Hannah Grace Tech 03.07.2022 06:Mar AM EST

Google Workspace New Feature Protects Users From Phishing Attacks

Google Workspace has rolled out a new notification feature that protects its users from malware and phishing attacks.

Apart from the feature, the search engine giant also released a guide on how to prevent Workspace users from cyberattacks.

Google Rolls Out New Feature To Protect Workspace Users From Phishing Attack

To emphasize, Digital Trends reported that Google rolled out a new feature that aims to enhance how alerts are shown for Workspace apps like Google Docs. This move allows users to collaborate remotely without fear of phishing attacks when people are working, studying, and collaborating from home during this pandemic.

Furthermore, when users receive an @mention, Google now includes the collaborator's full email address in the notification, making it easier to safely identify the collaborator and trustworthy connections.

Previously, when a collaborator inserts an @mention note to Workspace apps, users will receive an email in their inbox notifying them that someone has made a significant change in their documents.

However, since the email alerts only contain the commenter's name and not their email address, cyberattackers are targeting workspace users posing as someone they know and trust.

With the ability to see the commenter's email address, Google's adjustment should make it easier to confirm your collaborator.

According to Google's blog post, the functionality is currently being sent out, and it could take up to 15 days for everyone to receive it. Moreover, all Google accounts, including personal Google accounts as well as legacy G Suite and Business accounts, will get the feature.

Google Workspace

Google Workspace is the upgraded version of the previously known G Suite app.

Explaining its name rebranding, How-To Geek noted that it was not even the first time the name has been changed since the app was once known as "Google Apps for Your Domain," before being renamed "Google Apps" and then "G Suite" in 2016.

Since G Suite was the original version of Google Workspace, it is important to know the benefits it provides to subscribers.

How-To Geek explained that G Suite enables businesses to use Google's suite of cloud-based productivity and collaboration tools in managing their network storage, email server, and other tools.

The apps included in G Suites are Gmail, Google Talk, Google Calendar, and Google Page Creator. As time goes by, the search engine giant added Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, Google Drive, Google Chat, and Meet.

Conveniently, consumers can use all of these tools for free, but some important functions might be missing. Moreover, customers of G Suite will be able to have unique domain email addresses, cloud storage, admin tools, and 24/7 customer service.

Similar to G Suite, Google Workspace also provides the mentioned services.

Google Workspace Phishing Attack Prevention

Apart from the new feature added, Google also released guidelines for Workspace administrators to protect them from phishing and malware.

In the said guidelines, the search engine giant stated: "As an administrator, you can protect incoming mail against phishing and harmful software (malware). You can also choose what action to take based on the type of threat detected."

For instance, the administrators can transfer suspicious data to their spam folder or leave it in their inbox with a cautionary note. Through the organizational units, administrators may customize all of the security settings for different individuals and teams.

By default, Gmail warns users about untrusted emails and pushes them to the spam folder. Users can identify more unwanted or hazardous emails.