How Much Do We Trust Shared Online Docs?
Posted on June 1, 2008
4 Comments
I received a comment on my recent Firefox 3: Most Visited post the other day and it’s still sitting in the moderation queue as I wonder what to do with it. Most comments are easy to divide between spam and useful, but this one has caused me to stop and ponder.
It’s a link to a shared document over at Google Docs.
So now I have to wonder — is that a new virus / malware delivery mechanism? Or was the commenter honestly being helpful and linking me something he thought I’d want to see?
I’m probably not going to click the link, but I’ll always wonder…
What do you think? Do we need to be more cautious with online shared documents? Is there potential for using them to deliver bad stuff?
Tags: google-docs, malware, onlineoffice, security, virus
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4 Responses to “How Much Do We Trust Shared Online Docs?”
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I am a little hesitant to use them, myself. I probably wouldn’t open it unless I knew the person.
A comment field is the place for the comment. It’s just good manners. If I want to link you an article I’d give a synopsis of what you’re linking to and then include a link to the article. I wouldn’t link to an attachment or directly to a .doc .zip .exe or any other downloadable. It’d be rude.
I think linking to shared docs would fall into the same category.
Oh, and the question to me isn’t do I trust the shared document… but do I automatically trust everybody on the internet. The fact that we all moderate our blog comments answers that question I think. :/ It’s not a distrust issue as much as it is a “get off my yard!” issue lol. Litter where you want, but not on my blog.
@Denice - agreed. As Rich notes, I guess it really comes down (once again) to trust.
@Rich - I used to trust everyone on the internet. Then I compiled a web browser to check out that http thingy I was reading about.
Hand me my geritol, wouldja?
Well obviously I should have clarified. usenet = completely trustworthy.
The bit with the pictures and the clicking and the flash. *shudder* It’s a sewer. Never go there.