Login with social networks: What are the risks of using your Google or Facebook account on other websites?

November 14, 2024

16 minutes of reading

The use of social networks such as Google and Facebook to log in to websites and applications has become increasingly common. “Single sign-on” (SSO), also known as “social sign-on”, is a practice that offers speed and convenience, allowing the user to access different platforms with just one click, without the need to create a new account or a password for each of them. SSO (Single Sign-On) is an authentication scheme that allows an organization to gain consented access to a user's personal information while enabling registration and login to services, rather than requiring registration through an independent form.

However, although it is a convenience, this practice raises some concerns, especially when we refer to the security and privacy of data shared between services. For this reason, it is essential to understand how this technology works, what its benefits and the risks involved, so that the user can consciously decide whether or not to use this authentication.

Although social login facilitates access to various online services, it can pose a risk to digital security. Compromising a primary account, such as Google or Facebook, allows cybercriminals to break into other websites and applications linked to it. This practice exposes users to the risk of personal and financial data leakage, compromising their privacy. Furthermore, social login may also lead to sharing personal information with third parties, which may compromise user privacy.

With the popularization of social login, users need to adopt protective measures and be aware of the privacy policies of the websites that use them. Through a detailed analysis of logging in with Google or Facebook, this article will address security and privacy , helping you make informed choices about how to use this tool.

Login with Google or Facebook, also called social login , is a form of authentication that allows the user to access websites and applications using their social media accounts. single authentication process , where a service account is used as the main identity to validate access to other websites. Through this process, it provides a faster and more simplified experience for the user. An example of this is “Continue with Google” , a very simple way to register and log in to websites or applications. To do this, simply click a button and allow the sharing of some personal account data with the third-party online service.

For this type of authentication to work, the website or application where the user wants to connect must support this authentication. When choosing this option, the user is redirected to the Facebook or Google platform, where they log in or confirm their identity. When authorized, the outsourced service receives authentication from the originating platform, allowing access without re-registering.

The convenience of social login is evident, but this ease comes at a price: privacy. By allowing third-party platforms to access data from their social media accounts, users open the door to potential vulnerabilities. This apparently harmless practice can compromise the security of personal information and raise concerns about data protection. For this reason, this practice raises worrying questions about the security of personal information and the risks associated with this integration.

Since it makes it easier for users to access different platforms without having to create new accounts and passwords, social login quickly became popular. In the digital world, we need to use various services that are available in the digital environment, so people are looking for the simplest and easiest authentication method. Logging in with Google or Facebook fits this need, and many companies offer this functionality knowing that users prefer to access their service with just one click.

This type of login also makes life easier for developers, who can implement social login in a simple way, using only the APIs provided by Google and Facebook. This will help in user conversion, eliminating the registration barrier that often discourages a potential customer from proceeding.

In this way, social login is also a strategic tool for attracting and retaining users, reducing abandonments that occur during the registration stage. In this sense, it proves to be an extremely valuable tool with several benefits for the company.

Furthermore, social login also offers a unified experience, allowing the user to use the same digital identity on different websites. In addition to saving time, this also reduces the need to remember multiple passwords, making social login a practical and very popular solution.

In practice, social login works through an authentication process that uses your Google or Facebook account as the main credential. The site redirects the user to an authentication page for the chosen social network when they select this login using one of the accounts. There, he can provide his login credentials or confirm his identity.

This process is quite secure to some extent as the user does not share their account password Instead, the site is only given a temporary access key that allows login, meaning that even if the site is hacked, it will not have access to the user's credentials.

However, this form of authentication is not risk-free. If the user's main account is compromised, all platforms, websites and applications where they used social login can be accessed by the attacker, exposing the user to potential security risks and diversion of personal information . Despite the ease, logging into other applications with a Google or Facebook account is far from the recommendations of cybersecurity experts. The reason is simple: a little inattention is enough to leak a lot of user data.

Social login is a strategy that offers several advantages for users, such as greater convenience in accessing websites without having to create an account. This type of login also reduces the number of passwords that the user needs to manage, reducing the possibility of forgetting access credentials. Additionally, social login facilitates data integration between different platforms, providing a personalized and integrated experience.

