Hackers are pushing malware through fake website ads claiming to offer popular free software in Google search.
The reported software being faked are, among others, VLC, 7-Zip, CCleaner, Rufus and OBS.
Apparently, Google has already removed the malicious ads as they "have robust policies prohibiting ads that attempt to circumvent our enforcement by disguising the advertiser’s identity and impersonating other brands". But this doesn't mean that a larger scale attack could happen again.
Don't use Google
try using aggregators like https://searx.github.io/searx/
Or at least wear protection.
Stay safe.
Sources:
https://mybroadband.co.za/news/secu...y-fake-malware-apps-in-google-search-ads.html
https://web.archive.org/web/2023011...via-google-search-ads-for-vlc-7-zip-ccleaner/
The reported software being faked are, among others, VLC, 7-Zip, CCleaner, Rufus and OBS.
Apparently, Google has already removed the malicious ads as they "have robust policies prohibiting ads that attempt to circumvent our enforcement by disguising the advertiser’s identity and impersonating other brands". But this doesn't mean that a larger scale attack could happen again.
Don't use Google
try using aggregators like https://searx.github.io/searx/Or at least wear protection.
Stay safe.
Sources:
https://mybroadband.co.za/news/secu...y-fake-malware-apps-in-google-search-ads.html
https://web.archive.org/web/2023011...via-google-search-ads-for-vlc-7-zip-ccleaner/


