So Google Desktop had a big, honking security hole in it, huh?  That's what The Washington Post is saying, anyway.  Why does that sound familiar?  Oh!  That's right!  Because we've talked about the potential security threats posed by Google Desktop in the past.

According to the Washington Post, the security vulnerability in Google Desktop allowed malicious individuals to not only search other computers, but also, in theory, take control of the computer.  Exploiting the hole would require additional code to be installed on a user's computer.  But Watchfire researchers said that code could be installed in a number of ways, including email attachments.

Now to be fair, it should be pointed out that the vast majority of applications that deal with Internet data are open to the same flaw.  But, as the Washington Post points out, the sensitive nature of the information that Google Desktop deals with makes it a high priority on the "to fix" list.

Google apparently did fix the hole earlier in the month.  If you're a Google Desktop user you've got the fix already - it's included in the automatic updates that Google Desktop frequently engages in.  I do have to commend Google on acting quickly to get the problem fixed.

But you have to wonder if what the Washington Post says is true:  Are we heading into an era of increasing security risks because of the growing interaction between our off and online lives?  And if so, why aren't other companies plugging this rather common exploit?