Your Gmail Account Is at Risk: FBI Recommendations for Protecting Your Account
Are you concerned about the security of your Gmail account? The FBI has issued alerts about a rise in scams that put your personal information at risk.
With over 1.8 billion active users in 2024, according to Demandsage, Gmail is an attractive target for cybercriminals.
The FBI has warned of a significant increase in fraud and account theft attempts related to this email service.
Scams have become more sophisticated, using vulnerabilities such as session cookies and social engineering techniques to gain access to victims' accounts.
- How do attacks work?
Cybercriminals are using methods that circumvent even two-step authentication, which until recently was considered a security barrier. This is possible thanks to the theft of login cookies, small files that store data about our credentials and preferences in the account.
The process begins when the victim accesses a malicious link or downloads an infected program. This allows the hackers to capture active cookies and access accounts that have previously been “Remember this device” selected. From there, they can take control of services associated with Gmail, such as social networks or banking apps.
Although this alert is associated with any email service such as Yahoo or Outlook, in addition to Gmail.
That's why FBI cybersecurity experts have issued a series of basic guidelines to avoid falling for these scams, according to Forbes .
In addition, users should maintain a good security routine, whether to clean their devices or to protect against hackers. Here are the recommendations:
- Clear cookies regularly : Delete data stored in your browser to reduce the risk.
- Avoid the “Remember on this device” option : Although convenient, it increases vulnerabilities.
- Access only secure websites : Make sure the site has an HTTPS connection before entering credentials.
- Check your login history : In your Gmail settings, check for suspicious access to your account.
Given these new strategies, Google is developing more advanced solutions to enhance the security of its users. They realize that cookies are a weak point in the digital ecosystem and are working on technologies to reduce the risk of exposure.
Additionally, they promote the use of tools such as physical authentication tools and biometric verification systems that add an extra layer of protection against these sophisticated attacks.
What is clear is that Gmail’s popularity makes it a frequent target for cybercriminals. Protecting your account requires attention and taking preventative measures, such as deleting cookies and avoiding suspicious links.