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Google accounts get new verification feature to prevent phishing attacks

Published Apr 26th, 2018 7:32PM EDT
Google Account Verification
Image: Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP/REX/Shutterstock

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In an update on its G Suite blog, Google announced the other day a new security feature for Google account holders who also happen to rely on Chrome for their web browsing activities.

Google wants to improve the security of your Google account by verifying that you’re indeed looking to sign into a Google account that you control. The move is meant to prevent anyone from silently signing into a Google account that may be owned by a malicious third party.

However, not all Google users will see this new screen, as Google is targeting third-party logins specifically. The new security feature will be available starting on May 7th, according to Google. But that’s only as long as you use Chrome, and as long as you access Google G Suite services through your organization.

Image source: Google

After signing in on a SAML provider’s website, you’ll see a new screen from accounts.google.com that will ask you whether you recognize the Google account you’re about to sign in. If the Google account is yours, then you can proceed with the sign-in. If it isn’t, then you’re probably want to investigate the matter, as it means someone might be trying to fool you into signing into a different Google account that should have no access to those services.

The move is meant to halt phishing attacks that might target your organization attempting to fool users into quietly signing into a malicious account.

The screen will only be shown once per account per device, to minimize disruption to the user. In the future, Google says that users should see it less and less, as the system gets context-aware features. Admins can also disable the screen for their organization for specific domains that are supposed to be trusted to access Google services.

Chris Smith Senior Writer

Chris Smith has been covering consumer electronics ever since the iPhone revolutionized the industry in 2008. When he’s not writing about the most recent tech news for BGR, he brings his entertainment expertise to Marvel’s Cinematic Universe and other blockbuster franchises.

Outside of work, you’ll catch him streaming almost every new movie and TV show release as soon as it's available.