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How much do YOU trust Google?

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by oz_media

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In the never ending effort to offer more and mroe valued online tools, and corner any aspect of teh market they see as popular, Google is intdroucing G-Drive in 2009.

Mych like Rapidshare, Megaupload, A-Drive, and countless other online file storage services, G-Drive will allow enough storage space to back up your entire hard drive (of course with some limitations, somewhere).

[i]More: Chicago (IL) - Google Drive, or Gdrive as it is better known, has to be the most anticipated Google product so far. When it arrives, Gdrive will likely cause a major paradigm shift in how we use computers and bring Google one step closer to dethroning Windows on your desktop.[/i]

It appears that the Google vision is to offer an online storage system for you to use as a remote desktop and they seem to be aiming at a full blown Google OS, perhaps for online access only (I'm really not too sure) in an attempt to offer a Microsoft alternative.

While I use GMail for junk mail and online signups, I don't know that I would trust my entire hard drive in their servers or through online access, however, Google has not failed me from a GMail perspective, it seems somewhat secure, is fast and does filter out some spam (not that I care for that accoutn anyway).

I have no reason to distrust Google, but my entire hard drive?

http://www.tgdaily.com/html_tmp/content-view-41094-140.html

26 replies

by cmiller5400

I would not even THINK about uploading any personal information to Google. It would be way to easy for them to search it to customize ads etc. Everything comes with a price; even "free" stuff.

by shellbot

I wouldn't put any personal stuff up there, but some things i might..external documents etc..
Nothing of huge importance, but would be handy to have access to from somewhere else

by oz_media

I keep resumes and such on free online storage, that way they are always recoverable if I lose or damage my own copies. If THAT server dies, no big deal I have multiple copies of different resumes, covering letters, employmen tcontracts etc. stored in several places online, including just plain old GMail.

If you want access to unimportant docusments online, GMail is great (just send them to yourself) or else for file that are much larger, RapidShare and Megaupload allow you to upload and download your big files at great speeds.

I use MegaUpload for working on music tracks with UK partners, we can share 200MB+ files for free and the down speeds are great.

by shellbot

I've got a whole lot a stuff stored in gmail..actually getting to the point that I'm scr3wed if gmail goes down or my account is lost!! :)

by geek3001

I'm using the HotMail version as a large USB drive for projects that are not critical and do not have privacy related issues.

I can see it as being a useful offsite backup for things that you may not want to risk losing and are really paranoid about having backups. I would spread it across several sites though.

by notsochiguy

...and you start seeing Go ogle.

Not with my data, thank you very much!!

P.S. I don't drink Naive, I mean, Evian water, either! ;)

by robo_dev

There is no Ministry of Truth.

So you're perfectly safe uploading and sharing every scrap of your digital identity with the Ministry of Truth, I mean Google.

There is no Big Brother, and he is not watching you.

(Unless, of course you're breaking the law, have visited a site with illegal content, have ever downloaded a copyrighted file without the consent of the copyright holder -then all your private stuff could become 'evidence', regardless of your guilt or innocence.)

These days a routine piece of evidence is the suspect's Google search history. So why not prevent crimes by letting someone monitor everybody's searches?

Quick, somebody in Cleveland is researching doing a Bank Robbery....go arrest them!

Your web browser history tells who you are, where you are, where you shop, how much money you have, where you bank....all things you want to share with the Ministry of Truth.

So, relax, there is no ThoughtPolice, computer security and privacy safeguards are unbreakable, overzealous investigators never would violate your right to privacy....

by forum surfer

I'll admit I do use gmail extensively. I use it as a g drive of sorts already. I have several installs I use regularly emailed to myself and archived. If it is too big I just zip and change the extension to something like zzz and gmail will just keep it for me. Same thing with my kid's pictures that I show off regularly. I have moved documents before that were my personal ones. They were sensitive so I converted to pdf and added password protection, zipped them with encryption and changed the extension. A determined hacker would no doubt get around those precautions...but maybe I slipped the document past big brother Google without them reading it.

