444
submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by tavu@sopuli.xyz to c/privacy@lemmy.ml

@Joe_0237@fosstodon.org wrote:

Today I found out that google docs infects html exports with spyware, no scripts, but links in your document are replaced with invisible google tracking redirects. I was using their software because a friend wanted me to work with him on a google doc, he is a pretty big fan of their software, but we were both somehow absolutely shocked that they would go that far.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[-] d0ntpan1c@lemmy.blahaj.zone 31 points 1 year ago

That's how Microsoft markets their "safe links" in Outlook, which is more or less the same behavior of wrapping all links with a redirect. Whether they actually do anything with that to save you from phishing attempts or whatever... who knows. Even if there is a safety feature, it's still an easy way to mine url query params for data or learn about the user for other purposes (which they may or may not be doing)

IMO if you can't turn it off, there's a secondary motive to the feature. Especially when the feature is marketed from a place of fear rather than aid.

[-] foksmash@lemm.ee 5 points 1 year ago

The MS security feature does work quite well (at least for Enterprise).

I'm not sure I would categorize it as working "quite well". At least not in my experience. It's better than nothing.

[-] foksmash@lemm.ee 2 points 1 year ago

Ya, I would tend to agree and left out the context. It's not our only URL filtering tool, we have a full proxy and URL rewrite in email for that but it does help fill in gaps when people click links from devices we don't manage.

this post was submitted on 05 Oct 2023
444 points (99.1% liked)

Privacy

32165 readers
234 users here now

A place to discuss privacy and freedom in the digital world.

Privacy has become a very important issue in modern society, with companies and governments constantly abusing their power, more and more people are waking up to the importance of digital privacy.

In this community everyone is welcome to post links and discuss topics related to privacy.

Some Rules

Related communities

much thanks to @gary_host_laptop for the logo design :)

founded 5 years ago
MODERATORS