igoogle & login merge & security issues

As google is moving towards 'igoogle' they have asked me (and many others I suppose) to merge our regular google accounts with our adsense accounts. I did so - mainly because I don't have that many e-mailadresses to use as login-adresses. I would rather have them separate, because you know - I want my adsense account to be more secure then the less financially relevant other google products I use.

To my astonishment I found just now that there is no longer an automatic log-out on leaving the adsense website. This is really a security issue for me. There is very private financial information on there and I don't want people to have access to that. Period.

What do you all think - is this just a temporary glitch, or has adsense just gotten less secure?

 

If enough people say something, it will get fixed. I don't see it as much of an issue for me though, as I am the only one who uses the computer that I log onto adsense with.

 

I don't know about you, but I do see a logout button and I always logout, even after merging my accounts:-s

 

Well, computers get stolen, all kinds of things can happen. It just doesn't feel comfortable. This is just such a basic security matter. On the plus side: switching between google adsense and google webmaster tools is a lot faster now.

I guess an alternative would be for google to have an extra secure password for changing financial information. That's how yahoo solves a very similar problem: one logs into yahoo hosting with a general password and yahoo login-name, but when it comes to changing credit card info, there is an extra 'security key' in place.

On the plus-side: there is a button to 'log out' (I just noticed it). So I guess if I want to I can logout. Still, I'd rather have security fixed without me having to think about it. That's a basic usability thing: things people have to think about, will not get done as often.

Anyhow: fireflyproject, you are right: if more people speak up, something will be done about it. I guess the popularity of this thread will show some of the worries people do (or don't have) about this.

 

you can always add protection on your own machine too. user accounts with passwords.

 

Sure, but doesn't google have responsibility on this? I mean, phishing does happen (and even to websavvy people like us) - why make it easier.

This works both ways after all. Someone logs into a fake google mail-account > the phisher tries the account info in google mail > gets a helpful google message which type of accounts belong with this login-info > before you know it google adsense revenue gets wired to someone elses bank account.

 

if you scared so much just click "Sign Out" button on the top left. surely noone can see or use your information. ^^

 

I agree...is clicking logout really that hard?

 

Yes - it is. I just forgot it. This thread reminded me. But it's more then that: security should not be on the shoulders of the user - which is a basic usability insight as far as I'm concerned.

Also: just logging out won't protect me or anybody else from phishing. I'm not really worried about myself in this. I don't use gmail anyhow. The point is that where money is concerned, online security needs to be high - and right now, with google, it just isn't.

 

just make sure you click log out from the igoogle. that should be fine. and dont set the cookie for the page orelse they still can access into it.

 

Look at this thread and tell me I'm wrong to worry: http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showthread.php?t=316932

 

and this one: http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showthread.php?t=363205

 

What I am surprised is that they do not allow me to change my Adsense email address from my Yahoo a/c to my gmail a/c.

Strange they do not have such a system in place.

 

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great post man

 

Adsense has an Auto Logout timer that can be adjusted. Find out more on this thread: http://www.vaughns-1-pagers.com/internet/adsense-vs-ypn.htm

 

nice posting bro