Windows 10 Spybot Anti-Beacon ... immunises Win 10

[muckshifter]

"Spybot Anti-Beacon is a standalone tool which was designed to block and stop the various tracking (telemetry) issues present in Windows 10. It has since been modified to block similar tracking functionality in Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 operating systems.

Anti-Beacon is small, simple to use, and is provided free of charge. It was created to address the privacy concerns of users of Windows 10 who do not wish to have information about their PC usage sent to Microsoft. Simply clicking “Immunize” on the main screen of Anti-Beacon will immediately disable any known tracking features included by Microsoft in the operating system."

It has been noted that when Win 10 updates itself, usually without you knowing, it will re-enable some privacy settings you may have previously disabled ... SAB will auto re-immunise on reboot.

Even builds, and maintains, a small Host file for your viewing pleasure ... be aware, however, that Bing, using the Edge browser, can somehow circumvent the Host file. Nice trick MS.


Spybot Anti-Beacon

 

[V_R]

Nice, will take a look at this later.

FWIW, I always use the host file from MVPS - http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.htm - have done for years. That along with uBlock Origin (Chrome) (not uBlock) and I can't remember the last time I saw an advert.

 

[muckshifter]

 

[EvanDavis]

Love Barnacules. He is an ex Microsoft employee

 

[V_R]

Just to something to add to this in case it ever comes up.

If you block the 'Telemetry Services' it may break some things. The one I noticed is playing Xbox games on Windows (Forza Motosport 7 in this case), if its blocked it won't unlock any achievements you earn in game and it won't unlock them until you unblock the service.

i noticed this when playing FM7 and I wasn't getting any, after a Google and then allowing (if you click 'show options' on the bottom left and tick just Telemetry Services and use the undo button in Anti Beacon) the service they all popped up at once.

Not a big issue I know, but something that is worth knowing.

 

[Ian]

I noticed a few oddities too, particularly with the "optional" entries. There appear to be a lot of entries added to the HOSTS file, which blocks useful services. I've now only immunised the "protection" entries.

 

[V_R]

Well I've actually uninstalled it for now, just testing something....

 

[Ian]

I've just had a look at Spybot Anti-Beacon again, and to look at their product page you'd think that it was a paid-for product now. However, the prices appear to be for the "plus" version. The normal version still appears to be free.

A while back I remember someone linked to an alternative app to this for Windows 10, which did a similar job... however I can't remember what it was called. Anyone use an alternative to this?

 

[muckshifter]

I noticed a few oddities too, particularly with the "optional" entries. There appear to be a lot of entries added to the HOSTS file, which blocks useful services. I've now only immunised the "protection" entries.

err, you may want to investigate that Ian, I have no added entries

# Copyright (c) 1993-2009 Microsoft Corp.
#
# This is a sample HOSTS file used by Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows.
#
# This file contains the mappings of IP addresses to host names. Each
# entry should be kept on an individual line. The IP address should
# be placed in the first column followed by the corresponding host name.
# The IP address and the host name should be separated by at least one
# space.
#
# Additionally, comments (such as these) may be inserted on individual
# lines or following the machine name denoted by a '#' symbol.
#
# For example:
#
#      102.54.94.97     rhino.acme.com          # source server
#       38.25.63.10     x.acme.com              # x client host

# localhost name resolution is handled within DNS itself.
#    127.0.0.1       localhost
#    ::1             localhost

ah, now then, TWO Hosts files ??

# Copyright (c) 1993-2009 Microsoft Corp.
#
# This is a sample HOSTS file used by Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows.
#
# This file contains the mappings of IP addresses to host names. Each
# entry should be kept on an individual line. The IP address should
# be placed in the first column followed by the corresponding host name.
# The IP address and the host name should be separated by at least one
# space.
#
# Additionally, comments (such as these) may be inserted on individual
# lines or following the machine name denoted by a '#' symbol.
#
# For example:
#
#      102.54.94.97     rhino.acme.com          # source server
#       38.25.63.10     x.acme.com              # x client host

# localhost name resolution is handled within DNS itself.
#    127.0.0.1       localhost
#    ::1             localhost

# Start of entries inserted by Spybot - Search & Destroy
# This list is Copyright 2000-2015 Safer-Networking Ltd.
# End of entries inserted by Spybot - Search & Destroy

