How to block Microsoft SpyNet

This is not something new, I would like to post again here so that Windows 7 or Vista users aware about this. Normally the intrusion prevention in your systems will alerting when SpyNet is pinging.

Microsoft Security Essentials

Microsoft Security Essentials is the latest avatar of Microsoft antispyware. It is a signature based free antimalware software that can be used to protect your system against potential threats, such as viruses, spyware, and other potentially unwanted software.

Microsoft Spynet

When you first install Microsoft Security Essentials you agree to become a part of this unfortunately named community of Windows Defender and Microsoft Security Essentials users. Microsoft SpyNet helps Microsoft in differentiating a malware program from a legitimate program based on inputs automatically collected from the Microsoft SpyNet members.

There are two types of memberships basic and advanced. As a basic member -which is the default- your copy of Microsoft Security Essentials “sends basic information to Microsoft about software that Microsoft Security Essentials detects, including where the software came from, the actions that you apply or that Microsoft Security Essentials applies automatically, and whether the actions were successful. In some instances, personal information might unintentionally be sent to Microsoft. However, Microsoft will not use this information to identify you or to contact you.”

An advanced member sends more information in addition to what is stated above and again “in some instances, personal information might unintentionally be sent to Microsoft.” Microsoft Security Essentials also collects standard computer information, which includes information about your computer software and hardware, such as your IP address, operating system, Web browser software, and version.”

There is no option not to participate in the SpyNet community. Microsoft Security Essentials privacy policy confirms that “to continue using Microsoft Security Essentials, you will need to remain a member of this online community.”

The mandatory enrolling of members in the SpyNet community makes many people to see red and seek ways to disable Microsoft SpyNet without losing the functionality of Microsoft Security Essentials.

Blocking Microsoft SpyNet without losing functionality

According to Microsoft documentation “The online Microsoft SpyNet community helps you see how other people respond to software that has not yet been classified for risks. You can use this information to help you choose whether to allow this software on your computer. In turn, if you participate, your choices are added to the community ratings to help other people decide what to do. ” The community also helps stop the spread of new infections.

This means that if you block Microsoft SpyNet your choices in rating the programs that you run are NOT added to the community while you use other people’s choices to respond to potential threats. If you really want to do this, proceed further.

There are two ways to go about this. One is through editing the registry and the other is by entering couple of entries to your hosts file.

Block Microsoft SpyNet by editing the Registry

All caveats about editing the Windows registry apply here. Before you edit the registry, export the keys in the registry that you plan to edit, or back up the whole registry. How to back up and restore the registry in Windows

Type regedit in the run command box and press enter to open the registry editor. Navigate and select the following key on the left pane:

Reference: www.malwarehelp.org