Google Messages has a reinforced security system with the arrival of five new functions to fight against scams, spam and dangerous links. Enough, in principle, to limit message scams.
We keep repeating it, but you should never click on links from unknown sources, otherwise you expose yourself to serious dangers. It could be a phishing attempt, a scam or even a virus or malware that installs discreetly to steal your data or mine cryptocurrency without your knowledge. Also, you should carefully check the reliability of any Internet link about which you have the slightest doubt before clicking on it.
Installed as standard on most Android smartphones, Google Messages, which has attracted more than a billion monthly active users, already blocks the opening of suspicious links by opening a pop-up warning window, in order to avoid downloading shady files or entering your personal information in false pages (see our article). The Mountain View firm has already blocked no less than two billion suspicious messages. And she doesn’t plan to stop there! In a blog postthe company announces the arrival of five new protection measures.
Google Messages security: detect suspicious messages and links
First, Google will use machine learning models to better detect recurring scam messages, such as package delivery problems or fake job offers. The algorithm will analyze the content of the texts and when a potentially fraudulent message is detected, the application will automatically move it to the spam folder. Note that the content of messages will remain stored locally, on the device, unless reported. This new protection is currently only deployed in the beta version of Google Messages, and only to users who have activated spam protection.
As we have seen, Google Messages already blocks the opening of suspicious links by opening a warning pop-up window. However, the system is a little too easily circumvented since you just have to press the “Continue” button to open the link. In India, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore, the application goes further and outright blocks messages containing links from suspicious senders, while offering a reinforced warning. The Mountain View firm will expand this function globally later this year.
Another new feature: it will be possible to choose to automatically hide SMS messages from foreign numbers that do not appear in the address book. When the option is enabled, messages from these international senders will automatically be moved to the folder dedicated to spam and blocked messages. This feature will be previewed in Singapore, before being rolled out to other countries later.
Google Messages security: better control sensitive exchanges
It sometimes happens that scammers pretend to be an acquaintance, stealing their identity. In the coming months, it will be possible to verify a person’s public keys using a unified verification system across different applications to confirm that they are who they say they are. All you have to do is compare the numbers or scan a QR Code to verify that it is the right person. This verification system will be available on devices running Android 9 minimum.
Finally, in the coming months, everyone will get more control over uploaded images containing nudity. Indeed, the application will display a warning when sensitive or unwanted content is about to be received. An optional function which will automatically blur the content in question, before asking whether or not you wish to display it. The same if you decide to send it: Google will display a message warning of the risks associated with this type of content. Again, the process of detecting sensitive content will be done locally on the device, and the message content will remain end-to-end encrypted. Note that this function will be activated by default for minors.
We will therefore have to be patient before being able to take advantage of all these new features, but this should allow us to exchange with more peace of mind!