# Start of entries inserted by Spybot Anti-Beacon for Windows 10 Optional
0.0.0.0    a.ads1.msn.com
0.0.0.0    a.ads2.msads.net
0.0.0.0    a.ads2.msn.com
0.0.0.0    a.rad.msn.com
0.0.0.0    a-0001.a-msedge.net
0.0.0.0    a-0002.a-msedge.net
0.0.0.0    a-0003.a-msedge.net
0.0.0.0    a-0004.a-msedge.net
0.0.0.0    a-0005.a-msedge.net
0.0.0.0    a-0006.a-msedge.net
0.0.0.0    a-0007.a-msedge.net
0.0.0.0    a-0008.a-msedge.net
0.0.0.0    a-0009.a-msedge.net
0.0.0.0    ac3.msn.com
0.0.0.0    ad.doubleclick.net
0.0.0.0    adnexus.net
0.0.0.0    adnxs.com
0.0.0.0    ads.msn.com
0.0.0.0    ads1.msads.net
0.0.0.0    ads1.msn.com
0.0.0.0    aidps.atdmt.com
0.0.0.0    aka-cdn-ns.adtech.de
0.0.0.0    a-msedge.net
0.0.0.0    apps.skype.com
0.0.0.0    az361816.vo.msecnd.net
0.0.0.0    az512334.vo.msecnd.net
0.0.0.0    b.ads1.msn.com
0.0.0.0    b.ads2.msads.net
0.0.0.0    b.rad.msn.com
0.0.0.0    bs.serving-sys.com
0.0.0.0    c.atdmt.com
0.0.0.0    c.msn.com
0.0.0.0    cdn.atdmt.com
0.0.0.0    cds26.ams9.msecn.net
0.0.0.0    compatexchange.cloudapp.net
0.0.0.0    corpext.msitadfs.glbdns2.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0    cs1.wpc.v0cdn.net
0.0.0.0    db3aqu.atdmt.com
0.0.0.0    ec.atdmt.com
0.0.0.0    fe2.update.microsoft.com.akadns.net
0.0.0.0    feedback.microsoft-hohm.com
0.0.0.0    flex.msn.com
0.0.0.0    g.msn.com
0.0.0.0    h1.msn.com
0.0.0.0    lb1.www.ms.akadns.net
0.0.0.0    live.rads.msn.com
0.0.0.0    m.adnxs.com
0.0.0.0    m.hotmail.com
0.0.0.0    msedge.net
0.0.0.0    msftncsi.com
0.0.0.0    msnbot-65-55-108-23.search.msn.com
0.0.0.0    msntest.serving-sys.com
0.0.0.0    pre.footprintpredict.com
0.0.0.0    preview.msn.com
0.0.0.0    pricelist.skype.com
0.0.0.0    rad.live.com
0.0.0.0    rad.msn.com
0.0.0.0    s.gateway.messenger.live.com
0.0.0.0    s0.2mdn.net
0.0.0.0    schemas.microsoft.akadns.net
0.0.0.0    secure.adnxs.com
0.0.0.0    secure.flashtalking.com
0.0.0.0    sls.update.microsoft.com.akadns.net
0.0.0.0    static.2mdn.net
0.0.0.0    statsfe1.ws.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0    statsfe2.update.microsoft.com.akadns.net
0.0.0.0    statsfe2.ws.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0    survey.watson.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0    view.atdmt.com
0.0.0.0    www.msftncsi.com
# End of entries inserted by Spybot Anti-Beacon for Windows 10 Optional
# Start of entries inserted by Spybot Anti-Beacon for Windows 10
0.0.0.0    treasuredata.com
0.0.0.0    in.treasuredata.com
0.0.0.0    redshell.io
0.0.0.0    api.redshell.io
# This list is Copyright 2000-2017 Safer-Networking Ltd.
0.0.0.0    choice.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0    choice.microsoft.com.nstac.net
0.0.0.0    df.telemetry.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0    oca.telemetry.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0    oca.telemetry.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
0.0.0.0    redir.metaservices.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0    reports.wes.df.telemetry.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0    services.wes.df.telemetry.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0    settings-sandbox.data.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0    settings-win.data.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0    sqm.df.telemetry.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0    sqm.telemetry.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0    sqm.telemetry.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
0.0.0.0    telecommand.telemetry.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0    telecommand.telemetry.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
0.0.0.0    telemetry.appex.bing.net
0.0.0.0    telemetry.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0    telemetry.urs.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0    vortex-sandbox.data.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0    vortex-win.data.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0    vortex.data.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0    watson.telemetry.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0    watson.telemetry.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
0.0.0.0    watson.ppe.telemetry.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0    wes.df.telemetry.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0    vortex-bn2.metron.live.com.nsatc.net
0.0.0.0    vortex-cy2.metron.live.com.nsatc.net
0.0.0.0    watson.live.com
0.0.0.0    watson.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0    feedback.search.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0    feedback.windows.com
0.0.0.0    corp.sts.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0    diagnostics.support.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0    i1.services.social.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0    i1.services.social.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
0.0.0.0    vortex-bn2.metron.live.com.nsatc.net
0.0.0.0    vortex-cy2.metron.live.com.nsatc.net
0.0.0.0    ca.telemetry.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0    cache.datamart.windows.com
0.0.0.0    diagnostics.support.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0    spynet2.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0    spynetalt.microsoft.com
# End of entries inserted by Spybot Anti-Beacon for Windows 10

I stand corrected.

 

[V_R]

I never did re install Anti Beacon...

Ian, there is this: https://www.oo-software.com/en/shutup10

But tbh i wouldn't use any of them, they break more than they fix.

https://www.howtogeek.com/273513/why-you-shouldn't-use-anti-spying-tools-for-windows-10/

IMO.


I do however still use this:

FWIW, I always use the host file from MVPS - http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.htm - have done for years. That along with uBlock Origin (Chrome) (not uBlock) and I can't remember the last time I saw an advert.

Edit: @Ian Just FYI, I had a bit of an issue posting this, then had 'Site unavailable' - did the website just fall over?

.

 

[nivrip]

I



Edit: @Ian Just FYI, I had a bit of an issue posting this, then had 'Site unavailable' - did the website just fall over?

.

I think it did as I too had problems for a few minutes. OK now though.

 

[V_R]

Yeah its fine now. I'm sure Ian will have been notified that something happened.

 

[Ian]

That article makes some good points, I'll probably just stick to configuring things within settings, now that there is a little more control over things. I noticed that fresh installations of W10 give a lot more control over what happens with data now, which is nice to see.

Just FYI, I had a bit of an issue posting this, then had 'Site unavailable' - did the website just fall over?

Yeah its fine now. I'm sure Ian will have been notified that something happened.

I haven't had an alert e-mail, so it could have been down for less than 1 min and not detected by the monitoring software - I'll check out the logs just in case though . Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Robert leo]

I saw a couple of peculiarities as well, especially with the "discretionary" sections. There give off an impression of being a great deal of sections added to the HOSTS record, which squares valuable administrations. I've now just inoculated the "assurance" sections.