He Google search engine It is one of the resources most used by those who manage the Internet in their daily lives. However, not all searches carried out through this tool are risk-free, and some cybersecurity experts already they have begun to warn about the possibilities that the computer—or device from which the search is performed—can be hacked.
Just a week ago, the cybersecurity firm SOPHOS sounded the alarm by identifying a sophisticated campaign designed by cybercriminals to ‘hijack’ search results on Google very particular. The dangerous phrase that led those interested to enter malicious links was the following: “Are Bengal cats legal in Australia?”
In this way, if you clicked on any of the results that offered that question, the device would be infectedgiving free rein to cybercriminals to steal all possible information and personal data, with the aim of demanding a ransom for them, according to the newspaper Daily Mail.
The technique used by cybercriminals is called SEO poisoningand consists of manipulate the results of a Google search to direct people to other malicious web pages, controlled by them. “They are redirected to sites that expose them to malware that is often downloaded immediately and can compromise computer security and potentially lead to data theft or device infections,” he explains. Daily Mail Jake Moore, Global Cybersecurity Advisor at ESET.
According to what they add from the company specialized in computer security McAffeethere are different types of SEO poisoning, although the most common are due to keywords, links or false content that appears well positioned in the search results.
In addition to the aforementioned phrase about Bengal cats in Australia, experts have detected other very common words or searches that should never be consulted on Google to avoid being hacked. Although these phrases are in their original version in English, all caution is insufficient.
- “Customer service number”: The founder of cybersecurity company TorGuard, Ben Van Pelt, has warned that scammers often buy ads to impersonate the customer service line of a legitimate company. By calling that number that appears, instead of a technician, the customer will encounter a scammer who will try to get hold of their data. Van Pelt also advises against searching on Google “technical support”and in both cases it recommends always looking for these phone numbers on the company’s official website.
- “Easy loans”: Van Pelt has also warned about those who search on Google for phrases like “easy loans”, “Plans to make money fast” either “Well-paying remote jobs”. In these cases, cybercriminals will try to trick the user who clicks on their links into revealing banking information or downloading malware to their computers.
- “Google Authenticator”– Cybersecurity researchers at Malwarebytes have discovered that cybercriminals have tried to impersonate this real Google app by purchasing fraudulent ads promoting what appeared to be a legitimate link to the app. The recommendation, in these cases, is never click on an ad to download any type of software.
- “Sports mental toughness questionnaire”: The attack detected after typing this phrase is directed at a very specific type of profile, unlike the previous ones, in which the results that appear in the search link directly to PDF files that automatically download viruses hidden on the page. “If someone downloads something, they should make sure Don’t click the file in your downloads folderas this will execute the malware,” warned cybersecurity expert Jake Moore. “It is best to remove it and run a virus scan to give yourself peace of mind,” he adds.
- “Viagra online”: In this case, cybersecurity experts warn users about the dangers of searching for the word “viagra” or any other similar medication. This is a pharmaceutical hack, in which users believe they are accessing a legitimate website that sells legal pharmaceutical products, and are tricked by scammers into taking their personal data or selling them fake pharmaceutical products that could be harmful to their health. .
#Words #phrases #search #Google #dont #computer #hacked
