Billions of Chrome users across the globe are being urged to be on the lookout for a fake browser-breaking update that's spreading across the globe. This latest attack tries to trick users into downloading an important upgrade but instead of adding new features and fixing issues it actually installs nasty malware instead.
The urgent alert has been issued by the team at Trend Micro with the security experts spotting the attack in the wild and showing why some have been easily tricked.
The attack is activated once a Chrome user clicks on a bogus website with an error message instantly appearing which suggests an urgent upgrade is needed to continue browsing.
However, as soon as the user clicks the update button, they end up downloading a ZIP file that contains something called a Monero miner.
Once installed, this bug sets about using a PC's processing power to mine cryptocurrency for the attackers.
This is a serious issue as, once infected, devices can become sluggish and unresponsive due to malware drawing too much power from the processor.
Experts warn that the virus could also steal sensitive information from laptops, such as log-in credentials and financial data, putting personal information and finances at risk.
Aside from wreaking havoc on PCs, this malware could also make computers more susceptible to further attacks by changing system settings and weakening security measures.
“Google Chrome users who use the browser regularly should be wary of a new attack campaign that distributes malware by posing as a Google Chrome update error message,” explained Trend Micro.
“The attack campaign has been operational since February 2023 and has a large impact area.”
If you are concerned about this latest attack then there are some ways to protect yourself.
To avoid falling into the trap of these cyber hackers, the Trend Micro’s experts suggest that you should:
• Always exercise caution when you download anything from unknown sources, and only download software from trusted websites.
• Make sure that your operating system, whether its Windows or Mac, and your software is up to date with the latest security updates. For Google Chrome users, use the built-in update feature by clicking Help and selecting About Chrome.
• Experts advise that you stay informed about the latest threats out there, along with the best practices to protect yourself. One way to do that is to check our page regularly for updates.
Lastly, they suggest installing antivirus software like Trend Micro Maximum Security that can help detect and remove threats before they cause damage.
