensitive information
across the internet. Here are a few examples from the Microsoft website...

your computer is attempting to send Private Information over the internet

Sending to : http://www.microsoft.com/wn3/css/en-us.css
Information blocked 83.104.xxx.xx

other sending to details include
http://www.microsoft.com/wn3/gif/arrowright...

http://m.webtrends.com/dcsjwb9vb00000c9.....

http://www.microsoft.com/wn3/aspx/postui.....

There are many more. Everytime a page reloads, or a picture loads, I get a
similar message.
I conclude therefore that the code embedded in these webpages is requesting
my IP address from my PC. My question is why? I notice that some of these
requests eminate from "http://www.webtrends....." domain. Why would
Microsoft want my details sent to another domain? What are they trying to do
with them? If it is for good and philanthropic reasons, why not ask me if
this is ok? Like my phone number, if someone has a need of my IP address I am
quite happy to provide it. I have nothing to hide. What I object to is the
underhand way this is being done. If I had not set my firewall up in this
way, I would never have known. Most "users" I have spoken to are totally
ignorant of firewalls and are thus unaware of this process. Surely this is
not right.

 

[ANONYMOUS]

How is your security settings set? In particular, have you set it to
check for updates from MS website or have you checked "Turn off
Automatic Updates".

Also, if you are using any of the MS office Applications then the
history of your use is sent to MS anonymously. Why this is dome I don't
know but the rubbish answer is "for statistical purposes". Nobody likes
this but there is nothing we can do about this as we are hostage to MS
products unless everybody starts using alternative products for business
purposes.

hth

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

Hi Steve

My IP address is actually 83.104.xxx.xx

when I am surfing the internet, 99 out of 100 websites do not trigger any
response from my firewall. However just occassionally, and always on
microsoft.com, I am alerted that I am about to send sensitive information
across the internet. Here are a few examples from the Microsoft website...

your computer is attempting to send Private Information over the internet

Sending to : http://www.microsoft.com/wn3/css/en-us.css
Information blocked 83.104.xxx.xx

other sending to details include
http://www.microsoft.com/wn3/gif/arrowright...

http://m.webtrends.com/dcsjwb9vb00000c9.....

http://www.microsoft.com/wn3/aspx/postui.....

There are many more. Everytime a page reloads, or a picture loads, I get a
similar message.
I conclude therefore that the code embedded in these webpages is requesting
my IP address from my PC. My question is why? I notice that some of these
requests eminate from "http://www.webtrends....." domain. Why would
Microsoft want my details sent to another domain? What are they trying to do
with them? If it is for good and philanthropic reasons, why not ask me if
this is ok? Like my phone number, if someone has a need of my IP address I am
quite happy to provide it. I have nothing to hide. What I object to is the
underhand way this is being done. If I had not set my firewall up in this
way, I would never have known. Most "users" I have spoken to are totally
ignorant of firewalls and are thus unaware of this process. Surely this is
not right.

The 83.104.xxx.xx range appears to be public IP addresses belonging to
demon.co.uk. The header of your message contains such an address.

When you say that "My IP address is actually 83.104.xxx.xx", which of
these do you mean?

1. That's your proxy server's public IP address.

2. That's the address assigned to your computer's local area network
connection.

3. Something else.

I was asking about your computer's local area network connection.

I'm afraid that I might not be of much help beyond this. I don't know
how your proxy server is set up. I don't know how your Norton
firewall decides what is "Private Information". I don't know why
you're seeing different behavior from Microsoft than from other sites,
and I don't know whether what Microsoft is doing is good or bad.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

 

[Guest]

Hi Steve
83.104.xxx.xx is the address assigned to my computer's local area network
connection.

The proxy server I am using is 193.195.xxx.xx which as you so rightly stated
is a Demon server.

Private information in Norton is whatever I tell the firewall I do not want
to be given out. My firewall knows that 83.104.xxx.xx is Private information,
so when a website is trying to obtain this info, it blocks it and warns me.

I do sometimes find other websites which do this. Argos online is one of
them. I wrote to their helpdesk asking why, and was informed it was for
statistical data.

Rubbish of course, but what can you do.

 

[Guest]

Ain't that the truth though!!!

How is your security settings set? In particular, have you set it to
check for updates from MS website or have you checked "Turn off
Automatic Updates".

Also, if you are using any of the MS office Applications then the
history of your use is sent to MS anonymously. Why this is dome I don't
know but the rubbish answer is "for statistical purposes". Nobody likes
this but there is nothing we can do about this as we are hostage to MS
products unless everybody starts using alternative products for business
purposes.

hth