Gmail Alert: Experts Clarify Rumors About Mass Password Changes

Rumors of a Gmail Breach

In recent weeks, news circulated claiming that billions of Gmail users needed to change their passwords immediately following a supposed hacking attack. The information, however, has been debunked by digital security experts.

What Really Happened

The cybercriminal group known as ShinyHunters did manage to access data from Salesforce, a platform used by Google to manage information for small and medium-sized businesses. According to recent analyses, this breach did not affect services like Gmail or Google Drive, nor did it compromise passwords or financial data.

Phishing Scams and How to Protect Yourself

Despite this, phishing scams have taken advantage of the news. Users have reported contact attempts via phone and fake links, encouraging an immediate password change to capture personal data. Experts stress that alerts received outside of Google’s official channels should be treated with caution.

Google states that Gmail’s protections are robust, blocking more than 99% of phishing and malware attempts. It’s recommended that users maintain strong, unique passwords and keep two-step verification active to ensure greater account security.

Amid the circulation of misinformation, the advice is clear: there is no need to panic, but caution and good digital security practices remain essential.

Official Google link debunking the rumors:

https://blog.google/products/workspace/gmail-security-protections