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A hacker's arrest reveals Microsoft can track users via a Windows device ID

The FBI used a Microsoft device identifier, dubbed GDID, to link a teenager to a hack attributed to Scattered Spider, raising ...
The Hacker News

Court Filing Reveals Windows Device ID Helped FBI Trace Alleged Scattered Spider Hacker

Federal complaint says a Windows GDID tied Peter Stokes to a May 2025 jewelry retailer hack that stole 77GB and drew an $8M ...
Tbreak

Your Windows PC has a secret ID number, and Microsoft just used one to unmask a hacker

An FBI complaint against an alleged Scattered Spider member reveals Microsoft can link a Windows PC’s online activity to a persistent Global Device ID, even when the user is behind a VPN.

Windows 11 identifier code used to track Scattered Spider perp after Microsoft shared info with FBI — 19-ye...

Petet Stokes was arrested in Finland and extradited to the U.S. over alleged ties to the Scattered Spider group, with ...

Windows has a hidden device ID that tracks you beyond any VPN: A UK privacy warning for firms

Every Windows machine carries a quiet identifier called a Global Device Identifier, and US court papers have just shown it ...