What you wanted to know but never dared to ask about Spiceworks

Spiceworks is great free Helpdesk, Services desk, asset management, network monitoring…. all in solution. The best thing about Spiceworks is online community which has an answer for your IT problems.

Now, what about privacy? Do you care about privacy? Spiceworks has been awarded TRUSTe’s Privacy Seal signifying that their privacy policy and practices have been reviewed by TRUSTe for compliance of their privacy policy.

Let’s assume that this is the case and that your data is anonymous. But what kind of data is theoretically available to Spiceworks? What you wanted to know but never dared to ask about Spiceworks

Data available to Spiceworks

Hardware

For example let’s say that you have 250 desktop computers, 50 laptops and 20 servers. Why would that data be important to Spiceworks and it’s affiliates?
When 4 years pass and hardware is usually about to be replaced, you would get offers from vendors for Server X, PC Y, desktop computer Z

Warranty information

All of the hardware has warranty expiration. Vendors would be able to see warranty that is about to expire. You would receive quotes for warranty renewal from companies you don’t know of.

Supplies information

What about consumables? Yes, as soon your toner would be reaching 10% you would receive an offer from Supplier X for that very toner.

Software information

Vendors would be able to see which software you have installed and trend of purchases

How could that data be of use to Spiceworks and it’s affiliates?

Vendors would be able to see if you are in license compliance or not. Competing companies would be able to send you special deals on software migrations think about Symantec backup.

Passwords

If you want to take the best out of Spiceworks, you have to provide your credentials. SNMP and Windows domain. This would be great for NSA who would be able to tap in to your network with ease. You may work for a company that you think is not interesting. Think again. NSA would get all a lot of important information. Then there are banks, insurance companies….

But Spiceworks wouldn’t do that…

Really? What is a goal for every company? To increase revenue, profit, happy investors. If all of this is met, then the board is happy. Now, what if NSA has a great proposal? They do have black funds. And black funds could be transferred to the pockets of the people who decide on company future. If those people would get rich, would they care for company? They say it all ends with money…

What do you think? Do you think there are things money can buy? Do you trust Spiceworks? Please share in comments.