Security threats can carry through very varied means. Hackers use strategies that can bypass security measures, such as antivirus. In this article, we echo a new danger in which Google alerts are used to sneak fake Adobe Flash updates and thus infect the computers of unsuspecting users.
Fake Adobe Flash updates to sneak malware
Cybercriminals are using Google Alerts to sneak fake Adobe Flash Player updates. Specifically what they do is index keywords that users follow and upon receiving the alert and accessing, they are actually redirected to a malicious site.
Basically it is a false story that is part of a campaign to send notifications to users . These notifications indicate that there is a pending Adobe Flash update and that they need to install. Logically it is a scam.
Keep in mind that Adobe Flash Player has reached the end of its useful life and is currently not compatible with any browser. However, many users may not be aware and when they find a button indicating that they can update, they click on it.
What those who click that update button actually do is download a file, setup.msi, which installs a malicious program called One Updater . What this program does is show different updates that should be installed and it is actually unwanted programs.
Although security researchers have not confirmed such a thing at the moment, in previous cases such a program has sent Trojans to steal passwords and cryptocurrency miners . Sometimes these programs arrive as a so-called browser extension, update, or upgrade. Clueless users can click and put the security of their computers at risk.
How to avoid falling victim to fake updates
The most important thing to avoid being victims of this problem and others like it is to always keep common sense in mind. We must avoid downloading updates from sources that are not official and not click on any link that asks us to install a tool on our computer, such as a browser extension, without first confirming that it is really something safe.
We must also have security tools . A good antivirus can prevent the entry of threats of this type that could compromise our systems. This way we will detect malicious software in the form of updates or any other program that they ask us to install.
Also, do not forget the importance of having updated equipment . But you have to update them properly. We must always download the latest versions from official and legitimate sources. We must avoid doing it from third-party sites that do not inspire guarantees and that may be a scam, as is the case with the Google alerts that we have seen and the false updates of Adobe Flash Player. Just as the router must be updated correctly, we must do it with any program or system.
Ultimately, it is essential to take care of security when browsing the net. We should always avoid installing third-party software without guarantees. Otherwise we could put our equipment at risk.