The practicality of social login is indisputable, but this convenience hides a significant risk: dependence on a single credential. By using the same account to access different online services, users concentrate all their data in a single point. If someone compromises that account, all linked websites and apps are at risk.

Using social login on untrustworthy sites exacerbates these risks. Without paying attention to the necessary precautions in the digital environment, the user may end up allowing access to personal data to companies or platforms that do not adopt adequate security practices in accordance with legislation . Furthermore, the risk is also true for those who take the opposite path. In other words, anyone who hacks a Google or Facebook account will also have access keys to these sites.

Another reason is that, by using Google and Facebook logins on third-party websites, companies can monitor online behavior and map the use of these platforms. This means that, if there is a leak of Facebook or Google credentials via “table”, cybercriminals will also have access to all websites to which this account is connected.

Social login brings a series of advantages that go beyond the practicality of quick access. Among the main benefits are the simplicity of access, as the user can use their social media credentials on other pages. This convenience makes navigation easier and reduces password fatigue , a common phenomenon in everyday use of multiple platforms.

Below are the main benefits that this authentication can provide:

Practicality and time saving

The main benefit of social login is greater practicality , as it allows the user to access multiple platforms without creating numerous accounts. This eliminates the need to fill out countless registration forms and remember different passwords for each site. This means that, with a single login, it is possible to quickly access different services, making navigation more practical.

Simplified authentication provides a more fluid user experience, especially in mobile apps where entering and managing passwords can be more challenging. This way, instead of remembering countless passwords or resorting to managers, social login offers a more convenient alternative.

For users who access a large number of applications and websites, this time saving is very beneficial. This convenience helps explain why social login has become such a common, popular and widely adopted practice today.

Integration with platforms and personalized experience

In addition to providing more practicality, social login allows for data integration that benefits the user experience. When using a Google or Facebook login, the user allows the website or application to access information from their profile, facilitating the creation of a personalized profile .

Data integration allows the website or application to offer suggestions for products and services aligned with the user's interests, bringing advantages in various situations. For example, in the case of e-commerce, social login helps personalize product recommendations based on the information shared.

However, this personalization depends on the sharing of personal information, and transparency about what data is being shared is essential for the user to feel safer and be able to benefit from this experience.

While social login offers a lot of convenience, it also comes with risks associated with sharing personal data. When using their Google or Facebook accounts for authentication, users end up sharing their profile data with third-party sites, such as name , email , and, in some cases, sensitive information .

Indiscriminate sharing can increase the exposure of your data and put your privacy at risk. Here are the potential risks and disadvantages of social login:

Sharing of personal data

Sharing personal data is one of the main risks of social login. By choosing to log in with Google or Facebook, the user allows the application or website to receive information such as name, photo, email and even list of friends. This represents a vulnerability in terms of privacy, as this data can be stored and even used inappropriately .

By linking accounts, the user allows the transmission of personal information to the website, being able to share more data than expected due to the easy configuration. Although Facebook, Google, Microsoft or Apple allow you to verify all third-party connections, revoking access does not mean you are also revoking the site's consent to use the data

A recent data leak revealed some details about the working mechanisms of Google searches, including how the platform's algorithm prioritizes results and classifies its content. The leaked information suggests that Google's algorithm is based on a complex set of factors that go beyond the simple use of keywords, incorporating some elements of machine learning and personalization to deliver more specific and relevant results.

Furthermore, this leak raised concerns about privacy and information security, as cybercriminals may have accessed users' sensitive data. This situation highlights the need for greater transparency and also to invest in the protection of personal information, especially on platforms that play such a fundamental role in digital life.

A security breach on Facebook in 2018 exposed around 50 million accounts, according to the platform itself. The leak was associated with the “View as” function, which allowed cybercriminals to obtain “access tokens” to take ownership of accounts without needing to provide passwords. In addition to the 50 million accounts that were directly exposed, another 40 million were reset as a precaution.

Depending on the level of permission that is granted, third-party websites may use personal data for marketing and other purposes, increasing the exposure of the user's personal data. Less ethical companies may pass this information on to third parties and use it for invasive .

