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Prepare For Search Toolbar Security Holes
SecurityProNews
Staff Writer
2004-12-15
 Insider Reports RSS Feed
Apreo encourages enterprise network security administrators to prepare for the onslaught of Google Desktop Search (GDS) and MSN Toolbar Suite downloads, among other desktop search tools.
New search capabilities provided by GDS and other search tools offer substantial user benefits and will be downloaded by millions of enterprise employees over the next few months. However, GDS can create holes in network security - potentially leading to a spyware infection and the exposure of confidential data. GDS indexes cached web pages with secure data, which is particularly risky when the desktop is shared, as the sensitive information is available to the next user. Because the GDS index is not secure, it is vulnerable to spyware or other malware that could send the index to another site.
Networks across global enterprises are at risk of individual employee downloads of desktop search tools such as Google Desktop. Network administrators looking to ready themselves for better control of such applications should implement an appropriate-use program with a published use policy and automated enforcement.
At any time, any corporate network is at risk, since employees can easily download Google Desktop Search on their own, without the IT department's knowledge. Especially at risk are networks with many shared computers, such as those in call centers, education environments, government, manufacturing, hospitals, etc.
About the Author:
SecurityProNews is a daily online and email publication focusing on internet security issues.
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