google-partner-logoScottish inbound marketing agency, Who Dares Marketing, has been awarded coveted partner status by search engine giant, Google.

The accreditation was granted just over a year since the business was established and follows an audit of the agency’s current search advertising campaigns against criteria set by Google.

Cameron McHattie, founder, said: “Receiving Google Partner status is the culmination of 12 months of hard work and ensuring that every campaign we run for our clients delivers the maximum value possible. Google set a pretty high bar when evaluating whether a company should be granted this status, so to meet the required standard reflects our commitment to providing high value campaigns to our clients.”

Google partner status is awarded based on various criteria set by the internet behemoth including; spend, campaign performance and certifications, which require at least one person connected to the business to hold up-to-date exams for various digital marketing disciplines.

At present, Who Dares Marketing holds partner status for Google’s core search, pay-per-click (PPC), product, although the agency has plans to gain further accreditations.

Cameron added: “Search advertising is a large part of our offering in which we add value to our client’s businesses as part of a rounded marketing strategy. This also includes, content, social media and web development. The business has ambitious growth plans over the next 12 months and this accreditation should give current and future clients further confidence in our services.”

Earlier this week it was reported that a Google malware attack was hitting inboxes. This very sophisticated phishing scam involves emails which suggest some one has shared a Google Document with you. You are then invited to edit the document.

The genuine looking phising email is sent to your inbox. It will have a subject title which suggests a Google document has been shared with you. If you click on the link “Open in Docs” it will take you to a Google sign in screen which looks very genuine. However by clicking on the “continue in Google Docs” link you are unwittingly giving permission to the cyber criminals to potentially access your emails and contacts, via a third party app.

The phishing email looks fairly genuine and often from a convincing sender address. However, the scam give away is often in the ‘to’ address, which may look something like ‘hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh’.
Google encourages users not to click on any links or open emails which are suspicious. If you receive an email such as the above we recommend you delete it immediately.

If you think you have been a victim of such a phishing email and you have clicked on the link granting permission, don’t panic. Go to your Google settings and remove permission for the app to be connected to your account.

If you are worried you have fallen victim to a malware attack or similar phishing scam contact SortmyPC on enquiries@sortmypc.co.uk or 0131 477 2644. We can also offer advice and assistance on device & data security to help protect your business.

Further info:

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/may/03/google-docs-phishing-attack-malware

http://gizmodo.com/a-huge-and-dangerously-convincing-google-docs-phishin-1794888973