An email phishing scam luring people to click on a malicious link has resurfaced.

Businesses, schools, individuals and others have been hit with a phishing email that asks users to click on a Google Doc. Do Not Click the Link!

Once someone clicks on the link, which in some cases appears in a blue box with the words “Open in Docs,” it will attempt to hijack the user’s account and can send the link to the user’s email contacts, too, perpetuating the problem.

One of the giveaways is the subject line is garbled and the email may come from an unexpected source or contact.

Google Docs said in a tweet Wednesday afternoon that it’s investigating the phishing messages, and it encouraged users to not click it and report it to Gmail. In a statement, Google said it’s taken action to protect users against the attacks and disabled offending accounts.

“We’ve removed the fake pages, pushed updates through Safe Browsing,” Google tweeted. Google said it has a team working to prevent similar account “spoofing” from happening again.

Google said users who clicked the email can check their accounts for a breach though myaccount.google.com.

The countermeasures Google described are likely to stop the spread of the attack, but as one security expert noted, the attacker has already had time to harvest million of email addresses via victims’ Gmail contact lists.

But there is a very good way to protect yourself. If you haven’t already, make sure you have two-factor authentication set up on your Google accounts. Doing that will help ensure that, even if hackers do trick you out of your password, they will likely be unable to use it.

If you are an Applied Tech customer and you or a member of your team believe they have clicked the Google docs link, please reach out to Applied Tech right away.

Toll-Free: 855.729.1300
Toll-Free Help Desk: 855.729.1301
help@appliedtech.us

The Resource Hub

Get Complete Managed Services Insights

Visit our Resource Center for up-to-date news and stories for technology and business leaders.

Employee Spotlight: Nick Tesi

Employee Spotlight: Nick Tesi

This month we are shining a spotlight on one of the outstanding members of the Applied Tech team, Nick Tesi. Nick brings a wealth of experience and a diverse skill set to his role, making him an invaluable asset to our organization. Nick’s journey to his current position as vCIO and Account Manager at Applied Tech is nothing short of remarkable. His career path has included various roles such as...

Password Managers: Simple, Necessary Protection For You and Your Business

Password Managers: Simple, Necessary Protection For You and Your Business

The standard internet user will access several websites and applications on any given day. Each one of these different accounts will highlight the importance of not repeating passwords, and many even require a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. The trouble with this, however, is that if we were to have a unique password for each online account that meets the complexity requirements,...

Employee Spotlight: Tyler Chatterton

Employee Spotlight: Tyler Chatterton

This month, we are proud to shine the spotlight on Tyler Chatterton, a valued member of the Applied Tech team serving as a Marketing Specialist. Tyler’s journey into Applied Tech was paved by his roles as a Digital Marketing Specialist and later as a Digital Marketing Team Lead at the Wisconsin Innovation Service Center. These experiences not only honed his skills but also seamlessly prepared...

Applied Tech Achieves Remarkable MSP Rankings in Wisconsin and Colorado

Applied Tech Achieves Remarkable MSP Rankings in Wisconsin and Colorado

Denver, CO – August 2023 – Applied Tech emerges as a true standout, securing the #2 MSP ranking in Wisconsin and #3 ranking in Colorado in the 2023 Channel Futures MSP 501 list. This remarkable recognition underscores Applied Tech’s unwavering commitment to delivering cutting-edge managed and co-managed IT services and cybersecurity solutions. The Channel Futures MSP 501 list stands as a beacon...

Three IT Service Techs Working

Move Forward with IT Services for Business

Use managed services for small and mid-sized businesses that help you reach your goals.

Work With Us