Google has issued an urgent security alert to its 2.5 billion Gmail users, cautioning about a significant increase in scams during the holiday season. In a blog post on its Product News platform, the tech giant urged users to stay vigilant, As it is known that cybercriminals often ramp up their activities around this time of year.
“With more than 2.5 billion users, Gmail is the world’s largest email provider, and we know how important it is to keep inboxes everywhere safe. We invest heavily to meet this responsibility, blocking more than 99.9% of spam, phishing, and malware in Gmail,” Google stated.
The company identified three prevalent scams:
- Invoice Scams: Fraudulent emails mimic legitimate invoices, urging victims to dispute charges. Scammers exploit these interactions to steal payments or sensitive data.
- Celebrity Scams: These involve impersonating celebrities or claiming false endorsements to lure victims into scams, often resulting in financial loss or identity theft.
- Extortion Scams: Threatening emails include personal details to intimidate victims into paying a ransom. Scammers often claim they’ll release compromising information or cause harm if demands aren’t met.
Google advised users to protect themselves by following four key steps:
- Slow Down: Don’t act on urgency tactics in emails claiming “immediate action required.” Take time to verify the situation.
- Spot Check: Examine sender details and cross-reference information. Conduct online searches to confirm the email’s authenticity.
- Stop and Don’t Send: Legitimate entities won’t ask for immediate payments or sensitive information via email. Avoid sharing passwords or financial details.
- Report It: Mark suspicious emails as spam or phishing. Reporting helps protect users and supports broader anti-scam efforts.
To counter rising threats, Google has introduced advanced AI tools, including a new large language model (LLM) specifically trained on phishing and malware. This technology has blocked 20% more spam and processed 1,000 times more user-reported threats daily.
A new AI model deployed before Black Friday also analyzes hundreds of threat signals in real time, reinforcing Gmail’s protections. By staying informed and cautious, users can navigate the holiday season with greater security.
