Microsoft removes Docs.com search feature as it reportedly exposed sensitive files

Microsoft has removed search functionality from Docs.com, its online document sharing service. If a report from ZDNet website is to be believed, the feature has been removed as it inadvertently allowed users to search through millions of file, as well as other users’ personal information.
Some users discovered the flaw over the past weekend and tweeted about it. It allowed public files that are saved on the website to be searched. It’s worth noting that some of these were confidential documents such as password lists, job acceptance letters and even credit card statements.
Although Microsoft removed the search functionality over the weekend itself, other users found the same files available via cached searches through Google search and Bing search.
A Microsoft representative said that the company was “taking steps to help those who may have inadvertently published documents with sensitive information.” It also advised users to change their Docs.com settings.
Earlier this month, Microsoft was reported to have been planning on pushing advertisements in its Windows 10 OS. Spotted by Extreme Tech website, a build of Windows 10 was mentioned as having ads in File Explorer. The ad promoted Microsoft’s own OneDrive cloud storage service, along with paid subscription for Office 365.
The ad was visible as a banner on top of File Explorer and could also be dismissed by clicking the ‘Not Now’ button.
Injecting ads inside Windows 10 isn’t exactly new. Microsoft has been serving advertising on the Windows 10 lock screen, as notifications in Edge browser and even in Google Chrome.
However, the good thing is that the ads in File Explorer can be turned off. All you have to do is head to View > Options, and disable the ‘Show sync provider notifications’ option . This will disable all the notifications for the currently synced Microsoft account.
On a related note, Microsoft recently launched Visual Studio 2017 for app developers. The IDE comes with more language support and new features as compared to Visual Studio 2015.