Your email could be hacked! Find out how to protect yourself from this new FBI warning!
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In an era where our digital lives are as rich as our physical ones, the security of our online accounts is of high importance.
For the nearly two billion users of this email worldwide, a recent FBI warning has sounded the alarm: a sophisticated ransomware attack is targeting your accounts, and the stakes are high.
How do you stay alert and protect yourself?
The FBI has issued a warning to the more than 1.8 billion Gmail users about a growing ransomware scheme that threatens to lock up private data and demand payment for its release.
Medusa isn't your run-of-the-mill malware, it cunningly slithers into systems through fake emails or exploiting vulnerabilities in your systems through malicious content such as fake websites.
Once inside, it doesn't just lock you out of your files—it steals them, holding your private data for ransom.
Victims, including those in critical infrastructure sectors like hospitals and schools, have been coerced into paying exorbitant sums to regain access and prevent the public release of sensitive information, reported the FBI and US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.
The Medusa ransomware group has already targeted over 300 victims, using phishing scams to exploit vulnerabilities in unprotected software on users' digital devices.
The ransom demands are no small change, they range from $100,000 to a staggering $15 million.
And with over 40 known victims in just the first two months of 2025, the threat is both real and growing.
But experts suspect the actual number of attacks may be higher, as some victims may choose to pay the ransom quietly, avoiding the embarrassment and fallout of going public.
To protect against this ransomware threat, the FBI and CISA are strongly urging email users, including those on Gmail, to enable two-factor authentication (2FA). This extra security measure requires a verification code—typically sent via text—before granting access to an email account.
Additionally, they recommend that both individuals and businesses immediately review their operating systems, software, and firmware to ensure they are fully patched and up to date with the latest security updates.
The FBI also says to keep multiple copies of sensitive information on separate servers or external hard drives. For personal items stored in Gmail, consider creating physical copies that you can store securely.
Also read: FBI uncovers genius email scams—protect your inbox now
For businesses, it's crucial to filter network traffic to prevent untrusted sources from accessing remote services. This means setting up networks to allow connections only from verified individuals or systems.
Review who has administrative access within your organization and restrict their permissions to only what's necessary. This minimizes the potential damage if Medusa—or any other malware—compromises those accounts.
For the safety of hospitals and schools, the FBI recommends that organization's network be divided into smaller, isolated sections. This way, if an attack occurs, it's contained and can't easily spread to other areas.
These ransomware attacks aren’t just isolated incidents carried out by random hackers.
Source: Ransomware Radar / Youtube.
According to the FBI, Medusa operates as a ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) group, meaning they develop the malicious software that locks victims’ computers and then sell it to cybercriminals who execute the attacks.
Once hackers successfully infiltrate a victim’s device or an organization’s network and receive a ransom payment, they share a portion of the proceeds with the Medusa group, making it a highly profitable operation.
In February, Wisconsin-based Bell Ambulance fell victim to a Medusa ransomware attack, resulting in the theft of over 200 gigabytes of data. The group reportedly demanded a $400,000 ransom for its return.
For the nearly two billion Gmail users now concerned about their accounts, cybersecurity experts continue to emphasize the importance of keeping an active spam filter enabled at all times to block phishing emails before they reach your inbox.
If you receive a suspicious email prompting you to click a link or provide personal information, delete it immediately.
These malicious links are designed to redirect you to fraudulent websites, where hackers can gain control of your device and launch their attack.
Read next: Urgent: Protect your Gmail account now or risk losing it in 7 days!
Have you implemented any of these security measures? Do you have additional tips for staying safe online? Share your experiences and advice in the comments below!
For the nearly two billion users of this email worldwide, a recent FBI warning has sounded the alarm: a sophisticated ransomware attack is targeting your accounts, and the stakes are high.
How do you stay alert and protect yourself?
The FBI has issued a warning to the more than 1.8 billion Gmail users about a growing ransomware scheme that threatens to lock up private data and demand payment for its release.
Medusa isn't your run-of-the-mill malware, it cunningly slithers into systems through fake emails or exploiting vulnerabilities in your systems through malicious content such as fake websites.
Once inside, it doesn't just lock you out of your files—it steals them, holding your private data for ransom.
Victims, including those in critical infrastructure sectors like hospitals and schools, have been coerced into paying exorbitant sums to regain access and prevent the public release of sensitive information, reported the FBI and US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.
The FBI and CISA have warned Gmail users about a ransomware attack, known as Medusa, that hijacks accounts and demands ransom payments. Image source: Solen Feyissa / Unsplash.
The Medusa ransomware group has already targeted over 300 victims, using phishing scams to exploit vulnerabilities in unprotected software on users' digital devices.
The ransom demands are no small change, they range from $100,000 to a staggering $15 million.
And with over 40 known victims in just the first two months of 2025, the threat is both real and growing.
But experts suspect the actual number of attacks may be higher, as some victims may choose to pay the ransom quietly, avoiding the embarrassment and fallout of going public.
To protect against this ransomware threat, the FBI and CISA are strongly urging email users, including those on Gmail, to enable two-factor authentication (2FA). This extra security measure requires a verification code—typically sent via text—before granting access to an email account.
Additionally, they recommend that both individuals and businesses immediately review their operating systems, software, and firmware to ensure they are fully patched and up to date with the latest security updates.
The FBI also says to keep multiple copies of sensitive information on separate servers or external hard drives. For personal items stored in Gmail, consider creating physical copies that you can store securely.
Also read: FBI uncovers genius email scams—protect your inbox now
For businesses, it's crucial to filter network traffic to prevent untrusted sources from accessing remote services. This means setting up networks to allow connections only from verified individuals or systems.
Review who has administrative access within your organization and restrict their permissions to only what's necessary. This minimizes the potential damage if Medusa—or any other malware—compromises those accounts.
For the safety of hospitals and schools, the FBI recommends that organization's network be divided into smaller, isolated sections. This way, if an attack occurs, it's contained and can't easily spread to other areas.
These ransomware attacks aren’t just isolated incidents carried out by random hackers.
Source: Ransomware Radar / Youtube.
According to the FBI, Medusa operates as a ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) group, meaning they develop the malicious software that locks victims’ computers and then sell it to cybercriminals who execute the attacks.
Once hackers successfully infiltrate a victim’s device or an organization’s network and receive a ransom payment, they share a portion of the proceeds with the Medusa group, making it a highly profitable operation.
In February, Wisconsin-based Bell Ambulance fell victim to a Medusa ransomware attack, resulting in the theft of over 200 gigabytes of data. The group reportedly demanded a $400,000 ransom for its return.
For the nearly two billion Gmail users now concerned about their accounts, cybersecurity experts continue to emphasize the importance of keeping an active spam filter enabled at all times to block phishing emails before they reach your inbox.
If you receive a suspicious email prompting you to click a link or provide personal information, delete it immediately.
These malicious links are designed to redirect you to fraudulent websites, where hackers can gain control of your device and launch their attack.
Read next: Urgent: Protect your Gmail account now or risk losing it in 7 days!
Have you implemented any of these security measures? Do you have additional tips for staying safe online? Share your experiences and advice in the comments below!
