Google Blocking Exploit Searches?
The Email Battles website is claiming that Google and MSN have been blocking searches designed to root out vulnerable PHPBB servers. The website says that, occasionally, query strings commonly used by “script kiddies” are blocked, to prevent them from finding servers that are open to attack.
I can’t confirm this through my own searches, so I was hoping someone could help me out by pointing out a working example. If you are worried about publishing the exploit query string, leave a comment with at least two links and it’ll stay in moderation, with instructions for me to delete the string.
So, what are the implications of this? Well, if Google is blocking these searches, it is doing so as a public service, basically declaring that searches that serve no purpose except to do harm are off limits. I like the intention, but I’m not so sure I like the action or the precedent.
What if, in the future, Google decides to block all commonly used searches that can be used to harm others. For example, what if Google decides to block “i am 9..12 years old”, a query that can be used by pedophiles to find children of a certain age range? What if Google decided to block searches for gun trade shows, or steroids, or porn?
I realize the PHPBB search serves zero purpose beyond harm, since it is a code string found in unsecure servers, but it could represent a path many do not want Google to traverse. Even as Google fights the Department of Justice for our privacy rights, it is important to remember that we have the right to search for the wrong things.
(via Techdirt)
[…] From InsideGoogle: The Email Battles website is claiming that Google and MSN have been blocking searches designed to root out vulnerable PHPBB servers. The website says that, occasionally, query strings commonly used by “script kiddies” are blocked, to prevent them from finding servers that are open to attack. […]
Pingback by michaelzimmer.org » Blog Archive » Google Blocking Certain Searches | January 20, 2006
Google blocks out porn if you ask them to, and spam (0 PageRank sites) even if you don’t want them to.
This seems no different.
Comment by Hashim | January 21, 2006
I do not think that this is a problem. Even though I am not a huge fan of Google, I understand that their search results are their own proprietary property.
If they arbitrarily decide somethings can’t be touched, then somethings can’t be touched. I don’t hold a museum in bitterness if they showcase something and tell me look but dont touch. I dont hold it against them if they tell me part of the museum is closed to visitors. Could I raise a stink - especially if I paid? Sure - but in the end, it’s still museum property.
I say Google has a right to block certain searches. And I wish they would block more, like porn, child porn, gun trade shows, etc. I think it’s their right and and their obligation to sensor to some degree.
I also applaud Google for fighting the Feds about search records. I see the Feds fighting for that as a terrible move. What happened to Karl Rove? I thought he was in charge of spinning the Republicans good and the Democrats bad?
Comment by Cryptblade | January 23, 2006
I enjoy the naive belief that everyone seems to have that “this is a right”. Whether I believe what google is doing is right or not, is irrelevant, what I do know, is that you are using a service provided by a company and it doesn’t guarantee the “right” to anything. They can block whatever they want to, and the only “right” you have is to not use Google for your searches.
Comment by madbroi | March 7, 2006
Some have argued that Google is a public service, and that its stated corporate philosophy says that it supports the “democracy” of the web. Either way, the idea that Google blocks some searches does break down my trust in their search.
You say that I have the right not to use Google, and you’re absolutely right. And this sort of thing would influence my decision.
Comment by Nathan Weinberg | March 7, 2006
I have personally found that its hard enough to get past legitimate promotions being blocked. If you use a particular promotion site, google won’t include you no matter how good your content. Promoting www.poundpyramid.com was hard enough given the stigma associated with such sites and despite the fact that my main aim was to provide a trustable version, it seems promotion is a problem.
Comment by Billy | March 29, 2006
It is quite interesting that a site questioning google’s methods are using their adsense program for revenue
Just an afterthought.
Comment by Billy | May 20, 2006
Is google’s adwords campaigns working at the moment?
Comment by Billy | June 1, 2006
I wonder what they figure out next, this is getting rediculous. And people will find another search enige they will use to find the same.
Comment by fora | February 6, 2007
LOL, I clicked the link, and clicked on a search result.
…I really wonder what the site owner is going to think once he/she analyzes the incoming queries!
Comment by Tim | February 10, 2007
are google gettign too big and too scary
Comment by cnfm | March 8, 2007