ID: IRCNE2012061514
Date: 2012-06-06
According to “ComputerWorld”, Google began warning users of its Gmail online email services when it suspects they may be targets of "state-sponsored" attacks.
Google has begun putting this warning at the top of its Gmail page if it suspects that the user may have been targeted by what it called "state-sponsored" hackers.
It was the second time in the last two weeks that Google has deployed security-related alerts to a small fraction of those who use its services.
But the company was coy about how it knows whether a specific individual has been targeted by attacks paid for or designed by governments.
"You might ask how we know this activity is state-sponsored," said Eric Grosse, Google's vice president of security engineering, in a Tuesday blog. "We can't go into the details without giving away information that would be helpful to these bad actors."
The new warning states: "We believe state-sponsored attackers may be attempting to compromise your account or computer." It will appear at the top of the Gmail page if the user has logged in with his or her Google account. The message is not limited to those who use Google's own Chrome, but will pop up in any browser.
"It does not necessarily mean that your account has been hijacked. It just means that we believe you may be a target, of phishing or malware for example, and that you should take immediate steps to secure your account," he said.
Two weeks ago Google began alerting users whose Windows PCs or Macs remain infected with the DNSChanger malware.
In July 2011, Google also warned customers whose systems were infected with fake antivirus software, or "scareware."
Google's state-sponsored warning includes a link to a page on Google's Help website, where the company hinted at why it issued the alert.
"It's likely that you received emails containing malicious attachments, links to malicious software downloads, or links to fake websites that are designed to steal your passwords or other personal information," the help page states.
"It's important to note that Google's internal systems are not compromised and that this message does not refer to one specific campaign," the page read.
Google urged users who receive the warning to update their software, including their browsers, operating systems and browser plug-ins; and ensure they're logging onto the legitimate Gmail website.
Related Links:
Google alerts users to DNSChanger malware infection
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