For this reason, it is important to be aware of the permissions requested when logging in socially. Sites that request access to information beyond what is necessary may be interested in using that information for other purposes.

Therefore, pay attention to the permissions requested when logging in to social media. Pages and platforms that request access to information beyond what is necessary may be interested in using this data for other purposes. In accordance with the General Data Protection Law (LGPD), companies that collect and process personal data have the responsibility to guarantee the privacy and security of this information, in addition to requesting only the data strictly necessary for the specific purpose.

Exposure to vulnerabilities and attacks

Another big risk with social login is the possibility of exposure to vulnerabilities and attacks . When the user uses their main account to log in to other websites, they are centralizing their access to a single credential. When that account is compromised, whether through a phishing or a brute force , all connected websites are also vulnerable.

Centralizing access increases the impact of a security breach, as the attacker can access multiple services with the same account. Additionally, targeted attacks, such as data theft using social engineering , can expose the user to attempted identity theft and financial fraud .

According to information released by the Cybernews , more than 26 billion user information from around the world (approximately 12 terabytes of personal data or 78 million pages of PDF documents) were leaked and are in the hands of cybercriminals.

Therefore, it is important that the user adopts security measures, such as multi-factor authentication and constant review of login permissions. These practices help mitigate the risk of exposure to attacks and ensure a higher level of protection for the primary account.

Using social login with Google or Facebook involves several privacy and security issues that affect user data protection. This form of authentication is practical, but it requires the sharing of personal information, exposing the user to unnecessary risks.

Security is also a concern, as social login centralizes access to a single account. This means that if someone compromises a primary account, all linked services could be vulnerable. Reliance on the security and privacy policies of login platforms like Google and Facebook leaves users subject to unexpected changes.

These factors make it essential to understand the best data sharing practices, the care needed to maintain the confidentiality of information and the potential vulnerabilities that social login can bring.

How is data shared with third party sites?

When logging in with Google or Facebook on a third-party website, the user allows these social networks to share some profile information with the platform in question. This sharing may include basic data, such as name and email, or more detailed information, depending on the registration made, such as profile photo and contacts.

Furthermore, by linking their accounts, the user authorizes the transmission of personal data to the website and, due to the ease of configuration, may end up consenting to the transfer of more information than was initially authorized. The amount and type of information shared depends on both the permissions requested by the website and the privacy settings defined by the user, making it essential to carefully analyze these factors before proceeding with integration.

Sharing data makes it easier to personalize credentials and allows the user to access the site with their social identity. However, it is essential that the user is aware of what is being shared and with whom, as some platforms may misuse this information .

To ensure greater control over the data that is shared, the user should constantly review social login permissions and adjust them as necessary. This practice helps preserve privacy and limits the use of personal data by the website or platform.

Potential vulnerabilities and attack examples

Although practical, social login is an approach that leaves room for some type of attack. Phishing example , is a strategy used by cybercriminals that can compromise social media accounts and websites connected to them. In this attack, the user provides their credentials on a fake page pretending to be Google or Facebook, granting access to the attackers.

In 2024, phishing attacks remain one of the most dangerous threats in the digital security landscape. According to a recent study released by Security Leaders , 90% of cyber attacks on companies begin with a phishing email. Furthermore, the research highlights that companies face, on average, 1,168 phishing attacks per year globally.

This increase reflects more phishing attempts, highlighting the growing sophistication of cybercriminals, who personalize messages to increase their chances of success. This threat requires companies to strengthen their defense methods , educating their employees and adopting automated detection and response technologies to mitigate risks.

Session hijacking is another example of this type of attack, where hackers exploit security flaws on the website to capture authentication tokens and access users' accounts without the need for a password. Although these tokens are temporary, hackers can intercept them during social login and use them to access user data.

These attacks demonstrate how social login can create vulnerabilities and reinforce the importance of strengthening security practices when using this authentication. The use of multi-factor authentication and constant monitoring of account activity are essential to minimize the risks associated with these approaches.

