GDID is the persistent Windows ID that helped FBI trace a Scattered Spider hacker despite VPNs. Here's how it works and how to limit it.
  • cley_faye@lemmy.worldEnglish
    4·
    1 hour ago

    I was gonna comment something about Linux distro also having a machine ID, but then I remembered that it’s not in a big database, and it’s so well enforced I routinely have multiple machines with the same ID pop up :D

  • EpicMuch@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    7·
    2 hours ago

    My laptop came with Win11, I’ve removed that drive a few months ago and replaced it with Mint.

    Does this mean MS has my motherboard, WiFi, other hardware identifiers that would still tie that laptop to their database?

    • TeddE@lemmy.worldEnglish
      7·
      1 hour ago

      Yup!

      Motherboard, CPU, GPU models and serial numbers. Ram size and speed. Those were used during Windows activation as old as windows 95. But likely yes, a full list of every component connected.

      Your Android phone collects every WiFi network it has ever seen and sends it to Google, so we should assume Microsoft does the same (Android can locate you without GPS by using your neighbors’ WiFi signals as position identifiers, and can triangulate you to a few feet using the relative networks’ signal strengths)

    • cley_faye@lemmy.worldEnglish
      3·
      1 hour ago

      If it was registered, probably. They use a mixture of that to allow re-enabling the same license on the same hardware.

  • Semotto@lemmy.worldEnglish
    3·
    3 hours ago

    He’ so stupid for sending ransomware and logging into snapchat/facebook from the same laptop without even using VMs

  • db2@lemmy.worldEnglish
    31·
    6 hours ago

    So they’re saying that all these “secret” societies online, like the Peter Thiel psychopathy, are relatively easily identified and rounded up and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, and they’re just choosing not to do it? I’m shocked.

  • the_riviera_kid@lemmy.worldEnglish
    182·
    6 hours ago

    The level of naivete to think it’s a good idea using a microsoft account on a microsoft product for your illegal activity is astounding. Especially when you consider the amount of technical knowledge required to do such a thing.

    I legitimately cannot make that connection, Microsoft has never been shy about tracking you or their tight relationship with 3 letter agencies. It doesn’t take a genius to know they are going to snitch, I figured that was a foregone conclusion.

    Kids need to learn about OPSEC.

  • TemplaerDude@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    4·
    4 hours ago

    It is truly god damn unfortunate that Microsoft has spent decades fostering a level of technical ineptitude among the average person that they cannot even consider getting off their fucking shit ass platform that “just works”. Because that is the real problem. So many people on here will say “just use Linux!” But the vast majority of people cannot fathom where to even start with that and won’t even consider it because Windows “just works” and it has done so for so long that people just can’t be bothered.

    • grinning_serpent@lemmy.worldEnglish
      3·
      4 hours ago

      It’s easier than ever to use Linux these days and Lemmy certainly doesn’t lack for penguin faithful that’ll proselytize and condemn you to computer-hell if you don’t adopt their religion.

      But the “”“problem”“” is that Windows works okay for the vast majority of users. Most of the annoying parts of W11 can be changed or disabled within the OS itself, without needing special tools or knowledge. And I think that the vast majority of users don’t even care enough to do that. We use stock W11 at work and while the “new” style right menus and shit are annoying, they still function fine.

      Windows likely won’t lose serious market share until prebuilt PCs come with Linux instead of Windows installed. Especially the non-gaming prebuilts.