Phishing eMail Example – [The Google Docs Hoax]

A Phishing eMail example such as the Google Docs Hoax prove how people can be tricked into believing they are real. The google docs hoax was one of the more sophisticated phishing email example to hit the google email system recently. It was only seen for a short period before google shut it down.

The Phishing Email Example That Fooled Almost Everyone

It was a very real looking email made to appear as if someone you knew sent the document. That was not the case. This fake email was effective because it fooled almost everyone. Fortunately it only lasted about one hour and google recognized the hack and shut it down. Not before it gained quite a few email addresses and access to users accounts.

If someone you know sends you an email that asks you to click on a Google Docs link…Delete it!

Seniors need to beware of this type of scam, for more information read Scams Targeting Seniors. Learn some new ways to protect yourself from this type of scam.

Unless you are absolutely sure an email is legitimate, it must be considered a phishing email hoax. One simple click on the allow button and “permission is granted”. That allows access to the entire email contact list. As a result, phishing emails are sent to every address on the list. Understand that will affect all your friends, family, and anyone on you personal contact list. Do not allow this to happen to you.

Why Was The “Google Docs Hoax” Phishing Email Example So Successful?

Wikipedia defines Phishing as: “ the attempt to obtain sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details (and, indirectly, money), often for malicious reasons, by disguising as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication.”

How was the latest one of the Phishing eMail examples called the “Google Docs Hoax” so successful? Here’s how it happened.

The attackers created a fake malicious app called “Google Docs”. The App looked very real and many people were completely fooled by it.That is why it was so effective

The immediate acceptance of this hoax by so many people make it one of the top phishing eMail examples yet.

Realistic Looking App Mimicked “Google Docs”

Because the hoax mimicked the look of the “Google Docs” layout, people were convinced it was a legitimate email from a friend. Once they trusted the email, they clicked the link to allow the document. Once they did that, they granted access to all their contacts. This is a scary thing. This was quite sophisticated, and people everywhere fell for it.

A very close inspection revealed some clues that something was up. For instance, the sender’s return address showed up as a series of hhhhhhhh @ mailinator {dot} com. A good look at the return address would have revealed something wasn’t right.

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Google’s Issued Statement

We have taken action to protect users against an email impersonating Google Docs, and have disabled offending accounts,” the company said in a statement. “We’ve removed the fake pages, pushed updates through Safe Browsing, and our abuse team is working to prevent this kind of spoofing from happening again. We encourage users to report phishing emails in Gmail.

Later Google Issued a More Detailed Official Statement

We realize people are concerned about their Google accounts, and we’re now able to give a fuller explanation after further investigation. We have taken action to protect users against an email spam campaign impersonating Google Docs, which affected fewer than 0.1 percent of Gmail users.

This protected users from this attack through a combination of automatic and manual actions, including removing the fake pages and applications, and pushing updates through Safe Browsing, Gmail, and other anti-abuse systems.

We were able to stop the campaign within approximately one hour. Only contact information was accessed and used by the campaign. Investigations show that no other data was exposed. There’s no further action users need to take regarding this event; users who want to review third party apps connected to their account can visit Google Security Checkup.

Policy and Security Updates Were Changed After This Phishing Email Example

Google changed the spam filtering and updated policies on third party authentication. Apps that request data are more closely monitored. As a result, Google has enabled a pop-up to be displayed on mobile devices when any suspicious activity is discovered.

It displays “Warning- phishing(web forgery) suspected”. It alerts you of a possible phishing site. This is likely part of googles recent updates or the Safe Browsing database, where they keep a catalog of sites know to have malware. 

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Phishing Email Attack at Democratic National Party

A phishing email attack happened to the Leader of the Democratic National Party, John Podestra. Some of the emails leaked classified information. That should be a wake-up call for our political leaders to be more careful.

The important point here is that this can happen to anybody. Phishing email examples like these are becoming more and more common. But, this particular one was very troubling.This involved classified information from our government leaders.

Hacked Account of John Podestra

 John Podestra was the former White House chief of staff and chairman of Hillary Clinton’s 2016 U.S. presidential campaign. The hacking of his account, brought into question the possibility of presidential election interference by the Russians.

Cybersecurity researchers and the United States government did link Russia to this activity. The hacking group-Fancy Bear- is responsible for the data breach. The group, called Fancy Bear, is affiliated with the Russian intelligence agency.

Gmail is huge

Google has over 1 billion users. The hoax affected a reported 0.1% of their users. That would amount to over 1 million people, which is quite a significant number. Overall, a small percentage, but a large number of people nonetheless.

When you receive an email from someone you already know, you immediately think that the document is safe. Not anymore. Any document asking you to click on any link is suspicious.

To be sure the document is authentic, always send the person a new email using their own original address and ask if they sent it to you. Do not use any address found in the document.

This is also one of ways seniors get involved unwittingly in some email scams. learn more about the Top Senior Citizen Scams and how to protect yourself.

New Help for Small Businesses Against Email Phishing Attacks

If a small businesses received a phishing document that compromised their computer, the results could be devastating. Also, emails that contain a specific clients name, could trick people into thinking it was legit before they checked it carefully.

The FTC announced new help for small business owners. A new website small businesses can use. Victims of phishing attacks such as the “Google Doc Hoax”,now have some help. This help offered is free of charge to small business owners.

ftc.gov/SmallBusiness

Here they will make education videos and articles available for businesses to use in protecting their business. Those business operating on a tight budget will welcome the help.

Acting Chairman Ohlhausen said. “This innovative new website is a one-stop shop, where small businesses can find information to protect themselves from scammers and hackers,as well as resources they can use if they are hit with a cyber-attack.”

One type of scam uses fake invoices. Invoices that Businesses receive, contain charges for items that were never ordered or products that were never sent.

Sometimes, the boxes sent in the mail are empty, and don’t contain anything. The bogus bills get paid if the victims fail to examine the invoice carefully. They also target businesses by installing malware to steal information, or planting ransom-ware.

Know Your Rights

• If someone sends you goods or products you didn’t order, don’t pay for it. Don’t return it. It is yours to keep.
• Train one person to handle calls. This allows them to recognize would-be scammers.
• Carefully inspect your invoices. Only pay for goods and services you have ordered and actually received.
• File a complaint about any fraudulent activity. Call 1-877-FTC-HELP or visit    ftc.gov/complaint

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Read More about Scams and Frauds Here

If you have been a victim of a fraud or scam, or have a question, please write a comment below and tell us about it.

Chas

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