Google Denies Gmail Scam Risk – But You Still Need to Do This
▼ Summary
– Google denies reports of a widespread Gmail security risk affecting desktop and laptop users.
– Scam emails impersonate Google Support, claiming account access attempts and requesting password resets.
– These scams are backed by phone calls where fraudsters trick users into revealing reset information.
– Google states its protections block over 99.9% of phishing and malware attempts from reaching users.
– A separate data breach at Google involved a Salesforce database leak for commercial advertising purposes only.
Google has officially refuted recent claims suggesting Gmail users face an elevated risk of scam emails on desktop and laptop devices. While the company maintains that its security systems remain robust, experts continue to advise users to take proactive steps to safeguard their accounts.
It’s strongly recommended that users change their Google password regularly, especially if it hasn’t been updated in some time. More importantly, enabling two-factor authentication provides a critical safety net in case your password is ever compromised. You can review and strengthen your account’s security settings by visiting Google’s Security Check-up page.
A key point to remember is that Google will never proactively contact you to reset your account. Any email claiming to be from Google Support stating that someone tried to access your account and urging a password reset is fraudulent. These messages are part of a sophisticated vishing campaign, where fake emails are often followed by actual phone calls from scammers posing as support agents.
During these calls, fraudsters persuade users to reset their passwords and share the new credentials, effectively handing over account access. Once inside, scammers can lock the original user out by changing the password and recovery options.
In a rare blog post addressing the rumors, Google stated, “We want to reassure our users that Gmail’s protections are strong and effective. Several inaccurate claims surfaced recently that incorrectly stated that we issued a broad warning to all Gmail users about a major Gmail security issue. This is entirely false.” The company emphasized that its systems block over 99.9% of phishing and malware attempts before they reach users’ inboxes.
It’s worth noting that a separate incident involving a Salesforce database did lead to a data leak at Google in recent weeks. However, this breach was limited to commercial information and affected only contacts targeted for advertising purposes, not personal Gmail accounts.
(Source: Stuff.tv)
