Maggio, 2022

The path to parenthood looks different for everyone, but one element of becoming a parent is universal: the need for quality healthcare and community support. Sadly, this basic need is out of reach for far too many people. Every day, more than 800 people around the world die from pregnancy- and childbirth-related causes that could have been prevented, according to the World Health Organization.

Google Registry launched the .day top-level domain earlier this year, and today we’re introducing mothers.day — a resource dedicated to highlighting inequities in maternal health and helping families at different stages of parenthood. The website also lists ways you and your loved ones can help bridge these gaps by volunteering or donating to organizations making an impact in this space.

This year, I’ve asked my family to make giving to others the focus of our Mother’s Day celebration. To help pass on the value of generosity, the mothers.day website points to several nonprofits for Mother’s Day giving, including:

• Postpartum Support International is the world’s leading nonprofit organization dedicated to helping women suffering from perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, including postpartum depression.
• Black Mamas Matter Alliance is a Black women-led group that advocates, drives research, builds power, and shifts culture for Black maternal health, rights and justice.
• Fistula Foundation provides life-transforming surgery to women injured in childbirth who are left incontinent and often shunned.
• The Cradle is a nonprofit, licensed child welfare agency providing adoption services, counseling and education and a nursery for birth parents and adoptive families.
• Hello Neighbor’s Smart Start program provides refugee and immigrant mothers with socio-emotional, logistical, and material need support throughout pregnancy and postpartum.

These are just a few organizations committed to making the journey to parenthood equitable for everyone. In addition to giving, mothers.day includes information on how you can make an impact on maternal healthcare by participating in research studies:

• Powermom is a mobile research platform with the goal of addressing health disparities and partnering with all participants during pregnancy and the postpartum period.
• PM³ study is a study for Black women, by Black women and helps new moms in the state of Georgia stay healthy after pregnancy.
• Maternal Near Miss aims to gather insights from women of color who’ve had near-death experiences during pregnancy and/or childbirth in order to inform maternal health policies and clinical practices.

There are so many ways to support birthing people and their families around the world. For more ways to get involved, visit mothers.day.

Google’s Threat Analysis Group (TAG) has been closely monitoring the cybersecurity activity in Eastern Europe with regard to the war in Ukraine. Since our last update, TAG has observed a continuously growing number of threat actors using the war as a lure in phishing and malware campaigns. Similar to other reports, we have also observed threat actors increasingly target critical infrastructure entities including oil and gas, telecommunications and manufacturing.

Government-backed actors from China, Iran, North Korea and Russia, as well as various unattributed groups, have used various Ukraine war-related themes in an effort to get targets to open malicious emails or click malicious links. Financially motivated and criminal actors are also using current events as a means for targeting users.

As always, we continue to publish details surrounding the actions we take against coordinated influence operations in our quarterly TAG bulletin. We promptly identify and remove any such content but have not observed any significant shifts from the normal levels of activity that occur in the region.

Here is a deeper look at the campaign activity TAG has observed and the actions the team has taken to protect our users over the past few weeks:

APT28 or Fancy Bear, a threat actor attributed to Russia GRU, was observed targeting users in Ukraine with a new variant of malware. The malware, distributed via email attachments inside of password protected zip files (ua_report.zip), is a .Net executable that when executed steals cookies and saved passwords from Chrome, Edge and Firefox browsers. The data is then exfiltrated via email to a compromised email account.

Malware samples:

• 710faabf217a5cd3431670558603a45edb1e01970f2a8710514c2cc3dd8c2424
• 39d242660c6d5dbe97d5725bbfed0f583344d18840ccd902fffdd71af12e20ec

TAG would like to thank the Yahoo! Paranoids Advanced Cyber Threats Team for their collaboration in this investigation.

Turla, a group TAG attributes to Russia FSB, continues to run campaigns against the Baltics, targeting defense and cybersecurity organizations in the region. Similar to recently observed activity, these campaigns were sent via email and contained a unique link per target that led to a DOCX file hosted on attacker controlled infrastructure. When opened, the DOCX file would attempt to download a unique PNG file from the same attacker controlled domain.

Recently observed Turla domains:

• wkoinfo.webredirect[.]org
• jadlactnato.webredirect[.]org

COLDRIVER, a Russian-based threat actor sometimes referred to as Callisto, continues to use Gmail accounts to send credential phishing emails to a variety of Google and non-Google accounts. The targets include government and defense officials, politicians, NGOs and think tanks, and journalists. The group’s tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) for these campaigns have shifted slightly from including phishing links directly in the email, to also linking to PDFs and/or DOCs hosted on Google Drive and Microsoft One Drive. Within these files is a link to an attacker controlled phishing domain.

