this post was submitted on 15 Jul 2026
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Privacy

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cross-posted from: https://tardigram.com/m/windows11@lemmy.world/t/39011

GDID is the persistent Windows ID that helped FBI trace a Scattered Spider hacker despite VPNs. Here's how it works and how to limit it.

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[–] Gork@sopuli.xyz 10 points 7 hours ago (1 children)

I wonder how many other GDID type identifiers are out there, besides this Microsoft one.

[–] defaultusername@lemmy.dbzer0.com 9 points 7 hours ago* (last edited 6 hours ago) (1 children)

I'd bet every proprietary OS (or open source base OS with deeply integrated proprietary software, such as anything Google makes) has something similar.

For things like phones, an IMEI is already a permenantly attached unique ID tied to the modem. There is also a hardcoded serial number in most electronic devices.

[–] sompreno@lemmy.zip 1 points 2 hours ago

With hardware fingerprinting it doesn't really matter that much

[–] florencia@lemmy.blahaj.zone 7 points 7 hours ago

Damn, perhaps competent prosecutors & FBI agents wouldn't have allowed this information to leak.

Losing an incredible privacy leak to own a 19 year old who posted his crimes on snapchat.