- User nashashmi [1]:
So this kid uses his home computer at his home, and they trace him down with
the IP address, and the IP address also makes a request for Windows Updates.
And that narrows down the Device ID. The device id is now traced to this kid.
That seems more likely, I hope, than Edge/Windows secretly telemetering your GDID and every URL you visit to Redmond. It's a huge privacy hole still, but they can plausibly deny they set out to track you across the web using their OS.[1] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48815196#48818368
- > The ID is generated when Windows is set up with a Microsoft Account
So not only was this “hacker” using Windows and Edge, they singed in to windows with a Microsoft account. And then used that same computer for their social media. Nice.
by 1970-01-01
1 subcomments
- >The Global Device Identifier (GDID) is a permanent ID assigned when Windows provisions against a Microsoft Account.
So again, the "make an account" is the part you ALWAYS skip. Local accounts or it technically isn't even a PC anymore.
by londons_explore
4 subcomments
- How exactly does Microsoft link their gdid to a hotel booking?
Hotels last I saw don't collect an obscure gdid...
Did this victim use edge and sync their browser history or something perhaps?
by AlienRobot
0 subcomment
- They caught a 19 year old hacker that uses Edge, and all it took was the privacy of 1.4 billion Windows users.
by ChrisArchitect
1 subcomments
- Discussions:
Microsoft admits Windows 11 has a GDID tracker with no off switch
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48872561
Full Writeup of the Windows GDID
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48811081
Microsoft Can Track Users via a Windows Device ID
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48815196
- How does the GDID compare to the UDID (Unique Device Identifier) and serial number in iOS; and the Apple Hardware UUID and serial number of Macs?
by globalnode
1 subcomments
- i wont even dual boot windows on my linux machine, dont trust them not to vacuum up my linux drive data when i boot into windows. also just recently discovered their attempt to hijack the entire pc industry with secure boot, they are consistent gotta give them that. why do i have microsoft keys installed on my motherboard when im not even using windows.
- They say this is also sent with Windows Update checks, which happen frequently per day, and I think also when you initially connect to a network, so that’s a clear way they could tie the ID back to any IP address you’re using.
by ChrisArchitect
0 subcomment
- [dupe] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48872561
by peter_stokes
0 subcomment
- the criminal complaint: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndil/media/1450651/dl?inline
page 18 answers many of the questions in this thread.
- One more proof that Windows is malware.
- At it again!
- How is this not a the mother of all GDPR violations?
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