Outlook safety warning

Discussion in 'Computer Corner' started by ricky101, Nov 10, 2023.

  1. ricky101

    ricky101 Total Gardener

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    Just received a warning from our email provider -

    Due to its high relevance, we are exceptionally sending this information ....

    There is currently a very clear warning against installing the new free Outlook programme from Microsoft. By doing so, you risk transferring both your access data to your e-mail inbox and your e-mails to Microsoft servers.

    Thankfully we do not use Outlook but if you do use it with Windows11 then worth reading more about it here and on other web pages.

    https://cybernews.com/privacy/new-outlook-copies-user-emails-to-microsoft-cloud/
     
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    • Fat Controller

      Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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      It isn't really a risk in terms of security risk etc, it is merely that Outlook will back-up to Microsoft servers as it is part of the Office 365 suite and you can then access your email, online, from anywhere in the world. Indeed, if you have concerns about Microsoft servers having any of your data, then you're kinda knackered as almost every business and indeed even government agencies (NHS, DVLA etc) all use Microsoft software including Office 365 and including versions of One Drive.
       
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      • ricky101

        ricky101 Total Gardener

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        Bit surprised our email provider sent such a message, though as said does not affect us.

        Feeling MS is becoming too invasive, the latest W11 updates giving us Copilot which again a lot of web comment about it also harvesting our data, unless we disable it.

        Although always known MS,Google,Facebook/Whats App harvest our data, seems they are becoming more and more invasive.

        Wonder if using Linux will make life easier as the latest distros seem quiet well loaded with a good selection of standard apps; though appreciate we will still have a little exposure to MS/Google/FB prying.
         
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        • Fat Controller

          Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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          To be fair, everything is becoming far too invasive nowadays, right down to the way you spend your money. I have a credit card that is one of those 30-day interest free jobs (so you pay it in full each month) which is really handy as it means you don't end up sticking yourself with a heap of debt - the downside is that it tells you the carbon footprint of everything you buy with it and almost tells you off for some purchases - - what business is it of any bank/financial institution what I spend my money on?

          Tesco Clubcard is also the same - right down to wanting to know your location when you are in the store, pushing you to use their app instead of the plastic card... and don't get me started on cars that don't have any physical buttons in them!
           
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          • RichD

            RichD Apprentice Gardener

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            This is pretty irrelevant from a security and privacy perspective. SMTP, the protocol used for email is not secure so the content of any email can be read by any sever used to transfer the email from the sending to the destination email server. Emails are only encrypted at rest on the mail server, unless you use an encrypted mail service.
             
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            • Drahcir

              Drahcir Gardener

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                Last edited: Feb 16, 2024
              • pete

                pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                You know I'm glad I'm ignorant, otherwise I might worry about stuff like this. :biggrin:

                I've not used outlook for years and get my emails from the the actual Web mail sites that I use.
                I guess they all spy on us, it's to be expected these days.
                 
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                • RichD

                  RichD Apprentice Gardener

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                  it really isn’t. SMTP is not an encrypted protocol so the content of EVERY email you send can be read by any server that the message touches. In short if you are worried about privacy you shouldn’t be sending it via email
                   
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                  • Fat Controller

                    Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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                    Agreed. As mentioned above, tech for tech's sake as well as things that infringe on our privacy far beyond that of any email servers have been creeping into our daily lives for a very long time.
                     
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                    • Fat Controller

                      Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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                      If you find it unacceptable, don't use it.
                       
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                      • shiney

                        shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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                        As a very non-tech person, if I worried about all the tech and who was watching/listening I would lock myself away in a room and never come out :heehee:

                        I tend to keep away from most tech unless it is something a really need. Then I try to never use it for important things.

                        If someone wants to read my emails they are welcome to do so. It would bore them to death! :whistle:
                         
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                        • Drahcir

                          Drahcir Gardener

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                          Perhaps you'll explain what part of my comment that addresses, i'd be interested.
                           
                        • Fat Controller

                          Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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                          It addresses this bit:
                          upload_2023-11-11_16-24-35.png

                          Nobody is holding a gun to your head to use Outlook - if you feel that their handling is unacceptable, then don't use their product. Hope that helps.
                           
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                          • shiney

                            shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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                            I don't know about anyone else but as I don't understand a lot of the technical stuff I tend to look more at the wording of magazine articles. It seems to me that it could be similar to a lot of articles where they quote someone as gospel and then start to cover their backsides just in case. :noidea:

                            "At first sight ......... and might (:rolleyespink:) even be deemed illegal in some countries, ....... However, an in-depth investigation into privacy policy and chain of events is needed to confirm or deny the allegations in the article,....."

                            They then seem to tell you how you can avoid it. :scratch:

                            "Outlook users who do not want to sync their data with Microsoft should choose the option “Sync directly with [Provider]” while setting up new accounts."


                            What little I can understand seems to refer to synching to the Cloud - which I don't do. :)

                            I suppose that now I'm going to be told that I have got it all wrong. :heehee:
                             
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                            • ricky101

                              ricky101 Total Gardener

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                              Like what @shiney has just said, we are also not deeply into such things, however as our email provider, whom we assume has a good knowledge of such matters. has troubled to send out the above warning to all its users, we assume it must be a potential threat to W11 Outlook users.


                              Always appreciative of any suggestions on how to stay safer online over and above the usual general advice offered.
                               
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                                Last edited: Nov 11, 2023
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