London - ALsharqiya November 13: A cybersecurity company has issued a warning about a series of cyber attacks targeting internet users via malicious search links.
The company said that users should avoid typing six specific words into search engines, as they may fall victim to the theft of their personal data simply by clicking on fraudulent links that appear at the top of search results. Some users who typed a simple query on Google such as: “Are Bengal cats legal in Australia?” were reportedly subjected to the theft of their personal data. “SOPHOS” explained in its statement that “victims are often lured by clicking on malicious advertising links that appear to be legitimate marketing advertisements.”
It also added that dangerous links usually appear in search results when using the word “Australia,” making internet users in Australia more vulnerable to this type of attack. Once these results are clicked, hackers can steal users’ data, such as their banking details, using a malicious program known as “Gootloader.” This program does not only steal information, but it can also prevent users from accessing their devices. SOPHOS indicated that using harmless search terms such as Bengal cats makes this threat more dangerous, as the user does not need to search for something suspicious to fall victim to these attacks. The company explained that hackers have begun to rely on a tactic known as “search engine poisoning” to hack harmless searches, which allows them to easily access users’ data. SOPHOS advised users who suspect that they have been affected by this attack to change their passwords immediately to protect their data.
