Cybersecurity alert: Hackers using ‘SEO Poisoning’ to steal personal info from google searches

UK-based cybersecurity company Sophos has issued a serious alert that hackers are now targeting users who enter a combination of phrases into their computer's search engine, according to The New York Times.

The company advised individuals not to enter six specific keywords into search engines, as doing so increases the risk of a cyberattack.

According to the study, those who Google the phrase "Are Bengal Cats legal in Australia?" have allegedly had their personal information exposed online after clicking on a link that appears at the top of the search results.

Sophos warned, saying, "Victims are often enticed into clicking on malicious adware or links disguised as legitimate marketing, or in this case, a legitimate Google search."

The warning added that individuals from Australia are especially vulnerable to these intrusions, as hackers appear to be specifically targeting those who include the word "Australia" in their searches.

According to Sophos, customers' bank account information and personal details are stolen by a program called Gootloader once they click on the search result that appears at the top and seems authentic.

Reports state that hackers use malware to steal data and even take over users' devices. Malware is software specifically designed to damage computers, networks, and devices.

Malware is classified into several categories, including trojan horses, bots, viruses, worms, ransomware (which locks users out of their systems unless they pay a ransom), and more.

Additionally, this software has the power to lock users out of their computers.

Although the term "Bengal cats" may seem specialized, the cybersecurity firm asserted that users don’t need to type anything malicious to be vulnerable to these attacks and have their personal data stolen and shared online.

Cyber thieves are now utilizing a technique known as "SEO poisoning" to manipulate otherwise clean and harmless Google searches.

The method has been described as an "insidious technique in which criminals manipulate search engine results to push websites they control to the top of the page."

Sophos advised anyone who may have been a victim of SEO poisoning to change their passwords immediately and strengthen their security systems.