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>>One of my clients is in a panic about Google desktop, because the security people at her dad?s workplace put out this message: ?Recent revelations concerning Google-Desktop have shown conclusively that it is a security risk we cannot afford on the [company] network. Accordingly, we are purging it from all [company] workstations. Additionally, for the foreseeable future, this particular software is banned.? My client also claims that the search engine somehow brought down two servers. Mmm. Although there was a big potential security hole found and patched in Feb, I just haven?t found anything this alarming recently online. Anyone out there have any information or views on the security issues of GDT?>>
One suspects it's the "search across computers" option that they are freaking about.
http://news.com.com/2100-1002_3-6041338.html
Unless you trust your individual users to never turn on this feature, it can mean that sensitive files leave the enterprise. I wouldn't allow it if I had an enterprise to worry about.
However, Google has another version:
>Gartner has recommended that businesses use Google Desktop for
>Enterprise, as this allows systems administrators to centrally turn
>off the Search Across Computers feature, which it said should be
>"immediately disabled."
>;
>Companies "must also evaluate what they are allowing to be indexed,
>and whether they are comfortable that they can adequately bar the
>sharing of data with Google's servers," said Gartner.
>
>;Google agreed that Google Desktop Enterprise would better mitigate
>security risks. "If you're given a choice, choose Enterprise," said Ku.
This version is also free. However, it comes with an optional "Premium Support" package for $10K a year per enterprise for notification of new versions (read: new security issues). A lot of folks will find that insufficiently compelling a price for the service, and will not be willing to use the "free" utility without the support option.
Yrs,
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Shava Nerad
shava%40efn.org">shava
efn.org
.
