The internet had much cause for concern yesterday when it became apparent that a sophisticated Google Docs phishing attack was making the rounds. Countless users across the globe received emails informing them that a contact they know has sent them a Google Docs file when in reality they hadn’t. Those who fell for it ended up allowing the app to access their account and spread the phishing scam to more contacts through their accounts. Google put a stop to it quickly and it has now released a new update for the Gmail for Android app so that it’s even better at blocking such attacks.
Phishing refers to the fraudulent act of sending emails to unsuspecting users purporting to be from contacts and companies that they know in a bid to extract personal information like passwords, credit card numbers, addresses etc from them.
Gmail for Android now has an anti-phishing security check. The app will provide users with an additional warning when they click on a link in an email that the app deems to be suspicious.
“The site you are trying to visit has been identified as a forgery, intended to trick you into disclosing financial, personal or other sensitive information,” the warning will read. It will also show an option to open the link anyway at the user’s own risk or to report it as an incorrect warning.
Google says that this new anti-phishing measure is going to be rolled out gradually for all Gmail for Android users over the coming days.
Filed in . Read more about Apps and GMail. Source: gsuiteupdates.googleblog