Another day, another cyber threat, this time targeting your Google Calendar. Aimed at one of the most widely used scheduling tools worldwide, this new wave of Google Calendar attacks has left millions of users vulnerable to phishing scams and data theft.
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Because Google Calendar is so widely used and trusted, it has become a new target for cybercriminals. This is what a Google Calendar attack looks like:
How Google Calendar attacks work
The Google Calendar attack begins with a malicious invitation. Hackers send seemingly legitimate calendar invites, often disguised as meeting requests or reminders from colleagues or friends.
Each of these invitations contain links that, when clicked, redirect users to phishing websites designed to steal sensitive information. The invite itself is real, sent from the hackers Google account. But the links embedded in the invite point to fake websites that look very similar to Google Calendar, but which are under control of the hacker.
Once on the fake website, recipients are prompted to login so the attacker can steal credentials, passwords and other sensitive information.
Attackers are not just targeting Calendar either. They are also abusing Google Docs, Slides, and Forms to create a more convincing attack.
The reason this attack is so effective is because it uses Google’s own services. This allows the malicious invites to slip through spam filters, appearing more legitimate to both systems and users. And because they look legitimate, they are more likely to successfully trick people into making a mistake.
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How dangerous is this attack?
Google Calendar boasts over 500 million users worldwide, offering a massive pool of potential victims. Cybercriminals are ready and waiting to exploit this technique too. Security researchers report that they identified over 4,000 phishing emails targeting 300 different brands in just four weeks.
How can you protect yourself from Google Calendar attacks?
Like many cyberthreats, the best defense is common sense. This is what you need to do to protect yourself:
1. Enable the “Known Senders” setting
Google recommends activating this feature in Calendar settings to filter out invitations from unknown contacts. Fake invitations from scammers will be deleted automatically, reducing the risk of being tricked.
2. Be wary of unexpected invites
Treat unsolicited calendar invitations with the same caution you would apply to suspicious emails. If in doubt, send your contact a quick follow-up to confirm they really are inviting you to a meeting.
3. Verify links before clicking
Hover over links to check their destination before interacting with them. If the website address displayed looks suspicious, it probably is.
4. Keep software updated
Ensure you have effective antimalware installed on your devices and that it is regularly updated.
5. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
You can boost the security of your Google account by enabling Two Factor Authentication. If you do disclose your username and password to a hacker, they still won’t be able to steal your account without access to your smartphone.
Conclusion
This rise in Google Calendar malware is simply the latest variation on common phishing techniques. Attackers are increasingly targeting trusted platforms and services like Google, exploiting the very features designed to make our digital lives more convenient. To stay safe, we must remain vigilant, maintaining a healthy level of skepticism towards anything that may contain a threat – including calendar invites.
The advice is always the same: stay alert, stay informed, install antimalware and stay safe in the face of these new calendar-based threats.
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The post Digital Deception: How Hackers Are Weaponizing Your Google Calendar appeared first on Panda Security Mediacenter.
Article Link: Google Calendar attack: A new cyber threat - Panda Security
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