In a recent post on the Google Workspace blog, it confirmed that Google is extending the warning banners from Drive to file level. In other words, files in Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides will now show warning banners if Google's internal virus and malware scanner suspects these files of being malicious software, potentially harmful to users' computers.
Google Drive displays warning banners in Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides
Initially, these warning banners will appear on the web versions of Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Slides. They come with a message stating that the file is suspicious and could be used to steal your personal information: 'This file looks suspicious. It might be used to steal your personal information'.
=> If you want to use Google Drive on your mobile device, you can download it here:
- Download link for Google Drive for Android
- Download link for Google Drive for iPhone
The use of online collaboration tools has become widespread in recent years. However, cyber threats are also drawn to these tools and files stored in the cloud. Cybercriminals have been and are targeting users through Google's office software.
- Read more: How to free up Google Drive space
Security researchers at CheckPoint have uncovered that cybercriminals are exploiting the comment feature in Google Workspace apps to distribute malicious links to users. Even macOS users are not immune to similar attacks. Some other malware also has the capability to take control of users' Google Drive accounts.
Microsoft has also established a warning and protection system for its Microsoft 365 platform. In fact, the offline version of Microsoft Office has disabled basic editing features as well as macros for all MS Office files that users download from the Internet.
The suspicious file warning feature from Google is currently available for all Google Workspace customers as well as legacy G Suite Basic and Business customers. In the near future, the company may expand this feature to individual Google Workspace accounts.
