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This package installs a cron job that affects how apt functions on your system. You're basically giving google root on your machine.


Yeah, a closed source application installed as root, with the express purpose of accessing your webcam and microphone. What could go wrong?


Here's the header of the /etc/crontab.daily/google-talkplugin file. I'm not that ninja with my cron-tabbing, but doesn't this do exactly what it says?

http://pastebin.com/4etPxNWC


Yes, and it's pretty much harmless in itself, but since when does installing one package (esp. from a third party with no verification beforehand) install a new apt key into your keyring (thus allowing all packages signed by that key, no matter what they are) and reconfigure the package manager itself? It's ludicrous.


It's probably a mistake, and they'll put some prompts and options in once they realize Linux users don't like giving root so freely.

They're probably accustomed to trusting their own software with root, so didn't even think about it.


It's not a mistake: the development deb for Chrome did exactly this - installed the repository key and a cron job to "protect" the apt-sources entry. Of course it's not really doing this secretly, in that you can read about it in the post-install script before you run dpkg, but I agree it doesn't feel right.

Also, can't this be said of any package you install through the package manager? If you install it as root, then in principle you're giving root access to whatever is in the package. If you don't like it, there's always a way to run it with ordinary permissions (but the extra fiddling to get that working may be hairy) or under mandatory access control (definitely hairy).


It's probably a mistake

Nah, it was probably just developed for internal Google consumption.


If you run their code in any way you're already giving them control of your system. Even if you're one of the vanishingly small number of people who use a separate admin account they're getting full control of your account if they want it.

Installing a repo & apt key is a good sign that they're playing by the rules rather than trying something sneaky.




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