Beware what you put online ... there be google hackers

Beware what you put online ... there be google hackers

It seems to be common sense that you shouldn't expect anying you put online to stay private. Security through obscurity does not really exist in the face of the almighty google. Metafilter has a post (with comments) about how a simple google search can find networked surveillance cameras, many of which I am sure are only meant for "internal use". (See Join Google, see the world | Metafilter.) This is but one amusing example of "google hacking".

Google hacking is a technique that can be used to find "private" information that has been indexed by Google, probably without the user's knowledge. (See Google Hacking Database.) Some google hacks can even lead to lists of credit card numbers (Google queries provide stolen credit cards | CNET News.com) and passwords.

On a related note, a high-profile couple from Utah has recently learned the hard way that if you put nude photos of yourself in an online photo service, you're asking for trouble:

deseretnews.com | 'Raid' can be embarrassing - or worse:

" A prominent, married Utah couple recently photographed each other in the nude. They thought that storing the private shots at one of the new free, online photo storage-and-sharing sites would clear up space on their home computer, and that it would be secure.

They were wrong, which they learned when copies of their photos were sent to the news media.

'This has been an absolutely horrendous, mortifying experience,' the husband says. 'We never wanted anybody to see them.'

While the media chose not to publish the photos or identify the couple, judging that would unfairly intrude on their privacy, the pair became unwitting examples of just how dangerous it can be to store anything sensitive online, or on any computer that connects to the Internet, without serious firewalls.

The couple insists they never told anyone the photos existed or ever shared them. Computer experts say that is possible, and that enemies or thieves can remotely raid computers of the unwary to find and exploit files and passwords. But they add that most people are careless enough that the most high-tech types of raids are not really needed."



The moral of the story is don't put it online if you don't plan to share it with the world. Period.

0 comments:

Post a Comment

  • Health Care Reform Explained from B... Dan Roam at the Back of the Napkin Blog sums up the current health care reform effort in this four part health care series, Healthcare Napkins All. Great back of the...
  • Why We Need A Health Care Revolutio... Dr. Val Jones' road to revolution provides her personal perspective on the current state of our health care system and why we all need to work for change.Don't miss the...
  • The important lesson from sandcastl... As I return to West Virginia after a week spent at the beach -- this post by Jim Carrol, Futurist, Trends & Innovation Expert, caught my attention. Much of my week on...
  • A little Nick: I'm a liberal an... Law blogger posts online: Don't miss reading this post by my favorite hospital blogging CEO, Nick Jacobs over at Nick's Blog. Much of what Nick has to say strikes a chord with me and this post is...
  • Executive Order Impacts Health Care... Law blogger posts online: President Bush signed an Executive Order on August 22 requiring federal agencies to do more to inform public health care consumers about the cost and quality of health...
  • eHealthWV: West Virginia EHR Public... Law blogger posts online: As a part of West Virginia's participation in the Health Information Security and Privacy Collaborative (HISPC), West Virginia Medical Institute and its partners launch...
  • Physicians vs. Patient: Rating-Perm... Interesting post from the WSJ Health Blog on Medical Justice's new ratings-permission contracts (press release on service).This new service offered by Medical Justice...
  • Just when you thought it was safe: ... Law blogger posts online: I’ve blogged previously about just how much I hate browser toolbars and nothing much has changed in the four years that have passed. Call me nosey, but when I’m...
  • Governor Manchin Approves Cardiac C...The West Virginia Health Care Authority website indicates today that Governor Manchin approved the final revised certificate of need Cardiac Catheterization Standards.
  • A Law Actually Interview with… Litt... Next up in the interview chair is Gemma from Little Tiny Pieces. Little Tiny Pieces is an interesting name?  What it inspired it; does it have any hidden meanings?...
  • Let the voting commence!... Law blogger posts online: Yes, after two long weeks of nominations, the shortlist for the 2010 Blawggies has been decided and voting for the awards can officially begin! The polls will remain...
  • Is blogging good for your health?... Law blogger posts online: Is blogging good for your health?This Boston Globe article, Cancer blogs become part of treatment, indicates that blogging about your condition has a positive impact.The...
  • ADVANCE Magazine - Article on EHRs ... Recently I was interviewed for an article looking at the legal issues involved in the developing world of EHRs and PHRs written by Beth Walsh for ADVANCE Magazine. The...