Desktop Search Programs, Are They Safe?

italicus · 28th January 2005, 06:43 AM

Hi, everyone. I didn't find a specific section for this topic, so i hope i might post it here. Here's the story: a friend of mine has downloaded some desktop search programs, software provided by some search engines that allow you to perform accurate searches for files you can't find in your computers. I wonder if these programs can be used to collect data when your browser connects to the net? Thanks.

Italicus

**Mr. Tech** · 28th January 2005, 08:58 AM

Hey italicus,

Nice to see you again

I haven't done any research on these... I did try to install the Google Desktop Search but it didn't like my Antivirus...

Are they safe? I would say so however it would all depened on who and where you download it from. I'm sure Google and any other popular search engines wouldn't be stupid enough to add spyware into it but you never know.

Tell your friend that he/she should only download Desktop Searches from popular search engines such as Google.

To be on the safe side your friend should download some spyware removal tools (Your friend will need to make sure he/she downloads the updates) to make sure that there are no leaks.

Other then that I think your friend should be OK.

Let me know if there are any problems

Tech

italicus · 28th January 2005, 10:09 AM

Hey, nice to see you again too. I've seen the changes to the forum, it looks real cool. Thanks for the advice, it's what i was going to tell my friend, but i needed some extra tips.... She has a little web site but is just an interpreter. Today she gave me a tutorial that sounds like a commercial, beginning with "technology will save us all". Technology, can "save us", but that, i am afraid, depends on use people make of it.

Good luck with the forum and have fun!

Italicus

**Mr. Tech** · 28th January 2005, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Technology, can "save us", but that, i am afraid, depends on use people make of it.

That is very true.

Thanks again!

Tech

**Peter Sinclair** · 28th January 2005, 02:13 PM

Hey italicus,

There may be a flaw in Google's New Desktop Search Program...

From: http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/20/te...gy/20flaw.html (registration required).

Quote:

The glitch ... could permit an attacker to secretly search the contents of a personal computer via the Internet.

The problem lies in the fact that GDS intercepts all network connections going to Google and inserts local data into the results - but the researchers built a Java program which made requests to Google, took the local data and transmitted it remotely.

For users, there is apparently some silent updating going on to a new version. But isn't the problem, while apparently patched, an inherent, fundamental design flaw? Does this affect your confidence in using the product?

Well, well, well... Who would know?

Hope that helps

**Mr. Tech** · 28th January 2005, 02:19 PM

Good job Peter

Darksat · 27th February 2005, 01:51 AM

If you have a good statefull firewall on your system you should be safe enough, but if someone gets access to your machine they can scan your entire harddrive in seconds using it.
install it in a non standard location just to be safe.

Also if your on a shared machine and you only have it installed on one login it can be accessed by people on another without to much difficulty.

italicus · 22nd March 2005, 04:31 AM

Thank you all for your research. Good job indeed !

Italicus