Increasing cyber threats at Google
Google has already clarified that its employees are being targeted by hackers using extortion emails, which are highly disturbing concerning the internal security.
According to the firm, messages have been sent to some of its executives stating that the attackers had stolen privacy information and needed money to hush it.
These attacks are being addressed as a high-volume affair that is, a lot of individuals in different organizations might be having similar threats.
Google is also inquiring into it, though so far, the company has not confirmed whether their attackers are actually in possession of the data they demand.
What the Emails Say
The extortion messages accuse hackers of accessing Google files of its Oracle business applications.
Part of these assertions names connections with the notorious ransomware group Cl0p that has already been associated with a number of major cyberattacks in recent years.
In the case of the emails, the alleged information is threatened to be released with threats of having no demands met.
Nevertheless, Google has made it clear that the company has yet to establish definite evidence that the attackers, in fact, own the alleged stolen information.
Response/Monitoring at Google
Google is not ignoring these threats, and it is following the situation.
Although the employees of Google are the ones that are targeted by the attacks, the company claims that it is working on how to place barriers around its systems, to make inquiries about the breach that might have occurred, and to fore see future occurrences that would not harm its systems.
As Google has not shown the number of employees already affected, it has led to confirming that these are not solitary issues and that the instances of such extortions are on the rise.
Why This Is The Case: Email Security and Corporate Risk
This event highlights the fact that even large technology companies are susceptible to hacker extortion drives.
Employees are thought to typically present a low barrier to attack by cybercriminals, and email threats have continued to be one of the most frequently used vectors.
Attackers can consider targeting the Google workers to exploit humanity’s weaknesses, such as poor protection of email accounts or phishing. Even minor lapses in the case of achievement result in huge company losses.
This is a warning that should be needed by companies all over. It is a wake-up call that Google email security (or any other organization) needs to remain first-rate.
Powerful authentication, employee education, and close supervision are the necessary security measures.
What Should Employees Do?
You have to be careful of any element of load email, even though they appear valid.
Always avoid clicking on suspicious links/attachments.
Forward any suspicious emails to your IT department or your security team as quickly as possible.
Use different passwords whenever there is a suspicion, and use multi-factor authentication where it exists.
What Lies Ahead
Google is still under inquiry. Cl0p and Oracle have not reacted to such allegations in the press. The actual extent of the attack is unclear.
In case these threats are verified, they can have severe reputational and security implications particularly for Google.
This episode is also part of another trend, cyber criminals are becoming bold, and victims are people working in large corporations.
