Google has released critical anti-phishing security update to its Gmail app, making it easier for users to protect themselves.
Google revealed the new feature in a post to its G Suite updates blog. “This week we’re introducing a new security feature in Gmail for Android to help you keep your email safer”, they stated.
The security feature for Gmail on Android will show a popup warning when users click on a suspicious link. While users still have the option to proceed to the website, Google hopes this warning will encourage people to be more cautious about the links they click on.
This move comes just hours after news broke online that several users received an email appearing to be a Google Doc with a phishing vulnerability, the internet search giant released a statement urging people not to open mail from unidentified users.
The phishing email stated that someone you knew shared a Google Doc with you. Click on that “Open in Docs” button and the link redirects users to a real Google-hosted page, TechCrunch reported. Everyone in your Google address book would then get the same phishing email with only your as the sender.
The Email
The malicious emails appeared to be addressed to ‘hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh@mailinator.com‘ with recipients BCC’d. The cycle continued on for about an hour until Google was able to shut it down. There’s currently no evidence anything more malicious occurred and it is not clear what the aim of the scam was.
Google stated in a blog post that “the problem with Google Drive should be resolved”. With the release of this new update to Gmail, it seems Google took this breach seriously.
The feature will be a gradual roll out, and will take a few days to reach all users worldwide. It is unclear whether the update will be available on iOS or desktop users.
Don’t have an Android device or using your desktop? Don’t worry, we’ve laid out some tips for identifying a phishing email.