A sophisticated phishing attack campaign is targeting Gmail users by stealing login credentials and immediately using them to hijack accounts. Once compromised, attackers rapidly spread further phishing emails, making this threat highly effective and difficult to contain.
The attack typically begins when a user receives an email in their Gmail inbox that appears to come from a trusted contact. In reality, that contact’s account has already been compromised. As with many phishing scams, the email includes an attachment—often an image that looks familiar and relevant to the recipient.
At first glance, clicking the image should simply open a preview. Instead, it triggers a new browser tab that prompts the user to sign in to Gmail again. According to Mark Maunder, CEO of Wordfence, this deceptive technique is designed to appear legitimate, even displaying accounts.google.com in the address bar.
The fake login page is extremely convincing, which is why it poses such a serious risk. Users who enter their credentials unknowingly hand over their Gmail username and password to attackers.
Once credentials are captured, attackers act immediately. They log into the victim’s account and use real emails, genuine attachments, and familiar subject lines to send phishing messages to contacts, making the scam even more believable.
How Attackers Exploit Compromised Gmail Accounts
As one commenter on Hacker News explains, attackers often reuse legitimate content from the victim’s mailbox:
“The attackers log in to your account immediately once they get the credentials, and they use one of your actual attachments, along with one of your actual subject lines, and send it to people in your contact list.”
In one example, attackers accessed a student’s account, extracted an athletic team practice schedule, created a screenshot, and paired it with a related subject line. This email was then sent to other team members, significantly increasing the likelihood of further compromise.
How to Protect Yourself from Gmail Phishing Attacks
To defend against this type of phishing campaign, users should carefully inspect the browser address bar before entering their login details. A legitimate Google sign-in page will show only https://accounts.google.com, with no additional text before the domain name.
In contrast, phishing pages often reveal themselves through unusual prefixes such as data:text/html, indicating that the login page is actually a locally loaded file rather than a genuine Google service.
Users are also strongly advised to enable two-step verification (2SV) on their Gmail accounts. This added layer of security can prevent attackers from gaining access even if a password is compromised.
For organisations, employee education is critical. Regular security awareness training and simulated phishing campaigns help staff recognise suspicious emails and reduce the risk of human error. These exercises are one of the most effective ways to strengthen organisational cyber resilience.
Learn More About MetaCompliance Solutions
Building awareness around real-world phishing threats, such as Gmail credential harvesting attacks, is essential for reducing human risk across your organisation. MetaCompliance offers a comprehensive suite of solutions designed to protect users, prevent account compromise, and enhance overall cyber resilience.
Our Human Risk Management Platform encompasses:
- Automated Security Awareness
- Advanced Phishing Simulations
- Risk Intelligence & Analytics
- Compliance Management
To see how these solutions can help safeguard your organisation against evolving phishing attacks and credential theft, book a free demo today.
FAQs about Gmail Phishing Attacks
What is a Gmail phishing attack?
A Gmail phishing attack tricks users into entering their login credentials on a fake Google sign-in page, allowing attackers to take over their accounts.
How can I tell if a Gmail login page is fake?
Check the address bar carefully. Legitimate pages show only https://accounts.google.com, without extra text such as data:text/html.
Why are these phishing emails so convincing?
Attackers often reuse real attachments and subject lines from compromised accounts, making emails appear authentic.
Can organisations prevent phishing attacks?
While phishing cannot be eliminated entirely, security awareness training and simulated phishing campaigns greatly reduce risk.