Searching These Six Words Is Getting Several Users Hacked And It Involves Bengal Cats; Here’s How
Users in Australia are prone to hackers online if they google “Are Bengal Cats Legal In Australia.” How does this exact six-word phrase make users vulnerable?
Urgent warning: Don’t type these six words or your computer could be HACKED pic.twitter.com/OQLkLbw2lR
— Daily Mail US (@DailyMail) November 9, 2024
Hackers have dreamed up a new way to target Australians who are typing six very specific words into a search engine.
— news.com.au (@newscomauHQ) November 10, 2024
Searching these six words could get your computer hacked
— Metro (@MetroUK) November 9, 2024
The hackers target users by deploying SEO poisoning. According to cyber security firm SOPHOS, urged netizens not to search these phrases online as victims are prone to landing on fraudulent links luring on the top of the website. Cybercriminals use GootLoader via SEO poisoning to get initial access to the victims, which is disguised as legitimate advertisements. The victim’s system is compromised when they download the genuine-looking file from the portal. The malware, if undetected, launches GootKit in the compromised machine. GootKit is an advanced Remote Access Trojan (RAT) that invades the computer and steals info. SOPHOS stated that malevolent GootLoader actors are using a peculiar search result to deliver malware. The search pertains to Bengal Cat for the Australian region. Here’s in Shelocky, details on how SOPHOS went into GootLoader hunting and identified the latest threat. The cyber security firm states that the technique of abusing search engine advertising to fish for victims isn’t exactly novel, as GootLoader has been utilized by cybercriminals since as early as 2020. SOPHOS suggests users be wary of sus-looking links, websites, and social media posts, whether they are on the prowl for Bengal Cats online or not.
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