What is Microsoft Edge Spy?

Microsoft Edge, like many other web browsers, collects various types of data from users when they surf the internet. This data can be used for a variety of purposes, including improving the browser's performance, providing personalized experiences, and offering targeted advertisements. However, some of this data collection may raise concerns about user privacy.

One of the key findings in a recent study was that Microsoft Edge sends the hardware UUID of the device to Microsoft, which is a unique identifier that can be used to link requests and associated IP addresses to backend servers. This means that Microsoft has the ability to track users' internet activities over time. Furthermore, Yandex, another browser studied in the research, transmits a hashed hardware identifier to its backend servers.

In contrast, Safari was found to make no extraneous network connections and did not transmit any persistent identifiers. However, it's worth noting that iCloud processes on Safari devices do make connections containing identifiers. This is important because these identifiers can be used to track users' activities over time.

From a privacy perspective, Microsoft Edge and Yandex are qualitatively different from the other browsers studied. Microsoft Edge defaults to a start page that leaks information to multiple third parties and allows them to set cookies without any user consent. Additionally, Firefox maintains an open websocket for push notifications that is linked to a unique identifier, which can be used for tracking purposes.

Another concerning aspect of Firefox's behavior is its telemetry feature. While it can be disabled, it is silently enabled by default. This means that users may not even know that their browsing data is being sent to backend servers. Furthermore, Firefox includes identifiers in its telemetry transmissions that can potentially be used to link user activities over time.

The study concluded that while Microsoft Edge did not share details of web pages visited with backend servers, it did send persistent identifiers that could be used for tracking purposes. In contrast, Chrome, Firefox, and Safari all share details of web pages visited with backend servers.

Overall, the findings of this study suggest that users should be cautious when using Microsoft Edge and other browsers that collect and transmit sensitive data. It's essential to understand how our personal information is being used and to take steps to protect our privacy online.

What is microsoft edge spy