MSE and Microsoft SpyNet

[unifex]

I have recently installed MSE on my older laptop after hearing that it would be lighter than my old ESET suite. However, I found that MSE seems to be always connected to the SpyNet. There is no option to disable that, there is just an option of "standard" and "extended", where more information about my computer is transmitted to Microsoft.

Does anyone know if this SpyNet can be disabled? I am sure they do not really collect personal information and I am sure lots of people don't mind, but personally I do not like when something gets transmitted from my computer without my explicit consent - and I mean each time, not a blanket "agree" forever license.

 

[Bill2]

If you disable SpyNet, you’ll also disable Dynamic Signature Service.

Dynamic Signature Service is used to query a MS servers for malware signatures. If it finds the signatures match a known malware, it downloads the signatures and removes the offender. On the other hand if the offending programs’ signature appears new, then the DSS may request a sample code from the client machine to create new signatures.

Simply put, if you decide to opt-out of the Microsoft Spynet, Dynamic Signature Service will also be disabled and you will not be protected against emerging threats. This is the price you have to pay for "free" MSE.