Slashdot Mirror


Google Desktop Search Under Fire

AchilleCB writes "Cnn and many other sources are jumping on the Google-privacy-bash bandwagon, they are carrying stories warning of more privacy implications regarding Google's Desktop Search, "if it's installed on computers at libraries and Internet cafes, users could unwittingly allow people who follow them on the PCs, for example, to see sensitive information in e-mails they've exchanged. That could mean revealed passwords, conversations with doctors, or viewed Web pages detailing online purchases." ... Type in "hotmail.com" and you'll get copies, or stored caches, of messages that previous users have seen. Enter an e-mail address and you can read all the messages sent to and from that address. Type "password" and get password reminders that were sent back via e-mail."

2 of 444 comments (clear)

  1. Again? by __aaitqo8496 · · Score: 5, Informative

    Didn't we already determine that Google has stated Desktop Search is not for use on multiple-user machines and that you can always retrict domains, directories and result types from inclusion despite the fact that the files are still publically accessible.

  2. Re:Mod down that troll by cthrall · · Score: 5, Informative

    > Google got in bed with MS on this one as they only
    > cache MS Office type docs.

    MSFT released filters allowing developers to get at the content of Office docs. Office is the prevalent productivity suite used. Why is GOOG in bed with MSFT?

    > GDS runs as a system service and has access to
    > everything.

    No, there's an entry in HKEY_CURRENT_USER\...\CurrentVersion\Run that starts everything. That means it runs as the current user.