[Googling Security: How Much Does Google Know About You?] [By: Conti, Greg] [October, 2008]

by Greg Conti

What Does Google Know about You? And Who Are They Telling? When you use Google’s “free” services, you pay, big time–with personal information about yourself. Google is making a fortune on what it knows about you…and you may be shocked by just how much Google does know. Googling Security is the first book to reveal how Google’s vast information stockpiles could be used against you or your business–and what you can do to protect yourself. Unlike other books on Google hacking, this book covers information you disclose when using all of Google’s top applications, not just what savvy users can retrieve via Google’s search results. West Point computer science professor Greg Conti reveals the privacy implications of Gmail, Google Maps, Google Talk, Google Groups, Google Alerts, Google’s new mobile applications, and more. Drawing on his own advanced security research, Conti shows how Google’s databases can be used by others with bad intent, even if Google succeeds in its pledge of “don’t be evil.” This book is a wake-up call and a “how-to” self-defense an indispensable resource for everyone, from private citizens to security professionals, who relies on Google. Preface xiii Acknowledgments xix About the Author xxi Chapter 1: Googling 1 Chapter 2: Information Flows and Leakage 31 Chapter 3: Footprints, Fingerprints, and Connections 59 Chapter 4: Search 97 Chapter 5: Communications 139 Chapter 6: Mapping, Directions, and Imagery 177 Chapter 7: Advertising and Embedded Content 205 Chapter 8: Googlebot 239 Chapter 9: Countermeasures 259 Chapter 10: Conclusions and a Look to the Future 299 Index 317

Genres: Technical, Technology

Paperback

First published October 10, 2008

Reviews

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

The internet can be a scary place and this books helps readers to understand how scary it can be and what you can do to protect yourself. The book covers the basics of how the internet and search engines can leave you vulnerable. While the book seems to focus on the dangers of relying too heavily on Google, there are plenty of other horrors in the book. If anything Google almost seems to come out ahead of other companies who end up having giant data dumps.

The basic premise of the book is that we trade in some privacy for convenience online. The more Google et al. know about us the more they can cater to our desires. So if you want relevant search results you may need to let these faceless companies know your habits, likes and dislikes.

I didn't find too much shocking about this book, it pretty much confirmed other articles I've read about how companies on the internet track you. The book is written for people who may not be familiar with security protocols but does get in to some pretty standard IT stuff. I'm not sure who the audience would be for this book it's too technical for the average reader who might actually be concerned and yet not practical enough for the security specialist who needs to draft policy or plug security leaks. It was interesting to read about the different sites and programs that have been developed to try and answer the problems inherent in Google and the internet.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very important book for anyone concerned about their online security. People should be keenly aware of what is associated with 'free' online services and what's in it for the companies who provide you with online access to email, maps, search, etc. in this day and age, we as consumers cannot afford to be ignorant of how the Internet works or who's watching and making money off of us. Just remember, if the 'service' is free, you are the product.

[Dustin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was good up to about the 3rd or 4th chapter. After that, it became extremely repetitive. So much so that I almost knew what it was going to say before I read it. However, the principles it discusses about online security are relevant particularly regarding search engines. I did feel that the risks involved were somewhat overhyped and got worse as the book went along.

[Marcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow! Really makes you think about the cumulative value of the bits of data you make available (often inadvertently) on the Internet. Being in the tech industry, much of this wasn't new to me, yet the authors presented it with fresh perspective. They posed a couple of views that I hadn't considered. A must read if you're trusting any personal data on the net.