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SciTech
Malware hiding behind popup 'browser updates'
Think twice before clicking on that browser update popup: it may deliver malware instead of the update it promises.
An article posted on The Next Web said the popups claim to offer new versions of major browsers such as Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer.
"The warning is the same for all of them: 'Attention! Your browser is out of date, some of extensions may interfere your work!' Users are told that their current browser version is out of date and that they are invited to install the latest update, which is of course malware," it said.
"In all cases, victims are redirected to the fake browser update domain via advertising on other sites. If you are browsing the Web and suddenly get a popup or ad to update your browser, don’t click it. Furthermore, make sure you’re running a solid security solution if you aren’t already," it added.
It said cybercriminals appear to be exploiting the fast pace major browsers are being updated.
For November alone, it said Google released Chrome 23, Mozilla released Firefox 17, and Microsoft released an IE 10 preview for Windows 7.
Last Nov. 16, a new securebrowserupdate.com domain went online, detecting which browser a Web surfer is using, then offers “new versions” of that browser with “service packs” and “Antivirus protection.”
"(While that domain is) dead now, others are sure to spring up soon, if they haven’t already," The Next Web said.
The cybercriminals behind the new malware campaign even made a similar popup for Apple's iPhone, which The Next Web said shows the attack targets not just desktop PCs but also mobile devices.
It said the fake iPhone popup attack may put mobile users at risk of premium rate SMS messages if they visit the site. — TJD, GMA News
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