|
A utility called Google Desktop is now coming pre-installed on many new Windows computers. Others are downloading it from Google's Web site or installing it as an add-on when they install other applications. The fact that Google Desktop is being installed when you install other applications is not always apparent. You should always check the Advanced Installation options or similar option when applying a software update to be sure you know what is being installed on your computer.
This utility is designed, in part, to allow users to find things more quickly on any of their computers. Unfortunately, this option also poses a security risk. If you use the Search Across Computers option, a copy of any Word document, spreadsheet, PDF, etc., you work on, any e-mail, chats, or Web site history will be stored on a Google server for 30 days so that you can quickly find that information from any of your other computers. This means that confidential data will no longer be solely on your computer, but also on a Google server. In other words, Dartmouth's confidential data will be on a server that can potentially be compromised without our knowledge. This is an unacceptable risk for Dartmouth. If you keep sensitive information, for example social security numbers, salary data, credit card information, medical, confidential legal information, or personally identifiable student information, you must remove Google Desktop from your computer.
To do this, click Start, Control Panel, then Add or Remove Programs. Click Google Desktop from the list of programs that appear, then click Remove. When prompted to remove it from all users, click Yes.
If you have questions, please contact the IT Service Desk (Help Desk) at 646-2999 and select from the options provided, send electronic mail help@dartmouth.edu, or call your department's IT support office.
|
