Google Docs expands warnings about dodgy files and links

Image: Google

When you open potentially malicious files from the web, you will now see a warning banner on the screen of the collaboration tools. This banner already appears when files are accessed from within Drive, as well as from suspicious links within separate files. Users should be protected in a wider range of situations.

The January 20th announcement said that the banner already appeared when opening the links in the documents. The company tells us that this was a mistake, and that it should say that the banner appears on the files.

The warning banners appear to be an attempt to fight off scam artists who use office productivity software to create fake links andphishing attempts. A wave of scam artists used the various sharing and collaboration features of the internet giant to get their malicious files in front of users. Clicking a link in one of these documents will lead a user to a site filled with ads or a site asking for bank account details.

The new warning banner will be rolled out over the next couple of weeks to all accounts, business and personal.