Google has been issuing alerts to users to enhance their security as it detects more than 4,000 state-sponsored cyberattacks per month. Speaking at Fortune magazine's tech conference in Colorado on 11 July, Diane Greene, Google senior vice president and Alphabet's board member said that the company was leading the way in notifying users of government spying.

The tech giant has been known to have set a precedent in alerting users of such attacks, which was then adopted by Microsoft as well, according to Reuters.

However, it is uncertain whether the state-sponsored cyberattacks that Greene referred to involved US government spying or threat actors working for other countries. It is also unclear as to how many users have been affected by the cyberattacks detected by Google.

IBTimes UK has reached out to Google for further clarification on the number of cyberattacks detected, the threat level, and reach of the attackers mentioned by Greene and is awaiting comment.

Google alerts users of 4,000 state sponsored cyberattacks per month
It is still uncertain however, if the state-sponsored cyberattacks Greene referred to involved government spying or international threat actors leveraging cyber-espionage campaigns. iStock

High-profile state-sponsored attacks

With a steady rise in cybercrime, researchers have noted that cybercriminals are gaining momentum in launching advanced attacks against set targets. The recent hack on the Democratic National Party (DNC), which according to security experts may have been conducted by Russian state-sponsored hackers, is an example of high-profile targets that cybercriminals focus on exploiting.

The US is allegedly one of the main countries involved in cyberespionage campaigns. In June, researchers noted that yet another Russian-linked cyberespionage group called Sofacy had launched a new campaign targeting US government officials.

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