Google+ Raises Security Concerns?

You've read our analysis on Google+, pitted against Facebook. Some have liked the new network in town and made the switch. Some prefer to stick with Facebook. But from all this, the main parameter that seems to have been forgotten is the aspect of security. Is Google+ safer than Facebook?

Websense Security Labs have carried out a series of tests on Google+ and here are a few of their findings. First up, the main flaw with Google+ is that it could be prone to spam. Random people can add you on circles without your approval, unlike Facebook, where a friend request needs to be accepted. This could be used adversely by spammers to flood your page. This spam can extend to other email addresses, which are not even linked with Google.

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Google+ raises security concerns?

Also, Websense reports that malicious invitations are another problem. Not many users have Google+ access and receiving an e-mail to join the social networking site will prompt many to just click on any message that says, ‘Here’s your invitation to Google+’. Also, e-mail notifications can be adversely used by spammers to attack accounts. Besides, Google+ is still in its beta stage. People do not know what exactly the site looks like and might just wander onto a fake look-alike.

A ‘plus’ point that Google+ currently has, is automatic activation of ‘HTTPS’ secure log-in, which is, by default de-activated on Facebook. Also, if you do not want certain notifications or people to appear in your circles, you can simply block them out. However, Google does need to take care of the security flaws mentioned above, in one way or another, to prevent Google+ from turning into a goldmine for spammers and attackers.

Which social networking site according to you raises more security concerns? Google+ or Facebook? Let us know in the comments section below.