Google desktop - its cool

raeble

And if (say) MS Word crashes under WinXP, the PC wants to send a message telling Microsoft all about it - is sending that message any more or less a risk to privacy and to computer security than Google's offering?

I have mozilla myself, I'm not that keen on IE but I always update the security holes. At least you know that Microsoft wants to send a message to hq telling it about your crash. I always say no. Who knows about whether it is more or less of a security risk than google's offering. I would say less because it asks your permission when it wants to do that.

As google has permission from you to access the internet, it could be passing all manner of information that you would rather it didn't with your so-called agreement without your knowledge. I think If you are going to download something like that be aware of the potential risks, and what the software is actually doing on your machine.

monomer

This is probably not going be a surprise to anyone but...

Researchers at Rice University on Monday made public a bug in Google Desktop Search that could let hackers secretly search the contents of a user's hard drive. Google, which was made aware of the flaw last month, has created a fix and is updating the software automatically as users connect to the Internet.

Source: TechWeb on 20/12/2004

I think the important bit is that if you have version number 121004 (for December 10, 2004) or above, you're ok.

londonman81

A general post about security - I've occassionally found files on my computer which I don't remember making....

I am actually borrowing a computer from someone who wasn't using it anymore and had it in the loft
Its a win 98 machine - maybe 5 or 6 years old - previous owner had no antivirus/firewall....

I'm worried that my comp has/is being hacked into...

Is it possible that a hacker could put/take files from my comp?? :-/

blinky

What are the files called? Are they not some of Windows's own files?

londonman81

What are the files called? Are they not some of Windows's own files?

Nope - one is a picture of an very ugly looking imaginary object (Id rather not describe it!) and the file is called 'Persephone'..made using a Paint-type program but ugly nonethless - there are some others too inc Word files with gobbledegook - im mainly worried about people using my computer to dump/take stuff -could this be happening? :-/

LincsLad_3

Presumably you now have firewall, anti-virus and anti-spyware software in place on this PC??

If so, and they are not identifying any problems, then there is little more you can do.

If not, then yes, you are leaving the front door open for anyone who might want to access the files on your PC.

londonman81

Presumably you now have  firewall, anti-virus and anti-spyware software in place on this PC??

If so, and they are not identifying any problems, then there is little more you can do.

If not, then yes, you are leaving the front door open for anyone who might want to access the files on your PC.

I've not installed new firewall, anti-virus or anti-spyware because I'm borrowing the computer and don't wnt to spend money on something that I won't be using anymore soon - I'v tried the free adaware and other free anti virus etc but I find them to be a pain in the butt because they always seem to interfere with what I want to do - and also the free online anti-virus programs never seem to work consistently for me!

Looks like i better just hurry up with buying that new PC.. :-/

mcwarre

I've not installed new firewall, anti-virus or anti-spyware because I'm borrowing the computer and don't wnt to spend money on something that I won't be using anymore soon - I'v tried the free adaware and other free anti virus etc but I find them to be a pain in the butt because they always seem to interfere with what I want to do - and also the free online anti-virus programs never seem to work consistently for me!

Looks like i better just hurry up with buying that new PC.. :-/

You need your head examining!!!! Download AVG anti-virus (free and the best out there). Download Zonealarm (free and one of the best out there). For anti-adaware use either spybot search and destroy or adaware se personnel (again free).

If you run a pc on the net without antivirus and firewall and anti-spware then you are asking to be hacked and please do not use it for internet banking or buying stuff without these excellent (FREE) products

sleepless_saver

Got all excited and downloaded it but it doesn't work on Win98 SE :-/ just XP or 2000.

maninblack_3

A warning for you all.
Google is a great search engine.
its not a great desktop search engine. It has various pieces of what coudl be classed as spyware in it.
Gmail is the biggest spyware of all. I signed up for gmail as an experiment to test it.
Gmail gives you ads based on the content of your mail
It is an automated scan of your mails and picks out stuff you may be interested in and gives you ads related to it.
In my eyes a bit naughty in effect someone is reading your mail.

If you want to be able to find documents and fiels easily on your pc do the following

1. setup folders by content
2. have a subset of folders by alphabetical order or interest
3. have a generic download folder and the order that by content and then alphabetical
4. Invest a little time in learning good computer house keeping no need for a search engone for your computer

maninblack