I do know people just itching to use g drive on a small business level and I have advised the people about the perils of online apps and online file storage. These type people don't listen tho, they like to show off their app and online storage and watch non technical people go all ohhh and ahhh. Meanwhile those of us with security background cringe at the the thought of business file storage with the security left up to a company (such as Google) that provides a contract stating they aren't responsible for loss, theft or destruction of your data or security breeches.

by magespawn

I would only use an online storage facility for non critical documents, such as application forms, that are used by a large group and are being updated regularly. I would want some form of guarantee before I put information that is critical online.

by forum surfer

I don't see where any IT pro in his/her right mind would use these online apps for critical, personal or confidential info.

by filip

Hi Oz. Full disclosure here: I work for www.nomadesk.com, which offers easy and secure file sharing, wherever you are. I read your post on Google's GDrive with great interest and just wanted to add NomaDesk to the mix.
In fact, NomaDesk has similar features and is geared towards the need of the "digital nomad". We are convinced that the more data gets synchronized, the more likely it gets compromised. Therefore, NomaDesk includes an encrypted virtual drive that keeps your files securely available off-line and remote file shredding and IP-tracking with TheftGuard. Of course, we impose no limits on storage and bandwidth.
The current NomaDesk release 2.6 displays file states and indicate whether files are already in use by someone else. You are also able to add and review notes (i.e. meta-data). The Mac version is on its way.

I would appreciate your review.
F.

by seanferd

Well, I've got to say that is one of the most
honest and up-front offers I've ever seen, and if I was going to be doing work "in the cloud", so to speak, I'd definitely look at your service.

by raisch1

No where on the Nomadesk site does it mention how much the service can be expected to cost once they work out their business model.

So, here, try it for free...use it...love it...rely upon it...and then?

Apologies for the highly suspicious nature of this response, but I've learned to be very cautious when it comes to both "free lunches" and "infrastructure" services like this.

From a quick read of their various legal agreements/disclaimers, Nomadesk does not appear to

-offer a Service Level Agreement (SLA) or other kind of uptime guarantee.

-assure you own the data you choose to store on their servers.

-protect your data using encryption.

-assure no one else has access to your data.

-assure they will not sell your data.

-assure they will not provide your data to law enforcement without a court order.

-assure they will not sell information they glean from your data to third-parties.

I'm sure I've missed something.

And finally, entering into a binding legal agreement adjudicated under the Belgium legal system should be a serious cause of concern for anyone outside of Belgium.

Just my 2 euro-cents.

by raisch1

Google is a public company so its lofty humanist policies must ultimately succumb to the needs of its shareholders; shareholders who foolishly seek short-term returns rather than a solid, long-term investment in a stable, responsible company.

by tink!

switch my hard drive to a Gdrive anytime soon!

Sure Windows has it's quirks and problems, but I'll wait until Gdrive has been out several years before I even think about switching.

I really hate when a company starts branching out into other areas beyond their original "expertise". Kind of like when luxury car makers started producing SUV's. Threw me for a loop.

by craig

I think you are all wrong. Who of you is really important enough for Google to search through millions of users to invade YOUR information? And if they did, even in one recorded instance they would loose almost their entire client base and business so the question really is not how much do you trust Google but how much do you trust yourself to protect your private / critical documents? When you consider network security, online security, and hardware failures how much can you trust that your data is safe?

I know there will be people who will argue, and some of them will have good points but at the end of the day no one is perfect least of all the average end user and we need to ask ourselves what is practical.

by raisch1

If, after your recent HIV test--the results of which you keep on your hard drive, you began to see pharmaceutical anti-virals dominate the "sponsored" links on Google search?

