Google Issues Critical New Threat Advisory — Take Action Now
In a recent update to their threat advisory board, Google has confirmed that online scams are on the rise, with more than $1 trillion lost globally in 2024 alone.
The Global Anti-Scam Alliance's State of Scams Report revealed that organized international groups are now dominating the scam landscape, using AI-powered campaigns to target users. The boundary between online and physical fraud is blurring, with hybrid campaigns combining phone calls with internet calls to action.
Google's Trust and Safety teams have issued a new threat advisory, warning of five pressing attack trends that have been identified:
- Customer support scams, often displaying fake phone numbers while pretending to be legitimate help services, are evolving and exploiting victims through social engineering and web vulnerabilities.
- Malicious advertising scams, employing lures such as free or cracked productivity software and games, have also evolved, targeting more sophisticated users with valuable assets like crypto wallets or significant online influence.
- Fake travel websites are becoming increasingly common, luring victims with misleading information about package delivery status.
- Road toll scams continue to appear, sending fraudulent text messages claiming that users owe unpaid toll fees.
- SMS phishing attacks are on the rise, with scammers using dynamic URLs and attachments to evade existing intelligence.
According to Paul Walsh, a security veteran who has been around the online business for over two decades, addressing phishing at source is the only workable solution. "Relying on historical data is useless—new URLs evade existing intelligence by design," he advised, adding that authenticating URLs before delivery is the only way to ensure they are safe.
Walsh's advice highlights the need for a zero-trust approach, where users authenticate everything and verify information through their own web browsers. This approach can help prevent phishing attacks and other online scams.
Take Action Now
To stay safe online, follow these tips:
- Avoid clicking on links in emails or text messages without verifying the source first.
- Always go to the source yourself using your web browser.
- Verify package delivery status through shipping companies or sellers directly.
- Be cautious of toll road fee claims, and do not respond unless you are certain it is a legitimate request.
By taking these precautions, you can reduce your risk of falling victim to online scams and phishing attacks. Stay vigilant and take action now to protect yourself online.