GMAIL USERS WARNED OF AI-POWERED PHISHING SCAMS
Posted on October 14, 2024 by News Desk
With hackers continuously advancing their methods, Gmail users now face a new wave of sophisticated phishing attacks powered by artificial intelligence. Google, serving over 2.5 billion users, has become a prime target for scammers leveraging AI to create highly convincing scams.
Recently, Microsoft solutions consultant Sam Mitrovic narrowly avoided a phishing scam. The attack began with a Gmail account recovery request, followed by a phone call from a supposed Google support agent. “He asked if I was traveling,” Mitrovic shared. “When I said no, he claimed someone had logged into my account from Germany.” The caller’s voice seemed so flawless that it eventually revealed the scam as AI-driven.
Garry Tan, Y Combinator founder, recently encountered a similar scam where the caller, claiming to verify his identity, cited a fake death certificate. Tan warned others to stay alert, as the phishing attempt was aimed at bypassing account security.
In addition to AI-powered calls, scammers are using legitimate Google tools like Google Forms to enhance their schemes. By sending emails through Google servers, these scams appear credible, tricking users into sharing sensitive information.
To counteract these scams, Google has launched the Global Signal Exchange (GSE), a collaboration with the Global Anti-Scam Alliance and DNS Research Federation, aimed at providing real-time cybercrime insights. Google’s Amanda Storey described GSE as a solution designed to operate on an internet-wide scale, protecting users against AI-driven threats.
Gmail users should remain cautious of unsolicited recovery requests or calls. When contacted by someone claiming to be from Google support, verify the authenticity of the interaction before sharing any information.