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Re: Last chance for Windows

Cross-posted to 4 groups.

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On 01/02/2025 01:21, Brock McNuggets wrote:
> On Jan 31, 2025 at 5:09:07 PM MST, "David" wrote
> <m05713FdbhdU1@mid.individual.net>:
> 
>> On 31/01/2025 21:30, David wrote:
>>> On 31/01/2025 18:03, ...w¡ñ§±¤ñ wrote:
>>>> FromTheRafters wrote on 1/31/25 9:08 AM:
>>>>> on 1/31/2025, David supposed :
>>>>>> On 31/01/2025 12:41, Chris wrote:
>>>>>>> John C. <r9jmg0@yahoo.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>> First of all, please note that I'm *not* asking for help in
>>>>>>>> dealing with
>>>>>>>> any of the issues I mention in this post.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I don't know why I'm bothering to write this. I guess I'm just
>>>>>>>> exasperated with all the problems I've been having with Windows 10
>>>>>>>> Pro.
>>>>>>>> In all the time I've been using Windows (since 3.0), it's never been
>>>>>>>> this bad.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Currently I am suffering from a corrupt user account profile. I don't
>>>>>>>> know how this occurred, but I do know how to deal with it. And it's a
>>>>>>>> huge task migrating doing so, involving migration of settings to a
>>>>>>>> new
>>>>>>>> account. But this isn't the only issue I'm experiencing.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I also have a corrupt install of OneDrive on my system. This
>>>>>>>> Microsoft
>>>>>>>> malware is definitely installed, but I can't remove it because
>>>>>>>> it's not
>>>>>>>> listed in Programs and Features or Settings/Apps. Thus, I can't
>>>>>>>> uninstall it. And yes, this Microsoft malware exists on my SSD but
>>>>>>>> attempting to simply delete its folders fails. And no, I don't have a
>>>>>>>> malware infection from another source.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> This second problem is so bad, that I'm now going to have to do a
>>>>>>>> completely fresh reinstall of W10 Pro and all my programs. I know
>>>>>>>> how to
>>>>>>>> do this, so PLEASE, no advice. I already have researched this ad
>>>>>>>> nauseum.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> So here's what I have to say:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> IMHO, here are reasons why Windows has reached a point where it's no
>>>>>>>> longer a viable operating system for me:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> -Windows code has gotten so complex that at this point, it's
>>>>>>>> impossible
>>>>>>>> for Microsoft to maintain.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> -Forced updates have cause issues for so many end-users, that many
>>>>>>>> people have simply given up and moved to either Apple or Linux.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> -Feature elimination and overall regressions in functionality have
>>>>>>>> led
>>>>>>>> to to a failure on the part of the OS to do its job.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> -Microsoft's not-so-hidden agendas of:
>>>>>>>> 1. being so obsessed with maximizing their profits that they see end
>>>>>>>> users basically only as opponent to that goal
>>>>>>>> 2. acquiring information about end users WITHOUT THEIR PERMISSION
>>>>>>>> 3. cooperating with three-letter-agencies around the world to provide
>>>>>>>> them with that information
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> continually lead to their making seriously bad OS development
>>>>>>>> choices.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> And now, on top of all this, Microsoft has been taken over by the
>>>>>>>> country of India. If you don't believe me, of course you're free to
>>>>>>>> disagree but IMO you're simply wrong. This takeover is blatantly
>>>>>>>> obvious
>>>>>>>> to anybody with half a brain.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> At any rate, this fresh reinstall of Windows that I'm about to embark
>>>>>>>> upon is the last chance I will be giving to Microsoft and Windows.
>>>>>>>> If it
>>>>>>>> fails for *any* reason, I will follow others in migrating away it.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I would certainly recommend macOS because for those of us that have
>>>>>>> to use
>>>>>>> MS tools for work they are much more stable on macOS. I think it's
>>>>>>> to do
>>>>>>> with the fact they can't have hooks all over the OS like they do in
>>>>>>> windows
>>>>>>> so stick to their corner and just work. That does include oneDrive and
>>>>>>> Sharepoint.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> As you know, Chris, I migrated to macOS when I bought my first iMac in
>>>>>> 2009. Just as you say, for the most part, my Mac "just works"!
>>>>>>
>>>>>> What I did NOT realise, until this past week, is that Microsoft's
>>>>>> oneDrive is the equivalent of Apple's iCloud!
>>>>>
>>>>> Equivalent meaning 'cloud storage' then yes.
>>>>>
>>>>>> Am I right in thinking that neither Microsoft, nor any third-party
>>>>>> scanner, can access and scan for malware any file stored in/on
>>>>>> 'oneDrive'?
>>>>>
>>>>> Unless the scanner also cracks the encryption, which they cannot,
>>>>> scanning won't find anything. You should decrypt and scan locally
>>>>> before executing.
>>>>>
>>>>>> In other words, a great place for malware to hide!
>>>>>
>>>>> Data at rest cannot do anything untoward.
>>>>
>>>> OneDrive
>>>>    => Files are scanned by the Exchange Platform's Windows Defender
>>>> Storage when uploaded, opened, and downloaded. If Windows is the
>>>> upload source or download recipient, Windows Security(included
>>>> Defender) also scans the files(before upload, before local save or
>>>> sync). Additionally, unless excluded, automatic Windows Security
>>>> 'Quick Scan', or manual 'Full Scan', scans OneDrive local
>>>> folder(existing, synced files). Windows Security 'Custom Scan' scans
>>>> the user choice of files and/or folders.
>>>
>>> Of this I was completely unaware.
>>>
>>> If Microsoft can do this (and I have no reason to doubt your word) it
>>> doesn't take too much imagination to recognise that, if they wish,
>>> Microsoft can monitor and understand everything that a computer user
>>> does if the user connects their computer to the Internet.
>>>
>>>
>>>> Windows 10 group removed. Not Win10 unique, its been the same for
>>>> OneDrive and SkyDrive ever since the backend server was switched to
>>>> the Exchange Platform circa Win8 release and backported to support
>>>> Windows 7(OneDrive installable program) and Microsoft Win7 included
>>>> Security Essentials.
>>>
>>> Thank you. Two groups added and Windows 10 replaced.
>>>
>>> If Microsoft can, and DOES, do this, why does Apple not have a similar
>>> ability?
>>>
>>> *Somebody* might know!
>>
>> Does Microsoft REALLY scan OneDrive for malware?
> 
> Been covered: it is encrypted so it cannot be scanned.

