Hosts files blocking Windows telemetry flagged as a bug
Windows 10 telemetry helps to improve the user experience. But the technical data has to reach Microsoft servers first. So, it makes sense that Microsoft may not like it when you block the transmission of the diagnostic data by modifying your HOSTS file. Unsurprisingly, Windows Defender is now flagging modified Hosts files that block telemetry as potentially unwanted programs (PUPs). It appears that the antivirus tool may have started this behavior as recent as July, to the disappointment of many users. According to one of the affected users on the Microsoft Answers forum, Windows Defender now detects telemetry-blocking HOSTS files as a SettingsModifier:Win32/HostsFileHijack bug. It even rates the threat as severe. In addition, the user laments that they keep getting the security warning each they boot their PC. On the Ten Forums, another user reports that they’re getting the same PUP security alert. The user did modify their HOSTS file as recent as June 15, 2020, by their own admission. To get to the bottom of the matter, the folks at Bleeping Computer tried modifying the HOSTS file to block Microsoft’s telemetry servers. They couldn’t save the file though. Instead, they got an error that the specific file contained a bug or potentially unwanted program. In case you recently modified your Windows 10 HOSTS file, are you getting any security warnings? Let us know via the comments section below.
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