Googling may seem harmless, but what you search on Google can actually put you at risk of becoming a victim of a hacker.
Cyber security experts have revealed common words and phrases you should never Google if you want to avoid getting hacked.
It comes after cyber security company SOPHOS issued an urgent warning on its website, asking people not to type the six words into their search engines: “Are Bengal cats legal in Australia?,
Jake Moore, Global Cybersecurity Advisor at ESET, Explained to Daily Mail A technique called “SEO poisoning” allows cybercriminals to use Google’s search results to trick unsuspecting victims into clicking on websites they control in an attempt to weaken computer security.
“SEO poisoning is a tactic used by cybercriminals to manipulate search engine results and then direct users to malicious websites that often look real,” Moore said.
“When users click on these links they are taken to sites that expose them to malware that is often downloaded immediately which can compromise the security of the computer and potentially lead to data theft or device theft.” “Can cause infection”
Here are five words and phrases you should avoid entering into Google to avoid the risk of getting hacked:
customer service number
Doing a quick Google search is an easy way to find a company’s customer service phone number, but fraudsters often buy ads to appear at the top of search results to deceive people.
These scammers will provide misleading links and phone numbers that ultimately connect the user to them rather than to the company they are trying to reach.
“They get these calls, sometimes hundreds a day, and they mimic a technician,” said Ben Van Pelt, founder of a cybersecurity company. torguardexplained to indie100,
To avoid this, experts suggest skipping the ads and going directly to the company’s website to get their contact information.
money making searches
Scammers will exploit people who are in financial distress and looking for “easy loans” with false advertisements for easy and instant loans.
“Instead of turning to Google for financial assistance, seek financial services from accredited banks and lenders,” Van Pelt advised.
Likewise, searching for “quick money making schemes”, which often promise “investment opportunities”, will usually lead to a pyramid scheme.
“Avoid falling into pyramid schemes. For investment opportunities, always consult a reputable investment broker or financial advisor,” he said.
Searching for “high paying remote jobs” and “free credit reports” is also risky.
“When looking for employment, stick to well-known job websites and official career pages of reputable companies to reduce the risk of encountering scammers,” Van Pelt said.
google authenticator
Some cybercriminals will try to copy genuine products. In June, cybersecurity researchers at Malwarebytes said that scammers were targeting users searching for the Google Authenticator app.
The app requires the user to log into secure services and provide two-factor authentication, but Malwarebytes found that hackers have purchased advertisements to promote what look like legitimate links to the app.
However, in these false links, the person who clicks “download” ends up installing malware designed to extort the device for personal data.
Malwarebytes’ Jerome Segura wrote in an article, “The main issue with brand impersonation comes from ads that appear as if they were from official sources and the identities of advertisers verified by Google.” blog post,
“We should note that Google Authenticator is a well-known and trusted multi-factor authentication tool, so there is some irony in being compromised by potential victims just trying to improve their security posture.”
Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire
Cyber criminals are also known to go after certain individuals and groups of people.
on researchers Menlo Security were investigating a malware campaign called SolarMarker when they discovered that the extremely specific phrase “Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire” had been compromised.
The search found links to PDF files that are automatically downloaded to the computer and viruses hidden on the page.
“it [SEO poisoning] This is often hard to identify, but will usually be used specifically for people using Google to search documents and PDFs, rather than websites,” Moore explained. “Suspicious links will be embedded so that they are automatically downloaded without your knowledge.”
If something downloads, Moore recommends not clicking on the file. Rather, delete it and run a virus scan “for peace of mind.”
online viagra
Cybersecurity experts warn to be careful when searching for Viagra or similar products online so as not to become a victim of a “pharma hack.”
In this hack scammers break into vulnerable WordPress websites and insert links to fake pages advertising knock-off versions of branded pharmaceuticals.
“By doing this, people actually believe that they are clicking on a legitimate website that sells legal pharmaceuticals,” SolidWP researchers explained,
Once someone is brought to the site, scammers can trick them into giving personal information and even sell them counterfeit pharmaceuticals, which can be harmful to one’s health.
