6 new ways Google is protecting you from scams
The threat of online scams and fraud is an ever-present reality in our connected world, and the volume of scams is only growing. Nearly 60% of people globally have experienced a scam in the last year. Yet while increased connectivity has certainly fueled this rise in scams, the bigger shift is this: widespread access to cutting-edge technology is making scams more convincing and nefarious than ever before.
Just a few years ago, spotting a phishing email meant looking out for tell-tale signs like grammatical errors or strange attachments. Today, people are routinely encountering elaborate phishing attempts that use techniques like voice cloning, deepfakes and social engineering for convincing impersonations.
That’s why we’re continuously innovating and rolling out new security features that are built into our products. In a world where malicious content is almost indistinguishable from the real thing, these features and initiatives are designed to help you avoid scams altogether, or spot them before they cause harm.
New protections in Google Messages
1. Safer links are now available in Google Messages. Scammers often use text messages to send malicious links designed to steal your information. Now, if Google Messages suspects a message is spam, it will warn you when you click on any links within it and stop you from visiting the potentially harmful website, unless you explicitly mark the message as "not spam." This protection is now available globally to all Google Messages users.
2. Key Verifier is now available in Google Messages. Android's new Key Verifier tool adds an extra layer of trust to your private conversations by protecting Google Messages users from impersonators and fraudsters. It works by allowing you to scan a QR code for your trusted contacts, adding extra assurance that your end-to-end encrypted messages are truly private with the right person on the other end. Key Verifier is now available to all Android 10+ users and we will be rolling out more protections built on Key Verifier to keep you safe from scams and fraud.
New account recovery tools
We’re continually rolling out security enhancements as part of our broader effort to strengthen Google Account access and keep scammers out, but we understand compromises happen. According to a study we did with Morning Consult, about 4 in 5 consumers globally are worried about losing access to all their online accounts through a hack. That's why we're expanding our recovery tools to help eligible personal account holders quickly and securely regain access with less frustration. These updates layer on existing recovery methods, creating a strong safety net when you need more options.
3. You can now set up Recovery Contacts. Today, we’re introducing Recovery Contacts, a new safety feature for eligible personal Google Accounts that allows you to designate trusted friends or family members as Recovery Contacts. If you're locked out due to a forgotten password, lost passkey device, or account compromise, these contacts can help verify your identity, providing a simple and secure way to regain access when standard recovery methods fail. You’ll find Recovery Contacts under Security in your Google Account, which has been newly redesigned to make managing your personal information easier.
4. You can now regain access with your mobile number. We understand phones get lost, stolen or broken and don’t want to add losing access to your Google Account to the headache. To make recovery on a new Android device easier, we’re introducing Google's Sign in with Mobile Number, which automatically identifies your accounts using your phone number. All you need is the lock-screen passcode from your previous device for verification, no password needed. We are introducing this gradually worldwide — watch for it on a phone near you.
More education and scam awareness efforts
Though Google offers a range of tools and insights that automatically keep you safe from scams and informed about the latest campaigns, we want to ensure you stay protected no matter what platform you’re on. That’s why we’re investing in educating more people generally on scams and how to spot them. Here are some of our latest efforts:
5. Learn by playing the Be Scam Ready game. Based on inoculation theory, the Be Scam Ready game immerses users in real-life scam and fraud scenarios in a safe, interactive setting. By exposing you to common scam tactics, it raises awareness and helps you develop the critical thinking skills needed to identify and avoid fraud in the real world.
6. Google is committed to protecting youth and older adults. We're working with the National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA), sponsoring their campaign to distribute accessible resources on cyber hygiene and the use of Google's safety products to a broad audience across the U.S. This year, we also joined the Aspen Institute’s National Task Force on Scam and Fraud Prevention to help develop a report proposing the first coordinated U.S. national strategy to combat scams and fraud. Additionally, we co-founded the National Elder Fraud Coordination Center (NEFCC) with AARP, Amazon and Walmart. The NEFCC’s mission is to reduce elder fraud through private-public coordination and by creating actionable investigative packages for law enforcement. As we expand our efforts for Cybersecurity Awareness Month, we’ll be hosting in-person scam and fraud workshops at our New York City (October 21) and Mountain View (October 28) Google Stores.
From securing account access to fortifying messaging apps and preventing malicious app installations, Google is taking comprehensive steps to build a more secure digital environment for everyone. These ongoing innovations demonstrate a proactive commitment to protecting users from the ever-evolving landscape of online scams and fraud. Stay vigilant, and rest assured that Google is working hard to keep you safe. Learn more about how on our website.
