Fake Google+ business page threatens bank's reputation

Google's move to open its upcoming social network Google+ to businesses appears to have backfired in the case of at least one US-based bank, a computer security firm said. Sophos said the fake Google+ Bank of America page attacks the bank's reputation, even as the "Occupy Wall Street" movement continues. "It does not appear this page was actually controlled by Bank of America (BoA), rather it seems to have been created by the attackers by tricking Google into giving them a business page under BoA's name," it said in a blog post. It noted the attackers "put quite a bit of effort" into painting BoA in a bad light, posting several articles derogatory to the bank. The attacks appeared to have started on November 8, after Google opened Google+ to businesses. Sophos said that while Google may have a real-names-only policy, "apparently their verification process leaves something to be desired." "We have not seen a lot of abuse on the Google Plus service to date, but I am sure this incident is just the tip of the iceberg," it added. — TJD, GMA News