Google Confirms Gmail Attacks—Do Not Ignore FBI Warning
Feb 05, 2025 - forbes.com
Google has issued a new warning about a sophisticated phishing attack targeting its users, emphasizing the importance of adhering to basic security practices. The attack involved a fake call from Google's support team, appearing legitimate with a matching email from a Google domain, and was only stopped when the scammer made a mistake. Google stresses that it will never call users to reset passwords or troubleshoot account issues and is working to strengthen defenses against such scams. The company highlights that while this particular attack was highly targeted, fraudulent support calls are widespread across various sectors, including banking and law enforcement.
The article underscores the need for users to understand that legitimate tech support or financial institutions will not initiate unsolicited contact. The FBI and other agencies have issued similar warnings, advising individuals to ignore unexpected calls requesting sensitive actions. The key takeaway is that sticking to simple security measures, like not engaging with unsolicited calls, can effectively protect users from becoming victims of scams.
Key takeaways:
Google has issued a warning about a sophisticated AI-driven phishing attack targeting its users.
The attack involved fraudulent support calls and emails that appeared to be from legitimate Google sources.
Google emphasizes that it will never call users to reset passwords or troubleshoot account issues.
The FBI and other agencies warn that legitimate companies will not initiate unsolicited contact with individuals.