Given the benefits and vulnerabilities that can be found when using social login, it is necessary for users to implement good security practices that help strengthen data protection. In this sense, we have separated the best practices to help users protect themselves:

Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

One of the best ways to protect your primary account when using social login is to enable multi-factor authentication . With MFA, the user needs a second form of verification in addition to the password, such as a code sent via SMS or an authenticator app. This extra layer of security makes unauthorized access difficult and increases the protection of your information. It is safer for you to create a separate account protected with a strong and unique password for websites that store your personal information such as your full name, address, bank details or credit card numbers. Also, enable two-factor authentication (2FA).

We should consider multi-factor authentication especially important for Google and Facebook accounts, as users use these credentials across multiple websites and applications. By implementing this measure, the user considerably increases the security of their account and reduces the risk of access compromise.

Review connected app permissions

Another very important practice to increase security when using social login is to periodically review the permissions of connected applications. Over time, the user accumulates a number of websites and applications that use social login, many of which may no longer be necessary. In this sense, avoid maintaining unnecessary connections to reduce data exposure.

To review these permissions, the user can access their Google or Facebook account settings and manage who is authorized to use it. It is recommended that we disconnect applications and websites that we no longer use to reduce third-party access to our personal data. It is recommended that we disconnect applications and websites that we no longer use to reduce third-party access to our personal data.

In addition to protecting privacy, this habit also prevents unknown websites from accessing unnecessary information.

Monitor suspicious activity

Monitoring suspicious activity is a fundamental security practice for anyone using social login. Both Google and Facebook offer activity monitoring tools so that the user can view active sessions and devices connected to the account, so any common activity can indicate a possible compromise.

In this case, the user must take quick action, such as changing the password or checking the account security settings. Maintaining constant attention helps you quickly identify and respond to potential threats, protecting access to other sites that rely on social login.

Furthermore, it is recommended that the user regularly review the security settings in their account and remain alert to any security alert messages.

Given the vulnerabilities of this authentication, it is very important that the user is aware of how to use it on a daily basis. For this reason, we have selected some situations in which logging in with Google or Facebook may not be the best solution:

Unreliable and dubious websites

Avoiding social logins on websites and applications of dubious origin is essential to protect data privacy. Unknown websites or those that do not implement good security practices are unable to adequately protect user information, making it easy for cybercriminals . Furthermore, many of these platforms may collect and use your data inappropriately or illegally , causing inconvenience to the user.

In general, the best alternative is to avoid social login on sites that do not have a security certificate or that appear suspicious in any way. Larger platforms offer data protection guarantees that many less reliable sites do not.

Security certificates, known as SSL (Secure Sockets Layer), are essential for encrypting communication between the browser and the server, protecting data against interception. Sites that have this certificate are identified by the “https” at the beginning of the URL and also by the padlock icon in the address bar , indicating a protected connection.

Sites without this certificate leave data more exposed to third-party attacks, such as man-in-the-middle attacks, where cybercriminals can intercept and steal information. In this way, by avoiding social logins on websites without a certificate, the user reduces the risk of exposing their credentials and maintains their digital security at a higher level. When choosing where to use social login, take a cautious approach and avoid suspicious sites, limiting the use of this technology to trusted pages and platforms.

Secure alternative: create account with strong password

When social login is not possible or there is some concern about the privacy of information (such as on sites involving sensitive financial or personal data), it is recommended that an exclusive account be created with a very strong password , instead of using social login . This strategy will increase security, as it isolates access to that site without relying on a main account.

Creating a strong password that combines letters, numbers and special characters is a very simple and efficient measure to prevent account compromise. It is also advisable to use a password manager to store and create secure passwords . Preventing social login on critical sites reduces the risk of a breach compromising multiple accounts, protecting sensitive and financial data.

As we can see throughout this article, social login with Google and Facebook offers a convenient way to access various websites and applications, delivering speed and convenience . However, it is very important that the user is aware of the risks involved, especially in relation to data sharing and the vulnerabilities that can be found in the digital environment.

To make the most of this tool, the user must adopt good practices, such as activating multi-factor authentication and periodically reviewing permissions. By following these guidelines, users can minimize the risks associated with social login and ensure safer browsing.