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WiFi Sense - a terrible feature!

Discussion in 'Windows 10' started by IvanH, 2015/07/29.

  1. 2015/07/29
    IvanH

    IvanH Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    Windows 10 will share the WiFi password AUTOMATICALLY through the new WiFi Sense feature. It's absolutely terrible and unacceptable!

    Now, my question is, without changing the SSID to include the text "_optout" somewhere, the password should have leaked to Microsoft's database and disseminated to the world in seconds. Can it be reversed?
     
  2. 2015/07/30
    lj50 Lifetime Subscription

    lj50 SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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    Disabling Wi-Fi Sense

    If you do not want to have Wi-Fi Sense enabled for your Windows 10 device, you can disable it within the settings. Click on the Start menu and hit "Settings." Then click on "Wi-Fi" under "Network & Internet." Under "Manage Wi-Fi Settings," you will see options to connect to suggested open hotspots and connect to networks shared by your contacts. You can also select which networks that you want to share your password with, including Outlook, Skype and Facebook contacts. To completely disable Wi-Fi Sense, make sure to disable all of those options.

    Opting your Wi-Fi network out of Wi-Fi Sense is a bit more challenging. If you do not want Wi-Fi Sense to use your Wi-Fi network, you will need to include "_optout" in the Wi-Fi network name (SSID) by logging into your router settings. For example, if your Wi-Fi network name is "Home," then it should be renamed to "Home_opout.â€
     
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  4. 2015/07/30
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

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  5. 2015/07/31
    IvanH

    IvanH Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    Thank you lj50 and Evan Omo.

    I spent some time testing this issue.

    1. It's too late to change the settings AFTER Windows 10 installation / upgrade because the WiFi password has been disseminated.

    2. "_optout" is not a solution other than in a home / small network environment. You can't do progressive Windows 10 upgrade to 10s to 100s of PCs. Eventually, what I did was to enable the Guest Network, which included "_optout" at the end of the SSID name.

    3. I tried on a GBE environment connecting to Internet. But I'm not sure that those WiFi networks previously connected will be disseminated already.

    4. I tried fresh installation / upgrade of Windows 10 from VMware Fusion 7 environment. So, Windows 7, 8.1 and Windows 10 treated the connecting network a non-WiFi network.

    5. In the above tests, no Facebook, no Outlook contacts except myself.

    I don't like WiFi Sense. I didn't aware its presence on the Technical Preview.
     
  6. 2015/08/01
    basketcase Contributing Member

    basketcase Well-Known Member

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    I did the customize settings install option and didn't allow anything to be shared, but now I'm prompted to go back and double check.

    Oh the joys of an upgrade...
     
  7. 2015/08/01
    IvanH

    IvanH Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    Hmmm....

    All a sudden, I can use some of my neighbours' WiFi networks, at THEIR costs of course. I can even terminate my Internet connection and save $50 a month. I can have VoIP, Skype, FaceTime and enjoy my Netflix, Stan and Apple TV movie streaming.

    I may also have uTorrent to download illegal movies, at my neighbours' responsibilities.

    Wait! What about someone surfs on pornography through my WiFi network? I may know them but I definitely don't allow them to use MY network to do such things.

    Also, my smartphone will choose the strongest WiFi signal to connect. My WiFi router is strongest in the precinct, and will unfortunately connected with devices unknown to me, or simply overloaded.
     
  8. 2015/08/01
    Steve R Jones

    Steve R Jones SuperGeek Staff

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    I and no one I know is testing Win 10... You must live in a real high tech area.
     

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