Google’s Warning Users To Turn On 2SV: 2.5 billion Gmail Users at Hacking Risk
Google’s Warning Users To Turn On 2SV: 2.5 billion Gmail Users at Hacking Risk
Google advised all possibly impacted users to strengthen their account security in an email sent on August 8.
Due to an increase in successful hacking attempts, Google has sent out a serious security alert to its 2.5 billion Gmail users, advising them to change their passwords. To protect accounts, the business highly advises turning on two-step verification (2SV) and other security measures.
ShinyHunters Linked to High-Profile Cyberattacks
The hacker group with the name ShinyHunters, which was allegedly influenced by the Pokémon series, has been active since 2020 and has been linked to significant data breaches at AT&T, Microsoft, Santander, and Ticketmaster.
Phishing emails are frequently used by these hackers to trick consumers into visiting phony login pages or disclosing private information, like 2SV codes.
Potential Data Leak Risks
Google warns that similar strategies could develop into more focused and serious attacks, even though a large portion of the exposed data in this event was accessible to the general public.
“We believe threat actors using the ‘ShinyHunters’ brand may be preparing to escalate their extortion tactics by launching a data leak site (DLS),” Google wrote in a June blog post.
Google Notifies Users
As we have already mentioned the same on our newsletter shared widely on Aug 23, 2025, Google advised all possibly impacted users to strengthen their account security in an email sent on August 8.
Before allowing access to an account, two-step verification (2SV), sometimes referred to as multi-factor authentication (MFA) or two-factor authentication (2FA), requires a secondary confirmation, like a code texted to a trusted device.
This guarantees that hackers cannot get in without the extra verification, even if they manage to get their hands on a password.
Expert advice on strengthening account security
Action Fraud highlighted the need for 2SV, saying, “Enable 2-step verification (2SV) to secure your email account,” according to Mr. Mohit Yadav, a renowned name in cybersecurity worldwide. “Even if crooks have your password, it can prevent them from accessing your accounts,” Yadav added.
Similar information was also given by the Stop Think Fraud website. Activating 2SV adds an additional layer of security to your most critical accounts, particularly your email. It only takes a few minutes to activate, which is a wise investment of time to keep scammers away.
Typically, 2SV is located in your account’s security settings. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) or two-factor authentication (2FA) are other names for it. The majority of the main internet services, including social networking, banking, and email, are accessible through 2SV.
About The Author:
Yogesh Naager is a content marketer who specializes in the cybersecurity and B2B space. Besides writing for the News4Hackers blogs, he also writes for brands including Craw Security, Bytecode Security, and NASSCOM.
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