More

    Will Gmail Account Change raise Cyber Threat concerns for email users

    Over the past few days, sections of the media have been speculating about a possible new feature from Google that could allow email users to change the domain name of their Gmail accounts. At present, Gmail addresses typically end with “@gmail.com,” but under this rumored change, users might be able to customize the domain portion of their email address, subject to official approval from Google.

    It is important to note that there has been no official confirmation from Google regarding the Gmail Account Change. The speculation appears to have originated on Telegram, largely through screenshots posted in the Indian language Hindi, and has since gained attention online. Until Google releases a formal statement, these claims remain unverified and should be treated with caution.

    If such a feature were to be introduced, it could raise several cybersecurity and deliverability concerns. One major issue would be email spam filtering. Gmail and other email service providers, such as Yahoo Mail, rely on strict spam detection systems. Emails sent from unfamiliar or newly created domains are often flagged as spam, even if they are legitimate. As a result, users who change their Google mail domain to a custom or lesser-known one could find their emails frequently landing in recipients’ spam folders.

    This problem is already common for businesses and startups that use custom email domains. For example, a new software company using an email address ending with its own domain often struggles with email credibility in the early stages. Gaining trust from email servers requires time, proper authentication, and consistent sending behavior. For new or small organizations, passing Gmail’s spam filters can be especially difficult, regardless of the quality or legitimacy of their messages.

    Another concern is that less tech-savvy users might misuse or misunderstand the feature, potentially exposing themselves to phishing risks or impersonation attempts if domain verification is not handled carefully. This could increase the overall risk of cyber threats if strong safeguards are not put in place.

    On a more positive note, reports suggest that Google would allow users to keep their original Gmail address alongside the new customized one. This parallel setup would provide a safety net, allowing users to fall back on their trusted “@gmail.com” address if their new domain encounters technical or deliverability issues. Such an approach would reduce disruption and offer flexibility.

    In summary, while the ability to customize a Gmail domain could offer personalization and branding advantages, it also brings notable challenges related to security, spam filtering, and reliability. Until Google makes an official announcement, users should remain cautious and rely on verified information rather than online speculation.

    Join our LinkedIn group Information Security Community! 

    Latest articles

    Related articles