Google LLC today announced an expanded set of security features and awareness initiatives designed to protect users across its ecosystem and beyond from the rising threat of online scams.

The new releases come at a time when spotting phishing emails has become increasingly difficult, as once-telltale signs such as grammatical errors or strange attachments have been replaced by elaborate phishing attempts that use techniques such as voice cloning, deepfakes and social engineering for convincing impersonations.

The change, not surprisingly, has been driven by the growing accessibility of generative artificial intelligence tools. That has made scams harder to detect, prompting Google to strengthen protections within its core products.

The new capabilities start with Google Messages now including enhanced link protection that automatically warns users when they attempt to open links in suspected spam messages. Users must explicitly mark the message as “not spam” before they can proceed to potentially risky sites. The protection is now available globally to all Google Messages users.

Also new for Google Messenger today is Key Verifier, a tool that adds a new layer of trust to private conversations by protecting Google Messages users from impersonators and fraudsters. The tool, available for Android 10 users and up, allows users to scan a QR code with trusted contacts to confirm that their encrypted conversation is truly secure and free from impersonators or man-in-the-middle attacks.

For users who find themselves locked out of their accounts, Google is also today introducing new account recovery tools to help users regain access after lockouts or compromises.

The first new account recovery feature, Recovery Contacts, allows users to select trusted friends or family members who can help verify their identity if traditional recovery methods fail. If that doesn’t work, a new Sign in with Mobile Number feature allows users to restore access to accounts on a new Android device using their phone number and previous device passcode instead of a password.

To assist with education, today also sees the launch of the “Be Scam Ready Game,” a game that immerses users in real-life scam and fraud scenarios in a safe, interactive setting. The game raises awareness and helps users develop the critical thinking skills needed to identify and avoid fraud in the real world by exposing them to common scam tactics.

Lastly, Google has partnered with the National Cybersecurity Alliance, National Elder Fraud Coordination Center, the American Association of Retired Persons, Amazon.com Inc. and Walmart Inc. to distribute resources and host in-person workshops aimed at protecting youth and older adults.

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