SmartScreen off? Microsoft strives to improve the security of Windows 10 and is constantly releasing new features and settings for its operating system. Many of them are supposed to provide to users additional controls about how Windows manages their data.
Recently, however, one security researcher discovered something that could worry many Windows 10 users.
Microsoft Edge that comes pre-installed on Windows 10 sends the full URLs of the websites you visit to Microsoft, according to a security researcher.
The data sent by the Microsoft browser includes not only the information of each page you visit, but also the SID, which means security ID, according to a Publication by researcher Matt Weeks on Twitter.
When SmartScreen is turned on, the URL you are trying to load into the browser is sent to Microsoft for analysis, and other information, such as the security ID or SID, is "gone" along with it.
In Windows, SID is a unique identifier associated with your account, so by sending it to Microsoft, the company could know exactly which user is visiting which page through Microsoft Edge.
What exactly does SmartScreen do?
The feature analyzes the links you open with Microsoft Edge and compares them to a list of websites the company has labeled as dangerous. If you try to load a dangerous page, the browser will show you a prenotice to inform you of the risks to which you may be exposed if you continue on the website.
The security feature sounds great, but it also uses SID, which is not necessary for your protection.
How to turn off SmartScreen in Windows 10
Disabling SmartScreen in Windows 10 is simple.
In the framework of search of Windows next to menu Start type Windows Security and press enter. Open the internal application.
Next, you must follow the path:
Windows Security - Application & Browser Control - SmartScreen for Microsoft Edge
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Windows Security - App & browser control - SmartScreen for Microsoft Edge
By default, the function is set to the Warn level, so you must turn it off:
When turned off, SmartScreen will not send information to Microsoft, so the URLs that contain your SID will not be parsed.
Needless to say, disabling a security feature is not the best option, but on the other hand, if you are concerned about privacy you can use this little tweak until Microsoft explains what is happening.
Of course a different way is to change the browser.
