Anyone who uses Google's Chrome internet browser has been issued an urgent warning as internet fraudsters are now trying to hack devices with bogus updates.
What may appear to be a legitimate browser update could actually be a malware-filled package which could give criminals access to your vital and private information. This could also cause your computer to become much slower and less responsive as they hijack the device to be used as a cryptocurrency miner.
Security experts at Trend Micro issued the urgent warning, as it is being disguised as an official Google update in an attempt to trick unsuspecting users, reports the Mirror.
"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."
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..
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 uses a PC's processing power to mine cryptocurrency for the attackers.
As well as become sluggish and unresponsive, the experts warn that this could make your device more susceptible to other cyber attacks.
And the Monero miner attack may also steal sensitive information from laptops, such as log-in credentials and financial data, putting personal information and finances at risk - although this is yet to be confirmed.
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