Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, has provided guidance for Nigerians on safeguarding their Google accounts against potential hackers.
Pantami shared these insights on Friday after revelations that hackers could gain unauthorized access to Google mails without requiring users’ passwords.
A security firm’s analysis uncovered a perilous form of malware exploiting third-party cookies to access individuals’ private data. Google responded, stating that it is actively working to clamp down on third-party cookies and has taken measures to secure compromised accounts.
In response to this development, Pantami urged Google account users in Nigeria to exercise caution when accepting “cookies” unnecessarily.
Emphasizing the importance of being cyber-savvy, he advised users to protect their accounts by signing out on any affected or suspicious devices.
Pantami highlighted the hackers’ use of the cookie acceptance process during browsing, cautioning users to be discerning in accepting cookies. He noted Google’s acknowledgment of the vulnerability and its efforts to address associated challenges.
Given that Google Chrome is the world’s most widely used web browser, with a market share exceeding 60% last year, Pantami underscored the need for heightened attention. Users were encouraged to continually remove malware from their devices, enable ‘enhanced safe browsing’ in Chrome, and remain vigilant against phishing and malware downloads.
Reminding users of the global prevalence of Gmail with over 1.8 billion users and its secure storage in the cloud, Pantami concluded by emphasizing the reality that no system is entirely secure, urging individuals to adopt a consistently cyber-smart approach.
