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Google Desktop Security

By jeff.troutman ·
Hello,
I am currently looking into the security of Google Desktop and Toolbar. I see several articles online addressing the local caching issues associated with the utilities, but I have been unable to find if Google is actually collecting file information from the local files being cached/indexed on local disks. I'm aware they monitor Internet activity, but do you know if they also track any files or attributes of personal files? Also if possible do you know of any links to research done regarding this topic?

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by Nico Baggus In reply to Google Desktop Security

Bruce Schneier has this to say (btw he is a
security/cryptology topdog).

http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2004/11/desktop_google.html

This seems also relevant.
http://searchenginewatch.com/sereport/article.php/3421621

I hope this answers your question.
If you ask a file indexer to index your system
it will do just that. That there is sensitive
information on that disk that shouldn't be
indexed how should google know that.

It might be a different thing on a system that
is used by multiple users. If the sysadmin has
access to all directories than Google Desktop
has that right too. And that might mean that
user A on computer C can also see the files of
user B on computer C.


HIH,
Kind regards,
Nico Baggus

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