Gmail account holders issued uncommon alert after ‘broad warning’ issued to all customers

Google has issued a rare update to Gmail users in a bid to reassure millions of users about the security of the email platform following the recent reports of a mass data leak

It’s been a worrying few weeks for Gmail account holders. Millions of users were recently placed on high alert following reports that a hacking collective – known as ShinyHunters – had succeeded in stealing a substantial amount of data in a significant breach.

It was widely reported that 2.5 million accounts could have been impacted by the leak, with many advised to update their passwords straight away.

Whilst the cyber attack did occur, users might not necessarily need to dash to their settings menu. In an effort to calm concerns about its widely used email service, Google has now issued a statement, reports the Express.

“We want to reassure our users that Gmail’s protections are strong and effective,” Google said.

“Several inaccurate claims surfaced recently that incorrectly stated that we issued a broad warning to all Gmail users about a major Gmail security issue. This is entirely false.”

Alongside this statement, Google also stresses that it has comprehensive security measures that stop nearly all harmful messages from ever reaching Gmail inboxes.

“While it’s always the case that phishers are looking for ways to infiltrate inboxes, our protections continue to block more than 99.9% of phishing and malware attempts from reaching users,” Google added. Of course, with Gmail being such a popular platform, it’s always going to be in the crosshairs of cybercriminals, meaning users need to stay on their toes.

Google recommends users to opt for a secure password alternative like Passkeys and set up two-factor authentication (2FA), which means accounts can only be accessed once a code has been sent to a secondary device.

It’s also smart to consistently adhere to best practices for spotting and reporting phishing attacks.

Four ways to protect your Google account

1. Heed warnings from Google.

2. Never respond to requests for personal information.

3. Avoid entering your password after clicking a link in a message.

4. Be wary of messages that sound urgent or too good to be true.