Beware! These 7 Google apps can empty your bank account

Google has become part and parcel of our lives and everyone who uses a smartphone or a computer. The applications and services of the technological giant are very popular, which also makes it a target for cybercriminals. According to a new report from Kaspersky, a cybersecurity firm, online scammers are or rather have been, directed to various Google services such as Calendar, Drive, Photos, among others, to deceive people for money.

List of 7 Google applications that criminals aim to empty their bank account:

1. Google Calendar: By making 'fake' appointments

Scammers send a fake invitation to the users and just before the event, they send reminders. Hackers add invitations to your Google Calendar account that send you a reminder that suggests you have a wire transfer in your bank account and that you must complete the information by adding the PIN number of the account.

2. Google Photos: By sharing photos that 'promise' money

According to Kaspersky, scammers use Google Photos to share photos that include comments on sudden promises of large money transfers. This is possible only when a user responds to an email. "The recipient feels that it is a harmless email from Google Photos with the heading" as somebody shared a photo with you, but it's actually a scam to get money from users.

3. Google Maps: By creating fake business profiles

While this doesn't really take away money but it does hurt real businesses and end up confusing users also. Fake listings are created on Google Maps and at times users might get tricked into dealing with fake business enterprises instead of the actual ones.

4. Google Drive: By using Cloud storage

A lot of phishing pages and malware that target users' personal data – including bank details – often find their way on the Cloud through Google drive. Beware of any suspicious links that you may receive through Google Drive links from unknown sources.

5. Google Storage: By fake images and websites

The Kaspersky report says, "Google Storage is another repository of spam resources. These include links with redirects to fake landing pages and various images for use in spam mailings."

6. Google Forms: By sending fake surveys and quizzes

The form is one tool from Google that allows collecting information from users through surveys and quizzes, which is why scammers actively use it for creating forms and polls to collect personal user data and send unwanted business offers.

7. Google Analytics: Organisations are targeted under this

Cybercriminals target Google Analytics, a tool that is used by many organisations, by sending malicious links which may contain text or images. The link may have enticing subjects but its main target is to collect personal and organisational data.