Searching online for harmless information can hide cybersecurity risks – a reality that all internet users should be familiar with. Specific, seemingly irrelevant phrases are being used by hackers to trick users and infiltrate systems. According to the British newspaper Daily Mirror, one of these expressions is “Are Bengal cats legal in Australia”, researching which can expose the device to considerable dangers.
The technique behind this threat is called SEO poisoning (Search Engine Optimization) and consists of manipulating search engine algorithms so that hackers’ websites appear among the first results. Instead of taking the user to a safe and informative website, these links take them to infected pages, which, when accessed, download malware capable of stealing personal data, including financial information and login credentials, and, in some cases, giving gives the attacker remote control over the device.
Sean Gallagher, cybersecurity researcher at British company Sophos, explains that the attack is mounted based on the lack of relevant answers to specific searches. “When you do a Google search and it says ‘there aren’t many good answers to this,’ that’s an opportunity for hackers to build a website that appears to answer that question and use it for malicious purposes.”
Sophos, a company based in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, warns that this type of online threat is not new. THE SEO poisoning has gained ground since 2020, with several massive campaigns taking advantage of this technique last year. However, in addition to more obscure phrases, hackers also apply this practice to searches for popular terms, such as graphic design programs (e.g. Blender 3D and Photoshop) and remote computer access tools, with the aim of obtaining a large number of victims.
To minimize the risks of falling into one of these traps, Sophos, cited by , advises that users always check website addresses before clicking. Some of the warning signs include misspellings in links, unfamiliar website names, or unexpected download requests. Additionally, keeping your system and browser up to date is crucial to reducing vulnerabilities.
Although the ease of access to information online has transformed everyday life, it also opens up space for new threats that require constant vigilance. In times where the sophistication of computer attacks continues to grow, prudence is the best ally of any user who surfs the internet.
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