Google Base was flooded with porn marketing days after its launch despite claims spam postings would not be a problem for the search engine giant's online classified service.

Glitches in Google's SafeSearch feature meant the filter temporarily failed to block xxx listings earlier this week. Google said it has now resolved the issue, CNet reports (http://news.com.com/Google+fixes+glitch+that+unleashed+flood+of+porn/2100-1025_3-5969799.html?tag=nefd.top). With the filter turned off, Google Base remains awash (http://base.google.com/base/search?q=sex&searchBase=Search+Base&hl=en) with pr0n, much like the wider internet.

Meanwhile security researchers have highlighted a security flaw also involving Google Base, leading to criticism that Google failed to carry out adequate testing before releasing it as a public beta earlier this month. Jim Ley discovered cross-site scripting holes in the service that create a means for hackers to steal cookies and thereby access users gmail accounts, as explained here (http://jibbering.com/blog/?p=187). Google has fixed the glitch but its decision to host Google Base on the same domain as gmail, along with its failure to respond to Ley's reports of a problem, have led to some rancor.

Google Base allows user to post information which can range from recipe tips or classified advertisements. Items listed on Google Base will also appear elsewhere on Google including via its web index and Froogle comparison shopping site. ®

Related stories

Cookie monster menaces Google (18 January 2007)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/01/18/google_patches_cookie_bugs/
Google-based malware search tool surfaces (18 July 2006)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/07/18/malware_search/
Gmail phishing email offers $500 prize (12 July 2006)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/07/12/gmail_phish/
Search results lead to malicious sites (16 May 2006)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/05/16/mcafee_search_risks_survey/
Full-up Google choking on web spam? (4 May 2006)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/05/04/google_bigdaddy_chaos/
Aussies reject 'opt-in' for porn (22 March 2006)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/03/22/aussie_reject_filters/
Google sets up Base for retailers (16 March 2006)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/03/16/google_base/
BMW and Ricoh Germany delisted from Google (6 February 2006)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/02/06/bmw_removed/
Google AdSense Trojan prowls cyberspace (30 December 2005)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/12/30/google_adsense_trojan/
Euro-publisher chief slates 'parasitic' search firms (7 December 2005)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/12/07/google_epc/
Phishing with Google Desktop (3 December 2005)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/12/03/google_desktop_vuln/
Anti-virus scanner added to Google Gmail (2 December 2005)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/12/02/gmail_anti-virus_scanner/
Google tests click-to-call (28 November 2005)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/11/28/google_click_to_call/
Beyond the web, Google opens Base (17 November 2005)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/11/17/google_base_unveiled/
Google targets Craigslist, eBay for destruction (27 October 2005)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/10/27/google_base/
Google Earth: the black helicopters have landed (14 October 2005)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/10/14/google_earth_competition_results/
Google DNS glitch sparks hacking fears (9 May 2005)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/05/09/google_dns_glitch/
Botnets strangle Google Adwords campaigns (3 February 2005)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/02/03/google_adwords_attack/
Google plugs brace of GMail security flaws (17 January 2005)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/01/17/google_security_bugs/