If you receive this terrifying Google alert, you are not alone

You are one of the chosen ones.
 By 
Jenni Ryall
 on 
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

People are tweeting out a concerning Google email alert they received, which notes state-sponsored hackers are trying to break into their account.

The alert reads: "Government-backed attackers may be trying to steal your password." Following the highly publicized suspicions that Russian hackers are lurking in our midst, the alerts become a little more alarming.

These warnings are not new, though. Google has been advising users of government-backed attacks since 2012. In March, the company launched a full page warning, as shown in the tweets below. It does not indicate which country is behind the attempted hack.


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If you are being targeted by one of these sophisticated hackers, consider yourself special. Google notes these warnings only get sent to a mere 0.1% of users who are normally activists, journalists and policy-makers.

A Google spokesperson told Mashable you should be alert but not alarmed.

"We send these warnings out of an abundance of caution -- they do not indicate that a user's account has already been compromised or that a more widespread attack is occurring when they receive the notice," the spokesperson said. "Anyone that receives one should follow the instructions in the warning, and we further recommend that all users routinely do a Google Account Security Checkup."

So stay strong, know you are not alone and then change all your passwords. Quickly.

Still terrified? Here's some extra reading on how to deal with serious hackers.

UPDATE: Wednesday, Nov. 23, 7:08 p.m.: Google provided a statement for concerned users.

Topics Cybersecurity

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Jenni Ryall

Jenni Ryall is Mashable's VP of Content Strategy. She spends her time launching cool, new things such as Mashable Deals and Mashable Reels. On the other days, she is developing strong partnerships with companies including Apple News, Flipboard, Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter and Reddit.

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