Posted on 02/17/2025 2:28:22 PM PST by DFG
All 1.8 billion Gmail users have been issued a 'red alert' over a scam that lets hackers gain access to accounts.
The attack uses AI to craft deepfake robocalls and malicious emails capable of bypassing security filters.
The combination works to convince victims their Gmail account has been compromised.
Users receive a phone call that suspicious activity was detected in their account and are told an email is soon to follow with steps to rectify the issue.
The email includes a fake website that looks identical to Google's, which prompts users to enter their login credentials.
Cybersecurity experts warned that the goal of this campaign 'is to convince the target to provide the criminals with the user's Gmail recovery code, claiming it's needed to restore the account.'
But it is not just Gmail accounts that arecompromised, all other services connected to the platform are also open to hackers.
The FBI said: 'These sophisticated tactics can result in devastating financial losses, reputational damage, and compromise of sensitive data.'
Malwarebytes published a report last week, telling Gmail users that the FBI's warning 'should not be taken lightly.'
'This is especially because the AI tools that cybercriminals have at their disposal are relatively low cost: In one study, researchers found that the cost of advanced and sophisticated email attacks starts at just $5,' the company added.
That study, conducted by McAfee’s State of Scamiverse, found a convincing deepfake can be made in less than 10 minutes for cheap.
While the FBI's warning last year focused on threats using AI to create videos and emails to trick victims, Malwarebytes uncovered how hackers are using robocalls and emails in the latest campaign.
'None of the elements used in the attacks are novel, but the combination might make the campaign extremely effective,' the cybersecurity experts shared.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Great. I don’t have gmail, but almost everyone else I know uses it.
That’s really scary, will spread the word.
Fortunately, my bank is in my neighborhood and I only do banking in person or by phone.
Not going to fool me. While I have several GMail accts, only two are connected to my bank. Those accts have about $50 in them.
I am well versed in identifying phishing scams.
As if you would ever be able to make contact with/be contacted by a human being at GMail/Google.
Too bad there are people who don’t know that.
Is the phone call from Peggy at Microsoft support in India?
Smart. An online account invites fraud. Only do banking in person.
There are two visions of the future of AI. One is bright with AI finding solutions that humans never could. Another is dystopian where hackers use AI to fool virtually anyone into giving up information and using it to steal from them, or to take out loans and credit cards in peoples’ names. The dystopian future results in an online Dark Ages where everyone just goes offline to avoid being scammed.
Watch for an orchestrated bunch of data breaches affecting all of the country. Elon and DOGE will be blamed.
Helk, google sold your info a long time ago. Chill.
My son uses gmail, and said he got no notice whatsoever.
A good reason to not use a free e-mail account for any financial transactions. They have never been secure.
I use gmail for general internet interactions. All of my financial transactions go through a secure e-mail account.
I’ve been getting emails (that went automatically to Spam) that say my Gmail account is expiring. I just delete them without touching them.
Online accounts are fine. People who believe every call or email shouldn’t have one.
Why anyone would want to access my G-mail account is a mystery to me. It's 99.9% spam mail and the few legit messages I get have no fanatical info.
Use 2 factor authentication
I never got any notifications, and I don’t do banking online, only in person or on phone with a branch rep.
Prediction: AI crap will kill online communications, commerce, etc. We’ll back to normal paper-based business interactions in no time. In the process a lot of people will suffer. Evil component of human nature always prevails.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.