Search for Chrome on Bing, and you might get a nasty surprise
It’s 2018, and you can still end up with your computer compromised by searching for the world’s most popular browser.
That fact was brought home once again by Twitter user Gabriel Landau who, immediately upon firing up his brand new Windows 10 laptop and trying to download Google Chrome, was directed instead by Bing (the default search engine used by Windows 10’s default Microsoft Edge browser) to a bogus website.
Landau discovered that Bing was displaying a promoted search result to users who searched for the phrase “download Chrome” that linked to a non-official site (googleonline2018[dot]com).
If he hadn’t had his wits about him, Landau might easily have fallen for the scam and downloaded malicious code from the unauthorised site.
That’s all the more likely because – in the Bing promoted search engine result – the domain was listed as google.com, but actually took anyone who clicked to the dangerous link at the different domain instead.
Microsoft responded to Landau, saying that it has removed the offending Bing ads and banned the associated account. It has also pointed to a webpage where “low quality” ads (such as malvertising) can be reported by users.
That doesn’t, of course, explain how the ad in the Bing search results was able to claim it would take users to the genuine google.com domain.
But worse still, it doesn’t explain why the problem didn’t get fixed six months ago, when Bleeping Computer reported the same trick being used!
Back in April, Lawrence Abrams of Bleeping Computer described how using Bing to search for ‘chrome download’ resulted in an ad being displayed which appeared to direct users to the official Chrome download page at the google.com domain but actually took them to googlechrome2018[dot]net.
On that occasion, Microsoft responded within 24 hours by removing the ad.
But the problem is – this keeps happening. Microsoft removing dodgy ads from its Bing search results is all very well, but it isn’t stopping them from appearing.
Microsoft needs to more to prevent these misleading and malicious ads from appearing in search results in the first place.
All we can hope is that Microsoft Bing will now take the problem more seriously – and do a better job of policing its Bing search results ads in future. That, of course, should include verifying that the URLs displayed in the results match where users will actually be taken.
Landau has asked Microsoft’s Bing team what steps it is taking to prevent ads being listed with misleading URLs, but so far has received no response.
And as for googleonline2018[dot]com? Thankfully, most browsers are now blocking access to the URL and warning visitors of the danger.
But, of course, there’s nothing to stop scammers, confidence tricksters, and other online criminals from creating other domains that they might try to dupe users into visiting.
Source hotforsecurity
Industry: Cyber Security News
Latest Jobs
-
- CONTRACT SOC Manager. London / Birmingham. URGENT Immediate role.
- London
- N/A
-
REF7847 Contract SOC Manager. SC cleared, London / Birmingham. Initial 3 month Contract. SOC Manager needed to for an URGENT 3-4 month CONTRACT. SC clearance is essential. The project is to aid in the setup, implementation and management of resources to help with the initial stand up stages of a new SOC within a greenfield site. This is a short term contract role whilst a permanent hire is brought on over the coming 3 to 4 months. Experience engaging with and managing client stakeholder relationships as well as 3rd party relationships is critical. The role will involve; setting up, implementing and fine tuning the various initial stages of a SOC environment. Experience establishing and building out technical process / operational capability, managing of technical teams (analysts, engineers and architects, creation of policy / playbooks, fine turning is key. SPLUNK is the tooling of choice… Interviewing immediately. Set up a call with me today on https://calendly.com/chris-holt/arranged-call-with-chris-holt-remote-soc-role Direct contact details Chris.Holt@dclsearch.com or 07884666351
-
- SPLUNK Level 3 SOC Consultant, SIEM Splunk, London / Birmingham
- Birmingham
- 55000
-
REF CH7825 Level 3 SOC Consultant, SIEM Splunk, London / Birmingham £55,000 + Level 3 SOC Consultant, SIEM SPLUNK needed. Security Clearance. Permanent role Level 3 SOC Consultant, SIEM SPLUNK needed to join a public sector client. The ability to achieve SC clearance is essential. MUST have experience working with SPLUNK ideally to an Advanced Power User level. Splunk Enterprise Security (ES) knowledge and hands on experience highly desirable. The role will include, but not be limited to; managing and handling incidents end to end, supporting and mentoring level 1 / level 2 staff, supporting the SOC manager in the delivery of the SOC roadmap, engaging with the client stakeholders (other technical teams) as and where needed, use case development, advanced search and reporting etc. The individual MUST currently be living in the UK and be able to achieve UK security clearance. (SC) This is a permanent role To arrange a call with Chris Holt use this calendy link https://calendly.com/chris-holt/arranged-call-with-chris-holt-remote-soc-role Chris.Holt@dclsearch.com
-
- Aspiring Cyber Partner. Business lead, market maker.
- London
- 150000+
-
Aspiring Cyber Partner (management consultancy) with Cyber specialism into Healthcare, Utilities and or Public Sector. Working with new and existing clients to help them solve, transform or evolve their cyber capabilities. MUST have; A proven management consultancy background in cyber. A history of identifying and closing new business opportunities. Currently Revenue generating / must be able to demonstrate recent wins. Client facing to board level with international businesses. Team leadership / mentoring experience. Extensive cyber industry experience. Digital transformation, Start-up environments etc. Experienced presenter at industry events, to be the public face of a business / capability. Breadth of knowledge across Cyber security. Service definition / creation. Would consider a senior director with experience delivering the above looking to step up. All conversations kept in confidence. To arrange a discreet call book a time to speak in my diary via https://calendly.com/chris-holt/cyber-partner-call Chris.Holt@dclsearch.com
-
- Internal Security Auditor, Level 1 Service Provider (ISO27001)
- London
- Upto 65,000 plus benefits
-
Internal Security Auditor ISO 27001, PCI, needed to join a Cyber team within this expanding Fintech business. The Internal Security Auditor will have end to end responsibility for planning, delivering, remediating any findings etc. Experience working within financial services is highly desirable. This Is a great time to join a newly formed and growing Cyber team within a rapidly expanding fintech, that is taking a major share of its market. We are looking for someone with experience, (but not to be limited to) a mix of Information Security standards, frameworks, audit principles, controls / policies and the management and use of the technical tooling etc. ISO 22301, ISO 27001, NIST Cybersecurity Framework etc An ideal candidate will be working within an end user environment with a cyber consultancy background. Experience taking a company through accreditation is highly desirable Experience managing internal stakeholders, technical teams and external third parties essential Flexible working, but with the ability to get into London. This is an exclusive role to DCL Search & Selection.