In the digital age, where online searches are the norm, even the simplest enquiries can put you at risk.
Sophisticated artificial intelligence scams lurk behind seemingly harmless search engine queries, exploiting something called “search engine optimisation” to trick users, experts advise. Guidepoint SecurityIt highlights how cybercriminals manipulate these systems.
Woman searching online (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutson)
How Google Search Fraud Works
These scammers buy ads to get their fake websites, cleverly disguised as trustworthy sites, to appear at the top of search results.
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Take “PayPal” for example. At first glance, it may look promising, but closer inspection reveals it to be a scam. Ads promising secure account access may redirect you to fraudulent sites designed to cleverly mimic PayPal login pages, but their true purpose is to steal your money and personal information.
The sophistication of the scams requires more than just standard precautions like spotting spelling mistakes: fraudsters have evolved along with technology, and some schemes, such as a deliberately distorted “U” that looks like a horseshoe, are clever enough to trick the untrained eye into clicking.
Another disturbing example was for “Quicken tech support” – the top “sponsored” search result promised 24-hour support but didn’t link to Quicken’s actual website, showing just how deceptive such links can be.
Even when these fraudulent ads are flagged and removed, new ones often pop up in their place, perpetuating the digital game of cat and mouse.
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SEO search illustration (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutson)
‘Unsubscribe’ Email Scam Targets Americans
4 ways to protect yourself from Google search fraud
1) Bookmark or Save the URLs of frequently visited sitesSecurity should be stepped up especially on social media and financial platforms to avoid fake pages.
2) Always Enter the website address directly Type it into your browser’s address bar. Do not click on the link.
3) Select Use Official App It comes from a reputable company, which adds an extra layer of security and reliability.
4) Daily Run antivirus Remove ad-generating malware across all your devices.
What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)?
Google search engine image (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutson)
Confessions of victims who were deceived by cybercriminals
If you notice any fraudulent advertisements, run a reliable antivirus immediately.
SEO search fraud often occurs when scammers place ads in search results, but other sources of this type of fraud include: From malware They can display fraudulent ads on your device or compromise your browser extensions, so if you spot any of these scam ads in your searches or on websites, immediately run a reliable antivirus protection software to identify and remove them.
For example, when you type in “Lowes,” you might see what appears to be the official site at the top of the search results. However, this could lead you to a malicious site that appears legitimate. By the time you realize it’s fake, sensitive information may have already been exposed.
The best way to protect yourself from clicking on malicious links that install malware that can access your personal information is to install antivirus protection on all your devices. Phishing emails or Ransomware scam.
Get our picks for the best antivirus protection in 2024 for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices
Woman working on a laptop (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutson)
Protect yourself from tech support scams
Important points about the cart
Google has been effective at removing most of these, SEO scam adsSome people manage to sneak in before they get caught, and it’s up to us to protect ourselves by arming ourselves with the tools we need to avoid being caught. We need to stay vigilant and informed to safely navigate the online world and protect ourselves from the ever-evolving threats posed by cyber crooks.
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