These phishing domains have been blocked through Google Safe Browsing – a service that identifies unsafe websites across the web and notifies users and website owners of potential harm.

Recently observed COLDRIVER credential phishing domains:

• cache-dns[.]com
• docs-shared[.]com
• documents-forwarding[.]com
• documents-preview[.]com
• protection-link[.]online
• webresources[.]live

Ghostwriter, a Belarusian threat actor, has remained active during the course of the war and recently resumed targeting of Gmail accounts via credential phishing. This campaign, targeting high risk individuals in Ukraine, contained links leading to compromised websites where the first stage phishing page was hosted. If the user clicked continue, they would be redirected to an attacker controlled site that collected the users credentials. There were no accounts compromised from this campaign and Google will alert all targeted users of these attempts through our monthly government-backed attacker warnings.

Both pages from this campaign are shown below.

In mid-April, TAG detected a Ghostwriter credential phishing campaign targeting Facebook users. The targets, primarily located in Lithuania, were sent links to attacker controlled domains from a domain spoofing the Facebook security team.

Recently observed Ghostwriter credential phishing domains and emails:

• noreply.accountsverify[.]top
• microsoftonline.email-verify[.]top
• lt-microsoftgroup.serure-email[.]online
• facebook.com-validation[.]top
• lt-meta.com-verification[.]top
• lt-facebook.com-verification[.]top
• secure@facebookgroup[.]lt

Curious Gorge, a group TAG attributes to China’s PLA SSF, has remained active against government, military, logistics and manufacturing organizations in Ukraine, Russia and Central Asia. In Russia, long running campaigns against multiple government organizations have continued, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Over the past week, TAG identified additional compromises impacting multiple Russian defense contractors and manufacturers and a Russian logistics company.

Protecting Our Users

Upon discovery, all identified websites and domains were added to Safe Browsing to protect users from further exploitation. We also send all targeted Gmail and Workspace users government-backed attacker alerts notifying them of the activity. We encourage any potential targets to enable Google Account Level Enhanced Safe Browsing and ensure that all devices are updated.

The team continues to work around the clock, focusing on the safety and security of our users and the platforms that help them access and share important information. We’ll continue to take action, identify bad actors and share relevant information with others across industry and governments, with the goal of bringing awareness to these issues, protecting users and preventing future attacks. While we are actively monitoring activity related to Ukraine and Russia, we continue to be just as vigilant in relation to other threat actors globally, to ensure that they do not take advantage of everyone’s focus on this region.

Read this post in Spanish. // Blog en español aquí.

Editor’s note: Kurt Russell, a history teacher from Oberlin High School in Ohio, was recently named the 2022 National Teacher of the Year. In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, he’s sharing more about his story, the importance of the teaching community and some ways Google is showing up for educators.

Teachers have the ability to change lives. Ms. Francine Toss and Mr. Larry Thomas changed mine by pouring knowledge, confidence, self-worth, patience and love into me during my elementary and middle school years. And I know countless teachers across the country are doing the same for their own students every day. I’m honored to represent them as this year’s National Teacher of the Year.

But let’s be honest, teaching is not easy. At times, it can be frustrating. We can feel invisible and unappreciated. We constantly struggle to meet our students’ varied needs, often with limited resources. But my fellow teachers motivate me to meet these challenges. This is a community that provides unwavering support and demonstrates resilience, professional excellence and inspiration — not just for our students, but also for each other.

For nearly ten years, Google has been a sponsor of the Council of Chief State School Officers’ National Teacher of the Year program as part of their ongoing support for educators worldwide. I’m thankful for the ways Google is showing up today, and every day, to lift up the teaching community.

Mr. Thomas — the first teacher I had who was a Black man — inspired me to become an educator. I saw myself in him and in the curriculum he taught. And because of his example, I’ve continued the important work of emphasizing cultural relevance and diverse representation in my own teaching. For this reason, I’m glad to see Google team up again with The Conscious Kid to donate another round of inclusive books to 1,000 more Title I elementary schools across the country — building on their inclusive reading guide and the cultural learning section on Google for Education’s Teacher Center. Representation matters throughout an entire educational experience, and I’m proof of the difference it can make in someone’s life.

This year, the National Teacher of the Year program and Google for Education are also offering a $5,000 award to each State Teacher of the Year in appreciation and admiration of the incredible work they do.

If there’s a special teacher making a difference in your life, like Ms. Toss and Mr. Thomas did for me, consider nominating them as next year’s State Teacher of the Year. Whether you’re a student, parent or fellow educator, this is a great way to let someone know they’ve made an impact on you.

During this week when we celebrate the teaching profession and teachers who have made a difference, I hope my fellow educators feel valued and cherished. Because to me, and to so many others, you truly are.

Read this post in English. // Blog en inglésaquí.

