5 words or phrases you should never google – to avoid getting hacked

Google seems harmless, but what you search on Google can put you at risk of becoming a victim of a hacker.

Cyber ​​security experts have revealed common words and phrases you should never google if you want to avoid being hacked.

It comes after cyber security company Sophos issued an urgent warning on its website, urging people not to type six words into their search engines: “Are Bengal cats legal in Australia? “

Jake Moore, global cybersecurity advisor at ESET, explained to the Daily Mail that a technique called “SEO poisoning” allows cybercriminals to use Google search results to trick unknowing victims into clicking on websites they scan in an attempt to weaken the computer’s security.

“SEO poisoning is a tactic used by cybercriminals to manipulate search engine results and then direct users to malicious websites that often look genuine,” he said.

“When users click on these links, they are taken to sites that expose them to malicious programs that are often instantly downloaded, which can compromise computer security and potentially lead to data theft or device infections.”

Here are five words and phrases you should avoid entering into Google to avoid the risk of being hacked:

Customer service numbers

Doing a quick Google search is an easy way to find a company’s customer service phone number, but scammers often buy ads to appear at the top of search results to trick unsuspecting people. .

These scammers will provide deceptive links and phone numbers that ultimately connect the user to them and not the company they are trying to reach.

“They get these calls, sometimes hundreds every day, and they convincingly impersonate a technician,” Ben Van Pelt, founder of cybersecurity company TorGuard, explained to Indy100.

To avoid this, experts suggest skipping the ads and going directly to the company’s website to get their contact information.

Searches to earn money

Fraudsters will take advantage of people who are struggling financially and looking for “easy loans” with false advertisements for easy, instant loans.

“Instead of turning to Google for financial help, look for financial services from reputable banks and lenders,” Van Pelt advised.

Likewise, looking for “quick money schemes”, which often promise “investment opportunities”, will usually lead to a pyramid scheme.

“Avoid getting caught in pyramid schemes. For investment opportunities, always consult a reputable broker or financial advisor,” he said.

Searching for “high paying remote jobs” and “free credit reports” is also dangerous.

“When looking for work, stick to popular job websites and official career pages of reputable companies to minimize the risk of dealing with scammers,” Van Pelt said.

Google Authenticator

Some cybercriminals will try to imitate actual products. In June, cybersecurity researchers from Malwarebytes said fraudsters were targeting users looking for the Google Authenticator app.

The app requires the user to sign in to secure services and provide two-factor authentication, but Malwarebytes found that hackers purchased ads to promote what appeared to be a legitimate link to the app.

However, on these fake links, the person who clicks “download” ends up installing malware designed to rob a device of personal data.

“The core issue with brand impersonation comes from ads appearing to be from official sources and advertiser identities verified by Google,” Malwarebytes’ Jérô´me Segura wrote in a blog post.

“We have to keep in mind that Google Authenticator is a well-known and trusted multi-factor authentication tool, so there is some irony that potential victims would be put at risk as they try to improve their security posture.”

Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire

Cybercriminals are also known to target certain individuals and groups of people.

Researchers at Menlo Security were investigating a malware campaign called SolarMarker when they discovered that the extremely specific phrase “Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire” was one of those that had been compromised.

The search led to links to PDF files that are automatically downloaded to the computer with downloaded viruses hidden on the page.

“She [SEO poisoning] it’s often hard to spot, but it will typically be used specifically for people who use Google to search for documents and PDFs instead of web pages,” Moore explained. “Suspicious links will be inserted so that they are automatically downloaded without your knowledge.”

If something is downloaded, he advises not to click on the file. Instead, remove it and run a virus scan “for peace of mind”.

Viagra online

Cybersecurity experts warn to be careful when searching for Viagra or similar products online, so you don’t fall victim to a “pharmacology hack.”

This hack involves fraudsters breaking into vulnerable WordPress websites and placing links to fake sites advertising knockoff versions of branded pharmaceutical products.

“By doing this, people actually believe they are clicking on a legitimate website that sells legitimate pharmaceuticals,” explained researchers from SolidWP.

Once someone is brought to the site, scammers can trick them into giving out personal information and even sell them fake pharmaceuticals that can be harmful to someone’s health.