google_desktop_tool
let us all be warned!
steef
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EFF issues Google Desktop warning
Configure it carefully, or forget it
By John Leyden
Published Friday 10th February 2006 15:36 GMT
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Google has released a revamped version of its desktop search tool which
introduces the ability to search the contents of one computer from another.
Previous versions of the tool indexed files on user's PCs, but using the
optional "Search Across Computers" facility in Google Desktop 3 temporarily
stores text copies of searchable items on Google's own servers for up to 30
days.
Search Across Computers makes a range of files - including web histories,
Microsoft Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, power point presentations as
well as PDF files and text files in the My Documents folder - searchable from
other computers. The contents of secure web pages are excluded from the list.
Users would log on using their Google password can find data on files they've
worked on regardless of which PC they used to produce them. Users can also
exclude certain file types or locations from indexing.
Even so, privacy activists such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF)
have said the feature "greatly increases the risk to consumer privacy". It
describes the facility as a gift to government snoops and a convenient
"one-stop-shop for hackers" who've obtained a user's Google password. Users
should avoid using Google Desktop 3, it advises.
Google argues that the growing use of multiple computers by users makes the
feature useful. "Too many people are working across multiple computers now,"
Google vice president Marissa Mayer told USA Today. "This makes their lives
easier."
In fairness, Google does acknowledge that the tool involves a trade off
between functionality and security. That's a compromise Windows users have
been stuck with for years, you might think. But even before the search engine
behemoth was subpoenaed for search information by the Department of Justice,
Google's latest desktop revamp would have raised eyebrows. The EFF, for one,
is adamant users shouldn't trust Google with the contents of their personal
computers.
"Unless you configure Google Desktop very carefully, and few people will,
Google will have copies of your tax returns, love letters, business records,
financial and medical files, and whatever other text-based documents the
desktop software can index," EFF Staff Attorney Kevin Bankston said. "The
government could then demand these personal files with only a subpoena rather
than the search warrant it would need to seize the same things from your home
or business, and in many cases you wouldn't even be notified in time to
challenge it." ®
Related stories
Google cuts data deal with DoJ (14 March 2006)
Google takes on MS Office with Writely buy (10 March 2006)
Google concedes desktop security risk (21 February 2006)
Privacy and anonymity (15 February 2006)
Microsoft promises Passport redux with ‘InfoCards’ (14 February 2006)
Google at work on desktop Linux (31 January 2006)
Google makes bid to be a media mogul and PC doctor (7 January 2006)
Google denies plan to enter dying, low-margin PC biz (4 January 2006)
Phishing with Google Desktop (3 December 2005)
Fears rise as Google tries to emulate Microsoft (18 November 2005)
Desktop search for enterprises (15 November 2005)
Desktop search and malware: friend or foe? (13 October 2005)
regards,
steef
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