Vista search function may cause data leakage

Artner's analysts warn that Windows Vista allows users to add metadata to their files to enhance their PC's search capabilities, but these annotations may pose a risk of user privacy or embarrassing information disclosure.

One of the biggest features of Microsoft's Windows Vista, which is scheduled for release in the second half of 2006, is the enhancement of search and organization capabilities. However, despite these features, Microsoft does not pay enough attention to how to manage this metadata, which is likely to cause these metadata to be inadvertently leaked to other users inside and outside the company.

Analysts say, for example, users may use “good customers" and "bad customers" as keywords, if this contract file containing keywords is sent to the user, It can cause embarrassment and even loss of business.

Microsoft will provide a simple metadata removal tool in Windows Vista, but it's not enough. "If you rely on users to delete metadata, there will be a lot of leaks." "Gartner analyst Michael Silver said, "This process must be automated!"

Microsoft's Windows Vista product manager Michael Burk said that Microsoft is very concerned about the privacy and security of users. “Microsoft has heard the voice of users and added innovative mechanisms for metadata, allowing users to easily manage and search for files while ensuring user privacy. & rdquo; Burk said in a press release issued by Microsoft.

In the past, there have been cases where the metadata of the company was accidentally leaked and the company and the government were embarrassed. For example, the tracking and revision function of the Word file sent by SCO Group accidentally reveals the object that it originally intended to sue. Recently, the German Merck drug factory has recently been referred to by thousands of people, because an internal document leaked the text of the study report on the side effects of the painkiller Vioxx. Workshare removal tool software provider Workshare said that other things like the White House, the Pentagon, the United Nations, etc. have had similar document data leaks.

With the increase in the use of metadata in Windows Vista, Microsoft has increased this problem. It is highly likely that the user will send the file without deleting the metadata, causing unnecessary embarrassment. Gartner said that Microsoft should design metadata management and protection tools in Windows Vista, and this issue in Windows Vista should have been resolved during the development process.

Garnter suggested in the report that companies should have plans and policies for managing metadata before adopting Windows Vista. Analysts suggest that third-party tools can be purchased to manage metadata. “Even, companies should avoid Windows Vista before Microsoft has a complete solution. ”