Hackers have breached a major Google database, putting the accounts of 2.5 billion Gmail users at risk of being hijacked by scammers. While Google doesn’t believe any passwords were taken during incident, it’s not a bad idea to change your password to be safe. If you do get a text message or voice message from Google, don’t trust that it’s valid. Cybersecurity expert James Knight warns that 9 times out of 10 those messages are not from Google. Gmail users on social media have said that scammers have been making fake calls from the 650 area code numbers to trick people into resetting their Gmail passwords. Google will never call you to reset your password. To protect yourself, set up multi-factor authentication, which adds another layer of protection. It’s also recommended using passkeys to log into your devices, which is a new type of security method that takes verifying your identity to the next level. Finally, do a Google security checkup, which will identify the weakest points in your account. As always, experts remind users never to click on links or provide any personal information online or over the phone.