Nota del Editor: Kurt Russell, la historia de un maestro de Oberlin High School en Ohio, fue nombrado recientemente como Maestro Nacional del Año 2022. En honor a la semana de Apreciación al Maestro , él nos comparte más de su historia, la importancia de la comunidad educativa y algunas formas en las que Google reconoce a los educadores.

Los maestros tienen la habilidad de transformar vidas. La señorita Francine Toss y el Señor Larry Thomas cambiaron la mía al compartir conmigo conocimiento, confianza, autovaloración, paciencia y amor durante los años de la escuela primaria y secundaria. Y yo sé que hay una cantidad incontable de profesores, en todo el país, que hacen esto mismo con sus alumnos cada día. Me siento honrado de representarlos al ser nombrado como Maestro Nacional del Año.

Pero seamos honestos, enseñar no es sencillo. Hay momentos en los que puede ser frustrante. Nos podemos llegar a sentir invisibles y poco valorados. Suele ser un desafío poder satisfacer las múltiples necesidades de nuestros alumnos, teniendo muchas veces recursos limitados. Pero mis queridos profesores me motivaron a enfrentar estos desafíos. Esta es una comunidad que proveé un apoyo inquebrantable y muestra resiliencia, excelencia profesional e inspiración – no solo para los estudiantes, sino también entre nosotros.

Por casi 10 años, Google ha sido un patrocinador del programa de Maestro del Año del Consejo de Jefes Estatales de Oficiales de las Escuelas como parte de su apoyo constante a los educadores alrededor del mundo. Estoy muy agradecido por las maneras en las que Google se muestra en la actualidad, y cada día, para engrandecer a la comunidad educativa.

El señor Thomas – mi primer profesor que era un hombre de color – me inspiró a convertirme en educador. Me vi a mí mismo en él y en la materia que impartía. Y es por este ejemplo, que continué con la importante labor de enfatizar la relevancia cultural y la representación de la diversidad en mi propia enseñanza. Por esta razón, me complace ver que Google hizo equipo nuevamente con El Niño Consciente para donar otra cantidad de libros inclusivos, 1,000 más Títulos I de escuela primaria por todo el país – construir suguía de lectura inclusiva y la sección de aulas cultural del Centro de Profesores de Google for Education. La representación es importante en toda la experiencia educativa, y yo soy la prueba de la diferencia que puede hacer en la vida de alguien más.

Este año, el programa de Maestro Nacional del Año y Google for Education están ofreciendo un premio de $5,000 para cada Maestro Estatal del Año como reconocimiento y admiración por la increíble labor que hacen.

Si hay algún maestro que esté haciendo una diferencia en tu vida, como la Señorita Toss y el Señor Thomas lo hicieron por la mía, considera nominarlos como próximo Maestro Estatal del Año. Ya sea que tu seas su estudiante, padre o compañero educador, esta es una excelente manera de hacerle saber a alguien que han hecho un impacto en ti.

Durante esta semana en la que celebramos la profesión de enseñar y a los maestros que han hecho una diferencia, espero que mis compañeros educadores se sientan valorados y apreciados. Porque para mí, y para muchos otros, en verdad lo son.

Editor’s note: Today marks the start of National Small Business Week, a time to celebrate the millions of small businesses across the U.S. that power and connect our communities. This morning, Lisa Gevelber, Founder of Grow with Google, was joined by the Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator, Isabella Casillas Guzman, at an event to announce new resources for businesses to help fuel growth and employee skill development. More details below.

Small businesses drive the U.S. economy and employ more than 46% of workers. We can attribute much of the nation’s economic rebound over the past two years to the hard work of American businesses — and to the digital tools that helped them adapt. At Google, we see how technology is fueling American business growth in the 2.4 billion connections we make every month between American businesses and their customers.

Three out of four U.S. small-and-medium sized businesses reported that adopting digital tools during the pandemic created new opportunities for their business. And digitally advanced businesses report 20 times better customer acquisition rates. Yet almost half (49%) of small businesses still lack the information and skills needed to use digital tools. Filling these skill gaps can help fuel growth for American businesses while creating new opportunities for workers. That’s why we’re expanding our Google Career Certificates program to further meet the needs of businesses and job seekers.

Google Career Certificate scholarships for U.S. businesses

To make it easier for businesses to help their employees get the skills they need, beginning today, U.S. businesses can get up to 500 scholarships each to Google Career Certificates to train their employees.[71cee3]These scholarships are worth up to $100,000 in workforce training per American company. Businesses can apply at grow.google/certificatesforbusiness.

