Google Fixes IE Bug

Posted by Zonk on Tuesday December 6, 2005 @02:21AM from the quik-fix dept.

aussie_a writes "Without accepting blame Google has quickly patched the vulnerability, without requiring users to download a patch. Previously covered by Slashdot, the flaw allowed people to access files and passwords on a computer via any website when viewed with IE while running Google Desktop." From the article: "'Google was able to address the problem quickly because it didn't require changing any code at the user's desktop,' MacDonald said. 'Google applied more stringent security controls on its main site, which shut down the exploit.' The incident does raise important questions about Google as a desktop software vendor and its plans for rolling out future security fixes, said MacDonald. "

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If they can fix stuff at their end... that's cool! by byolinux · 2005-12-06 02:24 · Score: 5, Insightful

As more and more desktop apps serve as an interface to a website, it'll become a lot easier to fix and deploy new functionality. This is a good thing.

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An analogy for the comprehension-deficient... by Gruneun · 2005-12-06 02:51 · Score: 5, Insightful

Dick drives Jane's car.
Jane's car has a faulty parking brake.
Dick parks, engages the brake, but the car rolls away.
Dick stops parking on hills.

Important Points
Jane did not fix the parking brake
Dick did not fix the parking brake, but he no longer uses it.
Other drivers may or may not be aware of the broken parking brake.
The potential is still there for the car to roll away.