Google Corrects Gmail Security Flaw

0110011001110101 writes "Google said Wednesday it has fixed a problem in its widely used email program that allowed hackers to break into peoples Gmail accounts to read messages and pose as legitimate email users. Security researchers in Spain exposed a flaw in the way Google authenticates its users, allowing the breach in the system that counts more than 5 million users. The process for exploiting Gmail was posted to a hacker web site." From the article: "Google spokesperson Sonya Boralv said only users who supplied information to the hackers were potentially vulnerable. 'We looked into this quickly and learned that it can only occur if a user knowingly provides their credentials,' Ms. Boralv said. 'Nevertheless, we have made some modifications to Gmail to help prevent these kinds of issues.'"

Comments

Note to all Anti-Googlists...

[eno2001]

1. No matter how many problems you point out that exist in Google's services, they are still far less than the flaws that have existed in systems like Yahoo and Hotmail for far longer
2. Whether you believe it or not, there is NO such thing as a "perfect" e-mail system. Google never made that claim and it's supporters certainly don't make that claim. What they do claim is that Google has the more innovative interface. And after using the lackluster offerings of both Yahoo and Hotmail, I have say I agree with them.
3. Although you might think it's "hip and cool" to be anti-Google just because Wired magazine told you to do so. It's not. It's lame. It's like someone trying to make it hip and cool to listen to Johnny Mathis tunes at a rave. Lame.
4. Yahoo offers nothing like Google. Yahoo started off as a so-so search engine and evolved into a so-so portal with e-mail and then threw in maps and other useless crap. Google started off as a damn precise search engine that actually caters to people with a brain (ie. those of us who use the proper search syntax) as opposed to the numb nuts who just type a phrase in and expect to get an exact response. They then exapnded their offerings as experiments and are still in the experimental phase. It's just that their betas outshine the "production" services of their competitors.
5. Google does more with less better than MS could ever dream of. They have a smaller staff and a much smaller financial value (not that it matters) but they produce products that, while not "perfect", are at least ten times better than what any of their competitors offer.
6. Finally. Fuck you. I'm sick of all the Google bashing. It's lame and so are you. The way you screwjobs act, you'd think there are people opening up churches to worship Google like people are doing with Microsoft. I have to wonder if all of the people on /. who complain about Google are just Yahoo, MSN and Microsoft twits. If you are a Microsoft employee, I shake my fist at thee... ;P