Google Shuts Hole in Desktop Product

Google has apparently closed what could have been a seriously devastating hole in their desktop search product. A hole that could have exposed millions of users to data thieves:


By BRIAN BERGSTEIN, AP Technology Writer
Tue Feb 20, 9:02 PM ET

BOSTON - A potentially devastating hole in Google Inc.'s prevalent desktop search product could have exposed personal files on users' computers to data thieves. Google fixed the defect within weeks of being informed about it and says it has no evidence the vulnerability was exploited.

The flaw was uncovered late last year by Watchfire Corp., a security-analysis provider. While the vulnerability exists in roughly 80 percent of Web applications, this problem appeared far more extreme "given the sensitive nature of what Google Desktop is doing," said Danny Allan, a researcher at Waltham, Mass.-based Watchfire.

Full Story from Yahoo News