RIYADH: Saudi residents, like their counterparts in many other parts of the Gulf region, are closely following recent developments in the field of Information Technology (IT) around the globe. Subsequently, many of them have expressed their delight over the new security features of Windows 10 after its installation on more than 75 million computers across the world in just one month.

“However, some questions have arisen related to the extent to which the system protects the privacy of its users’ information within some of its features,” according to Engineer Rakan Waddah Tarabzoni, Business Group Lead for Windows Saudi Arabia.

Their concern stems from the recent spate of cyber security breaches that have occurred on government websites.

Tarabzoni said that new Windows 10 features include many additions, such as “Cortana”, the virtual assistant, “Wi-Fi Sense” for the sharing of personal wireless network passwords with other users, and “Windows Hello” for facilitating an easy log in to the system and to various websites, in addition to the new Internet browser platform, “Edge”.

Tarabzoni explained that the Wi-Fi Sense feature shares passwords with other users operating systems, but will not reveal that password directly to the users themselves, in order to facilitate internet connection among friends.

“Wi Fi Sense passwords are encrypted on secure Microsoft servers, which will then be sent to the device of another user through a secure connection as well,” he said.

That user is a friend of the first user who knows that the feature shares wireless passkeys among friends only. This feature can be easily activated or turned off and at any time.

Moreover, Tarabzoni added, ‘friends’ here is defined as the contacts whose names and phone numbers have already been saved by the main user on his or her device.

“In order for the Cortana virtual assistant to work properly, Cortana must know some key information about the user in order to best serve him or her and to acquire the information that is most relevant to them," he said.

Therefore, he added, “The user should agree to share some of his information with the Cortana system, such as their geographical location, personal interests and habits, among other things.”

He added that some parts of all of the information shared by the user can be deleted through what is called Cortana’s Notebook on the user’s device. However, this will result in decreased accuracy in terms of the suggestions offered to that user.

"The “Windows Hello” feature aims to facilitate access to the computer and various websites without the constant input of a password. For this, the user’s data is saved onto his or her device, and is not shared with any other party," Tarabzoni added.