Google adds another security feature to Gmail
01 Jun 2017
Google has added another security feature and announced it has now integrated machine learning for early detection of phishing attacks through Gmail.
Additionally, Google also claims to have added click-time warnings for malicious links, unintended external reply warnings, and built-in defences against new threats.
The latest additions seem to be focused on businesses and, as per the search giant, the new security features will help it stay ahead of potential threats. Regarding machine learning, Google said, "Machine learning helps Gmail block sneaky spam and phishing messages from showing up in your inbox with over 99.9 per cent accuracy." According to Google, this was a crucial factor as, according to its own estimates, 50-70 per cent of messages that Gmail received were spam.
Google added that a dedicated machine learning model, meant for early phishing detection, selectively delayed messages to perform rigorous phishing analysis and further protect user data from compromise. According to commentators, there was no need to get concerned about the delay as it happened for less than 0.05 per cent of all messages on average.
"These new models combine a variety of techniques such as reputation and similarity analysis on URLs, allowing us to generate new URL click-time warnings for phishing and malware links. As we find new patterns, our models adapt more quickly than manual systems ever could, and get better with time," Google said in its blog post.
Meanwhile, Google said in its blog: ''This week, we're introducing a new security feature in Gmail on Android to help you keep your email safer. When you click on a suspicious link in a message, Gmail will show a warning prompt helping you keep your account safe. While not all affected email will necessarily be dangerous, we encourage you to be extra careful about clicking on links in messages that you're not sure about. And with this update, you'll have another tool to make these kinds of decisions.''
