Many Google+ Invitations Likely Spam

One of the most sought-after downloads on the Internet is Google+, the new social network designed to rival Facebook. Now, online scammers are targeting the curious, sending out spam messages under the guise of fictitious Google+ invitations.

"Insane Demand" for Google+ Service

Google launched their social network just over a week ago in an invite-only testing phase (early members were encouraged to invite their friends to join), but new member additions were stopped the very next day due to an "insane demand" for the service. (Source: cio.com)

This obviously raised a few red flags for a number of online scumbags, and spam messages began almost immediately after the high volume of traffic was revealed to the public.

Analysts believe that the timing of the release works in the favor of spammers, since many people are still hearing about the new social network on a word-of-mouth basis. Finding an email in their inbox with a tagline containing the buzzword "Google+" would likely be enough to entice a curious individual to click the message.

Google+ Spam Messages Redirect to Fake Sites

Officials have since traced the spam messages back to those purporting to be pharmaceutical vendors.

Popular security company Sophos warns that the spam messages "look similar to the real emails that users may receive from friends who are already members of Google+. However, clicking on the links will not take you to the new social network, but instead take you to a pharmacy website set up to sell the likes of Viagra, Cialis and Levitra." (Source: computerworld.com)

Security officials continue to urge users to never click on unfamiliar messages -- no matter how compelling the topic -- and to read up on Google+ from only trusted sites and sources.