Does anyone know what telemetry is submitted to Microsoft by the Heartbeat Report when the Malicious Software Removal Tool (MSRT) automatically scans your computer during Patch Tuesdays?
Since August 2016, my scan log for the Malicious Software Removal Tool (C:\Windows\Debug\mrt.log) has contained a new reference to a Heartbeat Report. Here's an excerpt from my log (opened with Notepad) for the MSRT scan run during my latest September 2016 Patch Tuesday updates - a return code of "0 (0x0)" is normal and means "no infection found".
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Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool v5.40, September 2016 (build 5.40.13000.0)
Started On Wed Sep 14 11:50:41 2016
Engine: 1.1.13000.0
Signatures: 1.227.1155.0
Run Mode: Scan Run From Windows Update
Results Summary:
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No infection found.
Successfully Submitted Heartbeat Report
Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool Finished On Wed Sep 14 11:57:40 2016
Return code: 0 (0x0)
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I drilled down through the Windows section of the updated Microsoft Privacy Statement (revised August 2016) and all it says in the section on the MSRT is that "During a malware check, a report will be sent to Microsoft with specific data about malware detected, errors, and other data about your device." The MSRT Privacy Statement (undated) says that a report is sent to Microsoft if the "MSRT detects malware or if an error occurs when MSRT is running" but my latest scan logs would imply that telemetry about my system is now being sent to Microsoft every month, even if the MSRT scan doesn't detect a problem.
I don't know if the MSRT has always submitted a monthly Heartbeat Report and Microsoft has just updated their privacy policy to be more forthcoming (
) or if my 32-bit Vista machine is now being swept up in Microsoft's obsession to collect as much telemetry as possible from their users. Several Vista users have recently complained the same version of the MSRT is repeatedly re-offered by Windows Update throughout the month and I'm wondering now if that happens if the MSRT has problems connecting to the back-end Microsoft servers and submitting this Heartbeat Report.
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32-bit Vista Home Premium SP2 * Firefox v49.0.1 * NIS v22.8.0.50 * MBAM Premium v2.2.1