Death by Google Calendar

the_harlequin writes "Ok, so the title is a little extreme, but it's a possibility. The link gives an example of how easy it is to obtain information about someone who uses Google Calendar, and is unaware of what they're allowing the world to see."

Comments

Easy problem to solve.

[PrinceAshitaka]

So I should be fine if I simply add some fake reoccurring classes to my calendar. I think I am going to "fake" take up some firearms classes and some marshal arts. It will also not hurt to add something else like, Tuesdays I will have a "fake" pit bull owners club. Or I could just not put flight information in my calendar.

Bah

[Iron (III) Chloride]

Any calendar site can be exploited in this way. As with many aspects of computer usage, user intelligence (posting info w/discretion) and proper privacy settings (think Facebook here) is all that's necessary. I say this is a non-issue, especially for hopefully more-intelligent /. nerds.

Eh, unnecessary...

[Ruff_ilb]

First of all, I'd like to point out that this trick only works IF you set your calendar to share with the entire world. This is in no way a way to 'hack' google, as it were.

Furthermore, in the real world, this is very likely rediculous. If I'm a criminal, what are the chances that I'm going to find someone in my area that uses google calendar on a regular basis, AND has a trip or event planned with specific times that tell me when they're going to be out of the house.

If I were trying to steal something, it would be much easier to just get in my car, cruise around, find a house that looks empty, bump/pick the lock, walk in, and take stuff.