Hi Dennis, > > Still have to do the one time indexing...baulking at > > the tought of google having all my info stored....I > > know you you posted similiar sentiments... > > The question is *where* the info is stored. The answer > is *locally*. > > From http://desktop.google.com/privacyfaq.html#make_searchable
Even with the information "stored locally" there is significant pause for contemplation. I store my email and ftp settings locally as well, but is the software that I use likely to be readily exploitable in order to obtain my information? Further, since Google has indexed this information already, will someone that wants access to it only have to drop into my DQSD and type "ggd password" to see where all the passwords are stored (and previews of each)? Worse even, how does the Google.com integration work? Is it 'before' the content hits my browser, or after - via script, BHO or somesuch locally? In each case, if the system has spyware of any sort then the Google Desktop extends the capacity for exploitation since it gives advanced access to priviledged content from valuable files across my system. Google also has an interesting response to this FAQ: <<< >>> 7. Does Google collect information about me? Google Desktop Search will not send any personally identifying information, such as your name or address, to Google without your explicit permission. So that we can continuously improve Google Desktop Search, the application sends non-personal information about things like the application's performance and reliability to Google. You can choose to turn this feature off in your Desktop Preferences. <<< >>> Does that information include the search terms, keywords, index data and system profile information? Sure this is not 'personally identifying' but it surely identifies my PC capabilities, system contents and performs a very high-level of *system* profiling which could be used for rather significant aggressive 'other' uses - and the rest of the Google services have interesting lapses in their privacy coverage and limitations. http://google-watch.org/ Don't get me wrong - I've been using Google since '98. I've been using Google Desktop since I wrote this search. But what do we really know about what Google does with the information they have access to? The search engine that has the term 'search engine' in its pocket has an unlimited potential for exploitation. If you thnk the number of people looking for holes in IE is bad because it has the market-share it does - consider the number of people looking for holes in Google! This month there were 3 vulnerabilities reported on Full-Disclosure, one of which was a significant programming error that exposed the way Google functioned. Uh - oops? The other two were 'mere' cross-site scripting vulnerabilities. That's no big deal, except it's Google. Anyway... the jury is still out as far as I'm concerned. Regards, Shawn K. Hall http://ReliableAnswers.com/ '// ======================================================== The short memories of American voters is what keeps our politicians in office. -- Will Rogers (1879-1935) ------------------------------------------------------- This SF.Net email is sponsored by: InterSystems CACHE FREE OODBMS DOWNLOAD - A multidimensional database that combines robust object and relational technologies, making it a perfect match for Java, C++,COM, XML, ODBC and JDBC. www.intersystems.com/match8 _______________________________________________ To unsubscribe visit: https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/dqsd-users [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://sourceforge.net/mailarchive/forum.php?forum_id=8601
