Microsoft Active Protection Service: Difference between revisions

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{{short description|Windows Defender and Microsoft Security Essentials user network}}

'''Microsoft SpyNet''' is the network of [[Windows Defender]] (formerly [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] AntiSpyware) users that help determine which programs are classified as [[spyware]]. The signatures created for any submitted programs by the users of the product are available to all users, displayed as a bar graph that shows the percentage of people who have allowed, blocked, or removed an item. This method of spyware classification allows even the most rare spyware to be categorized as most people choose to send their data.

{{More citations needed|date=March 2025}}

'''Microsoft Active Protection Service''' (abbreviated '''MAPS''' and formerly known as '''Microsoft SpyNet''') is the network of [[Windows Defender]] and [[Microsoft Security Essentials]] users that help determine which programs are classified as [[spyware]].<ref name="m520">{{cite book |last=Bruzzese |first=J.P. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=W_S664YfvqMC&pg=PT187 |title=Using Microsoft Windows 7, Enhanced Edition |publisher=Pearson Education |year=2011 |isbn=978-0-13-291860-2 |series=Using |page=187 |access-date=2025-03-03}}</ref><ref name="c688">{{cite book |last=Piltzecker |first=A. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qYR4LJuo4XYC&pg=PA77 |title=Microsoft Vista for IT Security Professionals |publisher=Syngress |year=2011 |isbn=978-0-08-055614-7 |page=77 |access-date=2025-03-03}}</ref><ref name="n204">{{cite book |last=De Clercq |first=J. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8MkwSmOYi6QC&pg=PA209 |title=Microsoft Windows Security Fundamentals: For Windows 2003 SP1 and R2 |last2=Grillenmeier |first2=G. |publisher=Digital Press |year=2011 |isbn=978-0-08-049188-2 |page=209 |access-date=2025-03-03}}</ref><ref name="a977">{{cite book |last=Miller |first=M. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3mJtJrYrTLsC&pg=SA20-PA22 |title=Microsoft Windows 7 Your Way: Speed Up and Customize Windows |publisher=Pearson Education |year=2009 |isbn=978-0-7686-9544-1 |page=20-PA22 |access-date=2025-03-03}}</ref> The signatures created for any submitted programs by the users of the product are available to all users, displayed as a bar graph that shows the percentage of people who have allowed, blocked, or removed an item. This method of spyware classification allows rare, unknown, or new spyware to be categorized as most people choose to send their data.

==Basic Membership==

One of the SpyNet choices in Windows Defender. This choice does not alert the user of software, and changes made by software that has not been analyzed for risks. Windows Defender sends some usage information, but does use your personal information.

==AdvancedBasic Membershipmembership==

AnotherThe SpyNetbasic MAPS membership choice in Windows Defender. Thisor choiceMicrosoft sendsSecurity moreEssentials informationdoes aboutnot softwarealert files,the usageuser of software, and howchanges itmade affectsby yoursoftware computerthat has not been analyzed for risks. PersonalComputer information is sent (such as IP address, operating system, and Web browser), and personal information might be sent unintentionally(such as search terms or data entered into forms), but will not be used to personally identify you or contact you.

==Advanced membership==

==Not Joining SpyNet==

Of course you can always refuse to join SpyNet and not send information regarding your software. This might not be the best choice, if you are not sure on letting the program sending your personal information, '''Basic Membership''' would be a better choice.

The advanced MAPS membership choice in Windows Defender or Microsoft Security Essentials results in sending more information about software files, usage, and how it affects your computer. Computer information is sent (such as IP address, operating system, and Web browser), and personal information might be sent (such as search terms, data entered into forms, file paths, or partial memory dumps), but will not be used to identify you or contact you.

==Opt out==

Users of Microsoft Security Essentials can opt out by left clicking on the task bar icon, choose ''settings'', ''spynet'' and then choose opt-out. Included in the v2.0 there is the ability to completely opt out of this program.

==References==

{{reflist}}

==External links==

*[http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/about/faq.mspx#EIG Joining Windows Defender voting network]

*[http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=83339 Microsoft Client Security Privacy Policy]{{Dead link|date=April 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

[[Category:Microsoft software|Active Protection Service]]

[[de:SpyNet (Microsoft)]]