Gmail targeted in phishing attacks

Google's email service Gmail has been the target of phishing attacks recently where hackers aim for identity theft and even financial fraud. Users in India have also been targeted in such attacks.

Gmail users recently received a notification on from the Gmail team for updation of their details for security reasons.

The mail read, "Gmail Team is working on total security on all accounts in order to make Gmail better as ever and as a result of this security upgrade we require all Gmail members to verify their account with Google. To prevent your account from disability you will have to update your account by clicking the reply button and filling the space below."

In the legal notice sent by the team, users were asked to change their account name, password, occupation, birth date and country of residence. It also carried a warning saying failure to change their details would result in users losing their account permanently.

According to a spokesperson from Google some spammers were sending fraudulent messages using its name and asking for personal information or directing users to some links. The spokesperson said Google does not send mass messages seeking personal information.

According to analysts phishing activity in India has been rising targeting users of services such as Gmail and Yahoo and even social networking sites such as Facebook and Orkut.