That is understood.

>> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OneDrive
>>
>> OneDrive doesn't sound NEARLY as safe from prying eyes as the Apple iCloud!
> 
> It likely is not. Apple focuses heavily on privacy (and even they make goofs).

Have you ever reviewed the work of Patrick Wardle?

Do you read articles like this?
https://9to5mac.com/2025/01/02/what-malware-your-mac-can-remove/

Patrick Wardle is a well-respected security researcher with extensive 
experience in macOS security. His research has demonstrated that Macs 
**can** be vulnerable to malware, particularly through social 
engineering, supply chain attacks, and unpatched vulnerabilities. While 
macOS has strong built-in security features (such as Gatekeeper, 
XProtect, and System Integrity Protection), these defenses are *not 
foolproof*

The Apple Support Communities View

Many contributors to the Apple Support Communities forums believe that 
third-party antivirus (AV) software is unnecessary for macOS, often 
arguing that:
1. **macOS has built-in security** that is sufficient for most users.
2. **AV software can cause system slowdowns** and compatibility issues.
3. **Mac malware is rare compared to Windows malware** and is usually 
preventable by practicing good security hygiene.
4. **Some AV software itself can be invasive** and may create more 
security risks than it mitigates.

My View

Both perspectives have merit. Whether a Mac user *needs* additional 
anti-malware software depends on their use case.

- **If you only download software from the Mac App Store or trusted 
sources, avoid shady websites, and practice good security habits, 
Apple's built-in defenses may be sufficient.**
- **If you frequently install third-party software, open email 
attachments from unknown sources, or engage in high-risk activities 
(e.g., software development, cybersecurity research), additional 
security layers may be justified.**

For *everyday users*, I think using tools like Malwarebytes (free for 
manual scans) or Patrick Wardle’s free security tools (e.g., LuLu, 
KnockKnock, and RansomWhere?) can add lightweight protection without 
causing system slowdowns.

For power users or businesses, tools like Objective-See’s security 
suite, ClamXAV, or even a full-fledged enterprise solution might be 
warranted.

Would you agree with this balanced approach?

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Re: Last chance for Windows David <David@example.net> - 2025-01-31 21:30 +0000
  Re: Last chance for Windows David <David@example.net> - 2025-02-01 00:09 +0000
    Re: Last chance for Windows Brock McNuggets <brock.mcnuggets@gmail.com> - 2025-02-01 01:21 +0000
      Re: Last chance for Windows David <David@example.net> - 2025-02-01 08:24 +0000
        Re: Last chance for Windows David Brooks <David@nomail.afraid.org> - 2025-02-04 22:45 +0000
  Re: Last chance for Windows Nioclás Pól Caileán de Ghloucester <Master_Fontaine_is_dishonest@Strand_in_London.Gov.UK> - 2025-02-01 14:00 +0100
    Re: Last chance for Windows Nioclás Pól Caileán de Ghloucester <Master_Fontaine_is_dishonest@Strand_in_London.Gov.UK> - 2025-02-03 18:06 +0100

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