Ask.com server-log leak reveals your searches

Be careful what you search for?

Lori Grunin Senior Editor / Advice

I've been reviewing hardware and software, devising testing methodology and handed out buying advice for what seems like forever; I'm currently absorbed by computers and gaming hardware, but previously spent many years concentrating on cameras. I've also volunteered with a cat rescue for over 15 years doing adoptions, designing marketing materials, managing volunteers and, of course, photographing cats.

Expertise Photography, PCs and laptops, gaming and gaming accessories

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Lori Grunin

April 7, 2017 8:40 a.m. PT

While a leak of personal information is never a good thing, Ask.com's public display of its server log this morning seems fairly benign. The log shows IP addresses, as well as the search queries and outgoing links related to them.

The leak was spotted by Paul Shapiro and posted to his Twitter feed on Friday.

Ask says the issues has now been resolved.

"We have been working to address the inadvertent publishing of the Ask.com server status page and can report that this matter has now been globally resolved," said an Ask spokesperson. "We can confirm user IP addresses were not accessible during this incident, only queries and the IP addresses of our internal servers. We regret this error and are committed to protecting the confidentiality and security of our users' information."

It's a reminder of how easily information can be made public by accident. And for the person who searched for "dog heat," I suggest that now is a good time to get her spayed.

First published April 7, 10:20 a.m. ET.
Update, 11:40 a.m. ET: Adds comment from Ask.com.