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Topics: Google, Technology
Britt Jones
Be wary of what you type into your browser, as you might end up getting hacked.
That’s right, according to a cybersecurity company called SOPHOS, if you search for this one specific thing, you’re putting yourself at risk.
This strange cyber attack goes after a specific group of people in the world, and all of whose curiosity about a pretty normal subject leads them to being victimized.
This has led to SOPHOS issuing an urgent warning on its website not to type six specific words into Google or any other internet browser you may use.
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“Victims are often enticed into clicking on malicious adware or links disguised as legitimate marketing, or in this case a legitimate Google search,” SOPHOS explained.
This happens via ‘SEO poisoning’, where a hacker will create a fraudulent link with stellar search engine rankings so that it appears near the top of the search result page.
As links that appear closer to the top are more likely to be clicked on as they are seen as legitimate and popular, this then creates a hook for their proverbial fish to be reeled in.
And the six words that’ll get you in trouble?
‘Are Bengal Cats legal in Australia?’
People have reported that after clicking on a link when searching for this result has led to them having their personal information stolen.
Hackers were then able to enter firm’s private emails, and from there they could assess the buyer’s contact details, timing of purchase and purchase price.
But apparently, the links won’t appear if you don’t add 'Australia', which means that those who live in the country are the most at risk.
Once users click on a search result, they can expect to have their information, such as bank details, stolen through Gootloader - a program that can steal their information and even lock them out of their computers too, as per SOPHOS.
While there probably isn’t too many people searching up Bengal cats, the company claims that it’s alarming because it’s such a niche topic that many wouldn’t even think that they would be at risk of being hacked over it.
SOPHOS shared that cyber criminals are infiltrating little-known Google searches by using SEO poisoning.
The Daily Mail describes this as an ‘insidious technique in which criminals manipulate search engine results to push websites they control to the top of the page’.
SOPHOS warned that if you think you have been a victim of SEO poisoning, you should change your passwords as soon as possible.
The website reads: “GootLoader is known for using search engine optimization (SEO) poisoning for its initial access. Victims are often enticed into clicking on malicious adware or links disguised as legitimate marketing, or in this case a legitimate Google search directing the user to a compromised website hosting a malicious payload masquerading as the desired file.
“If the malware remains undetected on the victim’s machine, it makes way for a second-stage payload known as GootKit, which is a highly evasive info stealer and remote access Trojan (RAT) used to establish a persistent foothold in the victim’s network environment.”
So, making sure you know the links you’re click on is vital.
UNILAD has contacted Google for comment.