Windows Spring Creators Update will feature a new utility called Timeline. It will let users see in chronological order all the activities they have performed on their computers. While this utility is being touted as something of a super “recently used” list. It may turn out to be a privacy issue. As anybody logged into your account will have an even easier time seeing what you have been up to.
While Microsoft says users will be able to change the settings of Timeline to show less (or no) information, it will as most settings on Windows 10 systems be buried. Meaning many if not most people will have little clue as to where they can adjust what is saved and shown.
I predict that this utility will be used against end users in a number of ways. Bosses at work demanding to see this log from workers to check up on them. (easier than asking the IT department to keep tabs on people).
And even IT support scammers using it instead of event viewer to give the impression that hackers are tracking their every move. In addition this provides a new attack vector for fake system utility programs. Claiming they will “clean” this new tracker and instead infecting users unknowingly.
Hopefully the good folks in Redmond, WA. Have already considered these possibilities and will provide some kind of hardening of this new program to prevent misuse of this utility.
But as with web browsers and email it will once again be up to the end user or their IT support staff to monitor and clean out the digital junk this new utility will create.