Watch Out for Advanced Google Forms Scam Deception
Punched-up Phishing: How Scammers Use Google Forms to Hack Your Personal Data
Scoundrels on the internet are getting slyer, using trusted domains like Google and PayPal to con unsuspecting netizens into parting ways with their private and financial info. In recent times, these crooks have seized opportunities within Google and PayPal's settings to kick off their deceptive schemes.
A more insidious method crooks employ to seem legitimate and evade detection is through Google Forms begging for your precious data.
Phishing via Google Forms: The Nitty-Gritty
Google Forms-based phishing isn't novel; as recent intel from ESET Security reveals, Google Forms are a breezy, low-risk, high-reward tool for hackers. They're free, easy to whip up, and trusted by the online masses. Add HTTPS encryption and dynamic URLs, and these forms are harder for security systems to recognize as malicious.
Google Forms scams can have varying objectives, ranging from hijacking login credentials to plundering bank accounts, or redirecting targets to swindling websites teeming with malware.
One sophisticated version of this con targeted higher education, ensnaring students, faculty, and staff from 15 U.S. institutions. A Google blog post from February 2025 delves into a scheme where scammers dished out links to Google Forms that mimicked genuine university communiqués. These forms were embellished with school names, color schemes, and logos or mascots, all to dupe recipients into surrendering university account credentials and, in some cases, financial institution logins under the guise of managing existing accounts or distributing financial aid.
Cyber criminals tossed out these forms during significant dates in the academic calendar, like financial aid deadlines, when folks were engrossed with tons of administrative chores, making them less likely to notice red flags.
Google eradicated all those bogus forms eventually. However, Stanford University's Information Security Office issued an alert on April 23, 2025, warning of a similar phishing campaign designed to pilfer passwords and Duo passcodes for university network accounts.
This attack started with Stanford-branded Google Forms snuggling up on bona fide google.com domains with legitimate SSL certificates. The forms appeared legit, originating from real Google addresses, and even included familiar names, like "[Name] shared a document." These seemingly authentic forms managed to avoid email malware detection as well.
Avoiding Phishing Attacks: Save Yourself
When dabbling with Google Forms, never trust 'em blindly. Don't open forms you didn't ask for or request sensitive information, like passwords or bank account numbers. Google always prompts a warning about this - heed it for your own good. Legitimate entities won't ask for such data on Google Forms, and if unsure, reach out to the organization directly to confirm.
Not all phishing campaigns using Google Forms will be as expertly crafted as these scholarly scams. Be vigilant for misspellings, grammatical errors, and odd salutations. One example identified by ESET starts with "Hello, Dear!"
If you believe you've submitted sensitive information via Google Forms, adjust your passwords, freeze your credit cards, and keep close tabs on your accounts and credit report to spot any devious activity. Keep a lookout for any signs of malware on your device too, regardless if you're on a Mac or PC, and squash it immediately.
- The insidious use of Google Forms for phishing scams is a dynamic and high-reward method employed by cyber criminals, leveraging the trust placed in Google by the online community.
- These Google Forms scams can have varying objectives, from hijacking login credentials to plundering bank accounts or redirecting targets to websites teeming with malware.
- In a sophisticated version of this con, Google Forms mimicking genuine university communiqués were used to pilfer account credentials and financial institution logins, often disguised as managing existing accounts or distributing financial aid.
- To avoid falling victim to phishing attacks using Google Forms, always question their authenticity, never provide sensitive information unsolicited, and verify the sender's identity directly with the organization.
