Total Defense a global leader in Internet security, today announced the launch of the Total Defense Privacy Shield, a free tool to help users manage the serious privacy issues that are inherent to Windows 10. When users follow the recommended installation for new or upgrading devices on Windows 10, the default settings enable a lengthy list of actions that impinge on the user's privacy. Manually adjusting these privacy settings is a complex and painstaking task, one that is likely not attempted by many users. Total Defense Privacy Shield is designed to make it easier for users to alter these settings for optimal protection.
"Privacy is a growing problem for end users, consumers need the ability to control what personal information is shared and how it is used," said Larry Guerin EVP and General Manager at Total Defense. "This is why we're offering Total Defense Privacy Shield for free, so users can take greater control of their private data. Windows 10 is set up to collect and share users' private data by default, and we feel consumers should have more control. Our industry-leading expertise in security allowed us to develop this Total Defense Privacy Shield which simplifies their privacy settings within Windows 10."
According to Microsoft®, more than 75 million devices are using Windows 10. The recommended Windows 10 setup avoids all reference to embedded use tracking functions, so the user is effectively unaware of related privacy issues. Total Defense Privacy Shield allows users to easily modify Windows 10 default settings of concern including:
Stopping online tracking which is built into Windows 10 devices for advertising profiling purposes.
Preventing network bandwidth drain caused by Windows 10 leveraging a user's bandwidth to complete updates for other users' Windows 10 devices.
Stops Cortana (Microsoft's version of Siri) which is designed to capture preferences.
Prevents apps from accessing the user's detailed Microsoft account information.
Disables Microsoft's new Wi-Fi Sense feature that connects devices automatically to nearby open networks and auto-shares credentials with friends.
"Most consumers are unaware of how computing technology works, potentially exposing their data, personal interests and online behavior," said Tom Neary, VP Product Management. "Windows 10's recommended setup enables a broad swath of privacy compromising settings, without informing the user or requesting explicit consent. Complicating matters, privacy controls are scattered throughout the user interface. So users are hard pressed to secure their settings even if they know there is a problem. We designed the Total Defense Privacy Shield to greatly improve privacy within Windows 10 with the simplicity of a single click."
