Have you noticed this email in your Gmail account – Critical Security Alert?
Well, I got this email yesterday from Google. But then I thought to myself, “there are over 1.5 Billion Gmail users, does Google have that amount of time to inform me about the issue, or is this just a scam to get my password?
So, to help myself and users like me who’ve got “Critical Security Alert By Gmail, I just did what we all do – Google it! The very first thing that appeared as the result, was a story from a tech company stating that it might be a Google security alert email scam.
So, how can one figure out that the email stating ‘Critical Security Alert By Google, A new device signed into’’ is legitimate or fake? Well, keep reading to spot the signs!
So, How Does The Google Critical Security Alert Scam Look Like?
Google’s Security Alert feature is a crucial functionality that notifies you every time a new user tries to log in from a new device into your account. It may be you or a wrongdoer! Either way, Google will automatically send you an email to confirm – Is it you, trying to log in from a new device?
The main causes of receiving this Google Security Alert email: When you try to sign in from a new device or you browse the web behind a VPN or a proxy server. For the latter reason, masking your IP Address makes Google think that a login attempt is made from a new device that you don’t usually use and has a unique IP Address!
But again, hackers wouldn’t be hackers if they fail to exploit the vulnerability. They make use of Google’s security alert feature to execute phishing attacks. Several users have even reported getting fake/spam critical security alerts by Gmail.
What To Do When You Get A Google Security Alert Email?
If you think you’ve been a victim of “Google security alert email scam”, here are the following things you can do:
1. Ask Yourself, Whether It Looks Legitimate
If you are trying to log in to your account from a new device or your work system, there’s no harm. If you are surfing while VPN is enabled, there might be a probability that Google has shot the email, since it is trying to recognize the new/unique IP Address. If that’s the scenario, it can undoubtedly be a legitimate false alarm.
2. Cross-Check The Sender Details
You need to verify whether the Google Security Alert email has arrived from the official Google company or not. If it looks suspicious, don’t click on the email!
3. Observe The Quality Of Email
Simply check for the grammatical errors and style of writing and drafting the email. If it is not from a legitimate source like Google, they will not take the pain of proofreading the emails before shooting them. If you spot a spelling mistake or any other flaw that can’t be expected from a company like Google, then it’s a false critical security alert by Google. IGNORE IT!
4. Avoid Emails With Links OR Download Buttons
If the Google Security Alert email urges you to click on the link or download something to get rid of the error or tempts you to secure your account by downloading an application. It’s probably a genuine sign that you are dealing with a fake or phishing email. Make sure you delete the email instantly from your account and DO NOT click any of the attachments sent to you. You’re most likely dealing with a bogus critical security alert from Google.
5. Take Help Of Google Account Security Checkup
Still in doubt? Simply navigate to the Google Security Check-up page. Here you get the entire information related to how many devices are connected, how many of them are currently signed in, third-party access, recent security events, and so on. Have a look at every entry and if you aren’t able to detect anything suspicious, you can be sure that it was a phishing critical security alert by Google.
Additionally, using this Google Security Check-up Page, you can even remove devices that are no longer associated with your accounts or you do not specifically use them to operate your Google account. You can even add a recovery email to regain access to your account if you’re ever locked out. Not only this, by navigating to the Google Security Check-up page, you can learn how Google helps keep your online activities safe!
What Happens When You Fell For The Google Critical Security Alert Scam?
Well, if you’ve accidentally clicked a link from the phishing email or have downloaded a file or application on your device. Here’s what you need to understand:
- If you’ve fallen for a phishing attack, it means hackers now have your password & also installed malicious content on your device.
- They might take quick screenshots of your device
- They might steal your password saved on Drive or Browser.
- They might steal and delete your precious files.
- They might bombard you with useless advertisements.
- Install multiple copies of malware, adware, spyware, and run them secretly.
Don’t panic, as there are a variety of workarounds you can implement to get rid of the Google Security Alert Email Scam.
How Do I Get Rid Of Google Critical Security Alert Scam?
First of all, you need to act fast! If you spot any unknown or suspicious activity on your device, here’s what you need to do:
1. Change All Your Passwords
Simply delete all the saved passwords from your browser & other accounts. You need to change them quickly. Make sure you do not use the same password for all of your accounts. If you think it gets hard to remember numerous credentials, simply take the help of a dedicated Password Manager like TweakPass! It also brings a Password Generator utility to provide users with strong, unique, and complex passwords.
2. Scan Your Device For Virus Or Malware
As we’ve mentioned, if hackers have access to your device, they can perform plenty of wrongdoings. One of them is installing multiple copies of malware, adware, spyware & other viruses. Therefore, you need to scan your device and locate the malicious content using a reliable Antivirus Tool that can help you detect them automatically and help you
detect such threats automatically and allows you to safeguard your entire device for 360-degree protection.
- For Windows Users
- For Mac Users
- For Android Users
- For iPhone Users
- For Linux Users
Hopefully, the damage done by the “Google security alert email scam” is also resolved by now. If you know or use any other reliable antivirus protection software for your device, do let us know in the comments section below!
3. Run ID Theft Protection Service
It is highly recommended that you avoid saving credentials on your device (Notes app or anywhere else). If you need to check whether your system stores any Privacy Exposing threats, quickly scan your device with ID Theft Protection Service like Advanced Identity Protector. If found, the ID Theft Service will allow you to either shred them permanently or save them in a Secure Vault, which can only be accessed by you & no one else.
Eliminate Critical Security Alert Email Immediately!
Keep in mind that deleting the phishing email from your Inbox should do the trick. But you also need to be very careful when it comes to shielding your device from potential threats using an Antivirus tool. Additionally, surfing the web with complete consciousness, while maintaining digital hygiene is a necessary action to keep yourself and your device safe from malicious content & other security threats. If you are still concerned about your security, do drop us a mail at admin@wsxdn.com
We’ll try our best to help you resolve the issue!
In case you’ve ever been a target of a Google security alert email scam, do not forget to share your personal experience of dealing with it in the comments section below!