Windows and silent monitoring
The latest versions of Windows are known to collect vast amounts of user data.
Every time you open your browser, your computer sends information to
advertising tracking services like Scorecard Research .
These connections occur even if you are not actively browsing.
Microsoft analyzes your online behavior, your applications, and your interactions.
Portmaster: a smart and free firewall
To counter this, a simple solution exists: Portmaster .
This firewall automatically blocks unwanted connections upon installation.
It protects against ad tracking, malware, deceptive domains, and more.
Main features:
- Automatic blocking of spyware Microsoft domains.
- Complete system protection (not just in the browser).
- Private DNS and country-based connection filtering.
- Simple graphical interface, suitable for all levels.
Unlike browser extensions, Portmaster operates at the system level.
Therefore, even if a game, service, or Windows itself attempts to send data, it is blocked.
Easy installation
Installation is done with a single click. After a restart, a wizard asks for
the content categories to block:
- Advertisements and trackers
- Malware
- Phishing sites (deception)
- Inappropriate content
Once activated, you can view live blocked connections and the countries
your PC is trying to connect to.
Analyze and understand network traffic
Portmaster displays all outgoing connections:
- Applications that communicate with the Internet (e.g., Discord, Microsoft Services, Steam).
- The exact destination IP addresses.
- The countries concerned.
This allows you to detect any spyware, cryptocurrency miner
or suspicious program on your machine.
CrowdSec: a community defense
In addition to Portmaster, I recommend CrowdSec ,
a free and open source tool for intrusion prevention .
CrowdSec monitors attempts to connect to your computer or server,
and automatically blocks suspicious IP addresses.
Advantages of CrowdSec:
- Protection against RDP and SSH attacks.
- Automatic blocking of malicious IP addresses.
- A global community sharing real-time threat information.
- Compatible with Windows and Linux.
The tool operates silently in the background and requires no complex configuration.
Conclusion
Windows collects a lot of data without your knowledge, but there are simple ways to regain
control. Portmaster prevents unwanted system-level connections,
while CrowdSec protects against network attacks.
Together, these two tools offer free, effective, and accessible defense for everyone.
Stay informed, stay safe.