Don't kid yourselves: this is the only reason Google would offer such a service for free and I think most people would agree that private personal information should not be used to target advertising.

by forum surfer

Don't you think standards like HIPAA are there for a reason? Some of us get paid to analyze, assess and deal with security issues. Utilizing google for storage provides absolutely zero accountability. What if something is deleted or lost? It's a mystery as to where it goes. Same with a security breech. At least with me handling my own storage, which is accessible online through secure channels just as well as google, only slightly more difficult, I can be accountable. I can have things such as disaster plans and data backup. Do you want government agencies, health care providers or credit companies storing your data in a manner that isn't backed up or protected. Do you want someone to give yyou an absolute answer or do you want them to say "Google ate my homework?"

Google is fine for storage, just not for sensitive or any type of remotely important data. I use it personally, but I am also well aware of it's limitations. You mentioned hardware failures...you could blow up my entire building and rest assured that our data is safe and secure, and thanks to a DR plan I'll be operational tonight. When you consider network and online security how can you not want a quality staff handling your business? Is it easier to use google docs to access documents than say a vpn connection? Is saving the end user a couple of clicks worth the potential security breech? Or should we abandon standards like HIPAA and just say all these security experts worldwide are just wrong and google's one-click convenience out weighs all these expert opinions?

My data is where I make my money. I want it safe and secure on my servers, on my replication servers, on my remote servers, on my disk to disk backup and my tape backup. If at anytime there is a hardware failure, a fire, a disaster, a flood, an internet outtage or some user somewhere simply need to revert to a month old version of my current spreadsheet...I and my clients need to know it is possible. These are all real scenarios and I have seen them all occur repeatedly. As someone who is paid to have data readily available in disaster situations to government agencies...I could never take google docs seriously in anyway in a business sense. Not when my job and important data is at stake. Lots of us use it, but absolutely not for pertinent info.

by neon samurai

I have a complete suite of my regular Windows programs with me on flashdrive, using webapps would be a downgrade in functionality, responsiveness and access. If one's flashdrive is an Ironkey, then they're a step up in physical security also. ;)

Now to get a trusted mail server and can the gmail account for all but spam and first contact messages. My house mail server would do just that but my ISP blocks port 25 unless you let them gouge you for a business "line".

by neon samurai

Hint: it's a big heavy company and I'm no weight lifting monster or football QB cannon.

I use Google's search engine and Earth. I'm slowly weaning myself off gmail. I wouldn't dream of synchronizing my PIM information or documents with the webapp office.

At least gmail supports https though you have to add the "s" back into the url after the login screen. Yahoo Mail leaves you wide open in clear text once past the login.

(Addition):

In terms of providing a storage service, it's the same as amazon's Jungledisk; if.. and I mean like _*IF*_ they can show that my data is being stored in an encrypted binary blob only accessible by me then I am less skeptical. As it stands now:

I don't trust how the data is being stored and secured

I don't trust the number of people inside the companies who can easily get access to the data

I don't trust the number of people outside the companies who can apear to be someone inside the company with valid reasons to access my data

I don't trust that when push comes too shareholder shove, the company won't look for new ways to derive profit from that amount of user stored data ("don't be evil".. yeah.. sure)

I don't trust that "cooperating" with government investigators will always be under legal or ethical pretenses (what's legal today may not be tomorrow)

I don't trust the EULA which states that all Google stored and transferred information is wide open to whatever Google decides to do with it

I do trust that information will inevitably be used in a way it was not intended for by the originating party.

by antagonist

First, how about previewing your articles before posting? One spelling error is bad enough but five is just bad writing.

As for trusting Google; why not? They do their best to make your information secure. They as a company have forgotten more about securing data than I will likely ever know. My hard drives on my personal computers are far more likely to be breached than Google's servers. Include the threat of hardware failure and I trust Google more than myself. Add the convenience of having my data available from any internet connected computer and it's a no brainer for me.

This is where computing is headed, people. We might as well get used to it.

by forum surfer

Trust Google for personal? Yes. Enterprise? Never. Enterprise will need their own cloud internally and separate from the outside cloud. Internal self maintained solutions are just more secure, fit into disaster recovery plans, more reliable, more customizable and there is a level of accountability that you can't have with Google.

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