In February or March of 2006, Dave Gift and others had recommended that
the Google's desktop be removed because not only do it violate the
current AUP but because of security issues as well. We have our own
image on all new computers which has the desktop and tool bar removed.
With HIPAA, we cannot allow anyone to "browse" other systems to find out
data they are not supposed to have and then there is Google...they have
yet to give me a reason to really trust them.
Linda Losik
HIPAA Security Officer
Health Information Technology
-----Original Message-----
From: MSU Network Administrators Group [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of John Gorentz
Sent: Tuesday, May 29, 2007 8:57 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [MSUNAG] Google on Dell computers
A handful of new Dell computers is on its way to us. I wonder if they
come pre-installed with this Google "spyware."
http://www.techworld.com/security/news/index.cfm?newsid=8930
Yeah, that's a fairly broad definition of spyware, and this stuff
doesn't seem to include the "personalization" features that are the ones
I really would not want on our computers. I'm not sure there are even
any "call home" functions in it. Just the same, there is no good
reason to trust these people, given their checkered history on privacy
and civil liberties issues. And I'd like all of our browsers to
operate the same out of the box. If nothing else, it's a good
windmill-of-the-day to tilt against.
It sounds as though there are several components that need to be removed
if one doesn't want it. Has anyone seen a complete, definitive list.
I've seen some discussions about what to remove, but nothing remotely
authoritative even by internet standards.
I'm also wondering if the MSU Computer Store routinely negotiates terms
that would keep such things out of MSU-purchased computers, at least.
(I suppose this forum is not the authoritative source for information on
that, though!)
John Gorentz
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