14 DAY TRIAL // Gmail is a very popular technology but this doesn't necessarily mean that it is also the most secure or the safest mail service. However, Gmail offers very efficient spam filters that are able to block most of the unsolicited messages arriving in your inbox. But what's more important is that Gmail can be used for malicious attacks over the Internet since most of the users trust the Google mail solution and might open all the received messages. According to the Mountain View company, Gmail has been used in web attacks concerning Ebay and PayPal, two famous shopping websites.
"We have seen reports of Gmail accounts being used to conduct suspicious activity involving Craigslist, Ebay, Paypal, and other sites," the super giant Google said. "If you have observed or been the victim of illicit activity on a non-Google website, we recommend that you contact your local authorities and the specific website that was involved," it added in a security notification.
So, I recommend you to be extremely careful what messages you open and make sure you use the 'Report Spam' button included in Gmail. Do not open an email unless it comes from a trusted source and do not download the attachments included in unsolicited messages. However, if you're required to download them, scan them with an up to date antivirus in order to remain on the safe side.
"You may also wish to file a report with the Internet Crime Complaint Center, a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the National White Collar Crime Center. Unfortunately, Gmail is unable to participate in mediations involving third parties," Google added. "If you wish to inquire about a Gmail account's involvement in an identity theft case, please note that in accordance with state and federal law, it is Google's policy to only provide this information pursuant to a valid third party subpoena or other appropriate legal process."
Obviously, this is no a legal matter but all you can do is join the forces with other Gmail account owners and fight to stop the unsolicited messages. For example, you can report as spam all the emails arriving into your inbox and which were not trusted by you in order to protect other consumers from receiving them.
However, it was proved that even the Gmail filters can be vulnerable as my inbox was invaded by numerous unwanted message. At that time, it was quite a powerful spam campaign over the Gmail accounts but the parent company managed to stop it as it harmed a lot of Google registered members.