Google Desktop is a helpful application. It tries to make your life easier…maybe too easy? Well, Gartner has jumped into it with both feet and has issued a warning about version 3 of the Google Desktop product. Version 3 allows the user to search across multiple computers to collect information. It keeps track of this information for you…via an indexed file at Google. Hmmm, OK anyone who is in corporate security right about now is in the process of giving birth to kittens. Gartner analysts said,
“Its mere transport outside the enterprise will represent an unacceptable security risk to many enterprises. Also, workers will not always reliably identify documents that must remain outside the category of shared items.”
Hmmm, still not loving this. As well, the EFF is not a fan either.
UPDATE Google admits Desktop security risk
…and this piece for more reading on EFF.