The Daily Retina
GOOGLE is warning all Gmail users to check for dangerous messages in their inboxes.
The tech giant says that users are being targeted by “deceptive requests” that can raid your bank.
Dig deep into your Gmail inbox to uncover dangerous scams[/caption]
It’s important that all Gmail users know the signs to look out for.
Otherwise online crooks could use clever email scam techniques to empty your bank.
This nightmare scenario might sound like it could never happen to you – but these “phishing” attacks are increasingly sophisticated.
“Phishing is an attempt to steal personal information or break in to online accounts using deceptive emails, messages, ads, or sites that look similar to sites you already use,” Google explains.
“For example, a phishing email might look like it’s from your bank and request private information about your bank account.”
Here are the types of email messages to look out for, according to Google:
- Asks for your personal or financial information
- Asks you to click links or download software
- Impersonates a reputable organization, like your bank, a social media site you use, or your workplace
- Impersonates someone you know, like a family member, friend, or coworker
- Looks exactly like a message from an organization or person you trust
Search for the following terms to see if people are making dangerous requests:
- Usernames and passwords, including password changes
- Social Security or government identification numbers
- Bank account numbers
- PINs (Personal Identification Numbers)
- Credit card numbers
- Birthday
- Other private information, like your mother’s maiden name
And Google also warned users to beware of “get rich quick”, romance, and prize-winner messages – all common scams.
If you find urgent warning phrases in emails demanding that you provide money or personal info, proceed with extreme caution.
Even if the emails appear to come from a trusted contact, they might still be dangerous.
If you find these phrases in your email inbox, you need to take action.
Google says that it’s important to flag phishing emails.
To do this, go to Gmail on a computer then open the message.
Look next to the Reply button for More (an icon made up of three dots arranged vertically).
Now click Report Phishing.
This helps Google blog more phishing attacks in the future.
Google also says that there are five key pieces of advice that you must follow when using your emails.
They include:
- Paying attention to warnings from Google
- Never responding to requests for private info
- Not entering your password after clicking a link in a message
- Being wary of messages that sound urgent or too good to be true
- Stopping and thinking before you click
It’s also possible that email scams may come from loved ones or key contacts.
This is a sign that the sender’s own account has been compromised.
If you suspect that’s the case, it’s extremely important that you contact the sender via another method and warn them.
This could prevent the chain of phishing attacks from spreading even further.
You should also check your inbox for historic phishing messages that you may have fallen for.
If you think you may have been scammed in the past, change your password on relevant apps and services as soon as possible.
Source: The US Sun