Apple isn't alone in blocking government-backed security breaches.

Google today announced that it will let users know if they are been targeted by a state sponsored hacker using a new warning.

The company said it will also be increasing the visibility of other types of Gmail security warnings to try and help people better protect themselves.

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Apple isn't alone in blocking government-backed security breaches. Google today announced that it will let users know if they are been targeted by a state sponsored hacker using a new warning

'Since 2012, we've warned Gmail users when we suspect they've been targeted by state-sponsored attackers,' Google said in a blog post.

'These warnings are rare - fewer than 0.1 per cent of users ever receive them - but they are critically important.

'The users that receive these warnings are often activists, journalists, and policy-makers taking bold stands around the world.'

Google will now provide full-page warning with instructions about how these users can stay safe.

Users may see these new warnings instead of, or in addition to, the existing ones, Google added.

The users that receive these warnings are often activists, journalists, and policy-makers taking bold stands around the world

Google has been increasing its Gmail security in recent months. One of its recent changes is the expansion of the 'safe browsing' notifications

The move comes as the world's leading tech companies backed civil liberties advocates who filed court papers backing Apple in its fight with the FBI over an encrypted iPhone used by an extremist killer.

GOOGLE'S PADLOCK ALERT If the account the user is sending it to is encrypted, the padlock with show as locked. This means users can go ahead and send the email without worrying that someone will be able to read it who isn't supposed to. If they receive a message that can't be authenticated, they'll also see a question mark where they may otherwise see a profile photo or logo. They can then choose to send the data or not. Advertisement

Several trade associations and a group of 17 smaller tech firms, including Twitter, LinkedIn, Airbnb and Reddit submitted their own filings on Apple's behalf.

Google has been increasing its Gmail security in recent months.

Last month, it introduced a security measure in the form of a small red padlock next to a sender's email address to highlight if the message is potentially unsafe.

One of its recent changes is the expansion of the 'safe browsing' notifications.

'Safe Browsing already protects Gmail users by identifying potentially dangerous links in messages,' Google wrote in a recent blog post.

'Starting this week, Gmail users will begin to see warnings if they click these links, further extending this protection to different web browsers and email apps.'

If users receive a message that can't be authenticated, they'll also see a question mark where they may otherwise see a profile photo or logo, Google said.

As part of Safer internet Day, Google also announced it will reward users with 2GB of free Drive cloud storage for those that complete its online security check.

Completing the security check is free and let's Google scan the user's internet connection to warn them if it sees anything unusual.

The next time you log into Gmail you might notice a small red padlock (illustrated) next to a sender's email address to highlight that the message may not be safe. Google has introduced the security measure to help people identify dodgy emails and make sure users stay safe from hackers while using Gmail

If the account the user is sending to is encrypted, the padlock with be locked. If they receive a message that can't be authenticated (right), they'll see a question mark where they may otherwise see a profile photo or logo