Windscribe's 'deGDID' Script Blocks Microsoft's Windows Tracker
Windscribe, a VPN provider, has created an open-source script called 'deGDID' to block Microsoft's Global Device Identifier (GDID) tracking on Windows. The script erases existing identifiers and blocks new ones from being created, but may break some Microsoft cloud services. The move follows a federal case where GDID helped the FBI catch an alleged hacker, raising concerns about the tracker's implications.
Key points
- Windscribe, a VPN provider, has developed an open-source script called 'deGDID' to block Microsoft's Global Device Identifier (GDID) tracking on Windows.
- The script erases existing GDID identifiers and blocks new ones from being created, but may break some Microsoft cloud services.
- The move follows a federal case where GDID helped the FBI catch an alleged hacker, raising concerns about the tracker's implications.
- The script is available on GitHub and can be run via PowerShell with admin privileges.
- Windscribe's 'deGDID' script has sparked debate about the balance between security and user privacy.
Windscribe's 'deGDID' script has made waves in the tech community by blocking Microsoft's Global Device Identifier (GDID) tracking on Windows. The script, available on GitHub, erases existing GDID identifiers and blocks new ones from being created, but may break some Microsoft cloud services.
The move follows a federal case where GDID helped the FBI catch an alleged hacker, raising concerns about the tracker's implications. Windscribe's decision to develop the script highlights the ongoing debate about the balance between security and user privacy.
The script's functionality is straightforward, with three main execution flags: –Status, which checks if a GDID is active; –Status –Redact, which generates logs with the GDID redacted; and –Protect, which completely wipes the GDID and prevents new ones from being created. A fourth flag, –Unprotect, allows users to reverse the script in case they need to revert back to the default state.
Sources
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