Microsoft Windows 10 comes with many improvements. Among the best features that might make you want to upgrade to the new version are included a fast Edge browser, a redesigned Start menu, the ability to stream games from an Xbox One console and a built-in Cortana digital assistant. However, one feature is controversial. It is enabled by default and it is called Wi-Fi Sense.
Wi-Fi Sense is controversial because it encourages users to crowd-source private Wi-Fi network passwords with their Facebook, Skype and Outlook contacts. While it is true that this feature can make it easier for your family and friends to connect automatically to your Wi-Fi while visiting, from a security point of view this may compromise your network.
Simon Rockman of The Register UK declared that a person wanting access to your company network could befriend one of your employees and come into the range of your wireless network to gain access, for instance in your office car park. The Microsoft replied to this buy saying that Wi-Fi Sense allows you to share access to your wireless network, but your contacts cannot share at their turn that access with others.
While some critics are still concerned about security and privacy matters surrounding Wi-Fi Sense new feature in Windows 10, there are also some clear benefits that may outweigh the risks. With this feature you don't actually have to tell your friends your password. Wi-Fi Sense gives them access to your wireless network without showing your password at all. This increases the security, since some people use the same password for Wi-Fi and e-mail as well. If your friends are the nosy type, having your actual password may temp them to take a look in your inbox.
But the thing is that actually Microsoft's Wi-Fi Sense feature is not a completely new. If you have a Windows Phone 8.1 you may recognize Wi-Fi Sense. At the time when Wi-Fi Sense was integrated in Windows Phone, it did not receive so much publicity.
Wi-Fi Sense works by sending an encrypted connection stored on Microsoft's servers in an encrypted file. If your friend is in range of your Wi-Fi network, a secure connection is used to send the encrypted file to your friend's Wi-Fi Sense enabled device.
Your friends will not gain access to shared printers or files within your home network, since Wi-Fi Sense only grants Internet access. The encrypted password is only shared with the user's direct contacts. If your contacts would want at their turn to share your password with their contacts, this is possible only if they ask you directly for your actual Wi-Fi password, since the password is not showed to him by Wi-Fi Sense.
For those who still don't trust Wi-Sense, the feature can be disabled easily from the Settings menu. Under "Network & Internet," click on "Wi-Fi" and select "Manage Wi-Fi Settings". There you will find the options to connect to networks shared by your contacts or open hotspots. You will also find options for which networks to share your password with, including Facebook, Skype and Outlook contacts. If you want to completely disable Wi-Fi Sense, you will need to disable all of those options.
