Windows 10: Important Problem: How To Prevent App From Calling Home?

The only reason I'm using OpenOffice Writer is because I was looking for an app that was free and an app I could trust.

Is there another app I can use that's free and an app I can store my notes in knowing for 100% sure that nobody else can read them?

 

Blocking apps calling home is a bad idea they may call home for updates if there is a security flaw which would make it unsafe, some call home to check its licenced

 

Thanks for mentioning the risk of apps not being able to receive security updates if they're blocked from accessing the internet.

I think I'd rather prevent an app from contacting the Internet and rely on Windows 10's security to keep my PC secure rather than updating an app's potential security holes.

I just don't want an app to be contacting the Internet and uploading data I'm writing in my personal journal.

What do others think about this?

 

Honestly? I think you should talk with someone to get help.

 

I use Kaspersky Total Security (KTS) which is provided free by my bank. KTS incudes Safe Money which provides a 'protected browser' - see About Protected Browser

This may provide some of the functionality you desire. However, Kaspersky is a Russian owned company. I have some concerns about this but the advice from the forum is that Kaspersky is OK. Do you prefer being spied on by the CIA or FSB?

 

I honestly think this is a serious issue with so many apps now having "cloud connectivity" it seems more important than ever to be concerned with user privacy.

 

Thank you for your reply!

Instead of using a 3rd party app, is it possible for me to use the inbuilt Windows 10 Pro firewall to prevent OpenOffice from contacting the Internet?

 

NiceAndShy,
Yes, here's a good how to.
How to Block An Application from Accessing the Internet with Windows Firewall

 

I suggest the following:

• Disconnect your PC from the internet whenever you write/edit your personal memos.
• Store the memos on a removeable drive and only open your memos when your PC is disconnected from the internet
• Consider password protecting your file (you can do this in Word) or better still encrypt the drive/folder where your personal files are stored using something like Bitlocker provided with Windows.

You can otherwise leave your word processing app connected to the net to keep it updated.

 

NiceAndShy there is a simple option in Libre/Openoffice to turn off and it will not check for updates.
There is no "Openoffice calling Home feature" you use windows 10 and you worry about OpenOffice,
maybe you should reconsider your concern priorities *Smile

best regards

 

Thanks, but I know I can disable the "update checker" in OpenOffice. Instead, I want to block all out-going communication from OpenOffice.

 

A good firewall can do that. Perhaps that's been mentioned above.

If you know the ip address you want to block you could use the Hosts file.
How to Block an IP Address on a Computer | Chron.com
or use
Bluelife Hostseditor (free, easy).

 

This sounds great as it'd allow me to block the individual .EXE file right?

But which file(s) am I supposed to block so that OpenOffice can't contact the Internet???

 

1. Example:
Set up your firewall (this is Avast) so it asks you any time the application tries to access the internet.
Thus you find out what is requesting access.




In fact from inspecting what is allowed access you may even get enough information- and block it there and then.

Basically - make intelligent use of a firewall and its rules.

2. Research - see if anything is known

3. Inspect the installation folder for likely candidates. (An outside possibility).

 

What out going communication are you talking about?