A bizarre six-word Google search term has been identified by cybersecurity experts as a potential risk for users, leaving them vulnerable to hackers. The search term “Are Bengal cats legal in Australia” has been hijacked by cybercriminals to create fake websites that can download malicious software, known as malware, onto users’ computers. This malware can steal personal data, financial details, and login credentials, and even give hackers remote access to the infected device.
Cybersecurity researcher Sean Gallagher from Sophos, a British cybersecurity company, explained that hackers exploit niche search terms with fewer search results by creating fake websites that appear to answer the question. These websites are used for malicious purposes. The technique, known as “SEO poisoning,” has been around since 2020 but has seen continued growth in recent years.
Hackers have also targeted popular software searches, such as Blender 3D, Photoshop, and financial trading tools, to infect users’ computers. To stay safe, users should be cautious when clicking on search results, check web addresses for misspellings or unusual names, and beware of unexpected downloads or requests for sensitive information. Keeping browsers and operating systems up to date is also essential.
Citation: Bradley Jolly, “Bizarre six-word Google search term which leaves you open to hackers is revealed,” Mirror
