A new security alert has been issued for Google's 1.8 billion Gmail users.

 Google implemented a new security feature, the Gmail checkmark system, earlier this year, which was shown to have a significant weakness.

A blue checkmark indicates that a company or organisation has been verified, making it easier for users to discern real communications from scammers. Cybercriminals have taken advantage of this method, raising questions about Gmail's security.

How can hackers use Gmail's checkmark verification, and what does this entail for users?

According to Forbes, a cybersecurity engineer named Chris Plummer revealed that scammers may fool Gmail into thinking phoney companies are legitimate. Scammers can take advantage of system weaknesses to gain the trust of Gmail users and deceive them into believing their emails came from reliable senders.

"The sender has discovered a way to forge Gmail's authoritative seal of approval, which end users rely on." This communication was sent to O365 from a Facebook account and received by me via netblock in the United Kingdom. "None of this is legal," explains Plummer.

Google first dismissed Plummer's discovery, believing it should have occurred. However, after Plummer's tweet about the problem went viral, Google admitted there was a glitch.

Plummer's findings first persuaded Google that it was purposeful. However, Google apparently confirmed the bug when Plummer's tweet about it gained attention.

According to reports, the corporation recognised its mistake to Plummer and told the team that it was looking into it. They recognised the gravity of the situation and made it their top priority, dubbed the "P1" patch.

Google apologises for the misunderstanding. 

"After further investigation, we determined that this is not a common SPF vulnerability, so we reopened it and the team in charge is investigating what is going on," Google stated in a statement.

"We apologise once more for any confusion and recognise that our initial response may have been frustrating." Thank you for encouraging us to learn more. Our Opinion "The matter is still ongoing," the statement said.

It's vital to remember, as Google's current warning emphasises, that even strong security features can be vulnerable. Vigilance is vital for Gmail's security and integrity, and users should exercise caution while dealing with email conversations.