It’s no secret that businesses of all sizes are struggling to acquire and retain talent. Those who create growth opportunities for their employees have a much better shot at retaining them. Businesses can use Google Career Certificates to train their employees for jobs in data analytics, digital marketing & e-commerce, IT support, project management or user experience (UX) design. No experience is required, and employees can earn an industry recognized credential in three to six months of part-time study. For every scholarship we give, a business will be gaining capabilities and, at the same time, an employee will be growing new skills.

Giving businesses more capabilities in e-commerce and digital marketing

The pandemic accelerated the need for digital tools — and we know digitally advanced businesses have been more financially resilient, and have hired at twice the rate compared to less digitally advanced peers.

To ensure businesses of all sizes can use digital marketing and e-commerce to unlock growth opportunities — and that they have access to talent with the know-how — Google is launching a new Digital Marketing & E-commerce Certificate.

This new certificate is rigorous, and endorsed by the 4A’s (American Association of Advertising Agencies) and the AAF (American Advertising Federation). Here’s what you should know:

• This certificate teaches digital marketing and e-commerce skills, including how to find customers, building an online store, measurement and analytics and increasing customer loyalty.
• Like all our certificates, all course instructors are Google employees who are subject-matter experts.
• Learners will get hands-on experience with popular digital marketing and e-commerce tools and platforms such as Canva, Constant Contact, Hootsuite, HubSpot, MailChimp, Shopify and Twitter, as well as Google Ads and Google Analytics.

This certificate is the latest addition to the Google Career Certificates program, which provides flexible online training for skills in high-growth fields. Combined, these certificates provide job seekers with access to more than 1.5 million in-demand jobs in the U.S. Graduates of the program gain access to jobs through our employer consortium, which includes more than 150 companies — such as Crate & Barrel, Infosys, Shopify, Verizon, Walmart, Wayfair and Google — that are eager to hire entry-level talent in these fields.

We’re looking forward to seeing what opportunities businesses, employees and job seekers continue to unlock with the expansion of the program. Learn more and enroll at grow.google/digitalmarketing.

Summer 2022 is nearly here, and vacationing is on many minds. But it’s not as easy as deciding you’re ready to hit the road — or sky. We took a look at some Google Search and Flight trends and came up with a few questions you can ask yourself as you start planning to go…somewhere, anywhere besides your home. And to help you answer those questions, we’ve got plenty of travel-related Google trends that can guide you through settling on your next journey.

Who should go on the trip with you?

So far in 2022, search interest in “girls trip destinations” is up 300% and “good bachelor party ideas” is up 200%, so group trips are certainly on our minds. Expecting parents would be wise to take one last couples trip — in fact, in the U.S., search interest in “best babymoon destinations usa” increased 170% in the first four months of 2022. And there’s nothing wrong with going solo; look no further than the 600% spike in “singles cruises” from January through April 2022.

What’s the goal of your getaway?

Once you’ve settled on who you want to travel with, the real fun can start and you can decide what kind of trip this will be. Well…is this a trip, or a vacation? Do you want to rest up, or rev up? Are you treating yourself or trying new adventures? Or maybe a little of all the above!

According to Google Trends, lots of people are looking to experience the outdoors: The top-searched summer attractions in the U.S. include Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks, as well as Lake Tahoe and the Grand Canyon.

Glamping is also a popular option for those who want to get outside without totally roughing it (that’s glamorous camping, for the uninitiated). From January 2019 to April 2022, search interest in “glamping near me” spiked more than 500%. Florida, Texas, California, Georgia and Tennessee are the most-searched destinations for glamping.

Where should you go?

Whatever kind of traveler you are (or plan to become this summer!), landing on the right destination is key. And if you’re excited about an international adventure, you’re in great company! Search interest in “passport appointments” increased 300% over the first four months of 2022, and Google Flights trends show that five of the top 20 destinations people in the U.S. are searching for are in Europe — London, Paris, Rome, Athens and Lisbon. Here’s a look at the complete list of the 20 top-searched summer destinations on Google Flights:

1) Orlando

2) Cancun

3) Las Vegas

4) London

5) New York

6) Los Angeles

7) Paris

8) Seattle

9) Honolulu

10) Denver

11) Rome

12) Miami

13) San Juan

14) Fort Lauderdale

15) Chicago

16) Boston

17) Athens

18) San Francisco

19) Lisbon

20) Portland

Looking to stay stateside? Domestic travel trends show people looking for flights to Orlando, Las Vegas, New York, L.A. and Seattle, among other great U.S. cities. So if you want to hit the trendy spots, you know where to go…and if you want to avoid the trendy spots, you know where not to go.

Traveling isn’t stress-free, and for anyone who’s already feeling overwhelmed by the options, there’s nothing wrong with indulging in a staycation. In fact, looking at January through April 2022, “luxury hotels near me” has over two times the search interest it had during the same period in 2019. No passport required.