This Malware Posed as an Official Google App in Search Results—Here’s What You Need to Know
Today, users face online threats from various sources, not just through phishing emails, but also via SMS, WhatsApp messages, and even something as seemingly safe as using Google’s search engine.
Malwarebytes, a cybersecurity research firm, recently uncovered a malicious ad in Google’s search results that claimed to offer a download link for the Google Authenticator app. What makes this particularly alarming is that the ad was disguised as an official Google promotion, leading many people to unwittingly download malware.
If you recently tried to download the popular Google Authenticator through a Google search, you may have unknowingly installed malware.
How the Scam Operated
Google often places sponsored links at the top of its search results. Unfortunately, users who clicked on what appeared to be a legitimate link for Google Authenticator may have downloaded a malicious file instead.
The fraudulent ad directed users to download a clone of Authenticator containing a malware known as DeerStealer. This fake app was from a developer that was even verified by Google, making it seem trustworthy.
Malwarebytes tested the suspicious link and found that it redirected users through several intermediary domains controlled by the attacker before landing on a fake Authenticator site. When users clicked the download button on this fake site, a pop-up window initiated the download of malware onto their computers.
Google’s Response and Potential Risks
Upon being alerted by Malwarebytes, Google quickly removed the ad. However, it’s likely that many users could have already been affected.
Google has stated that the attacker created thousands of accounts to evade detection, altering URLs and site content using cloaking software. This software presented different information to Google’s reviewers than what end-users saw.
The Dangers of DeerStealer Malware
If DeerStealer has been installed on a victim’s computer, it puts all their passwords and banking information at risk.
If you downloaded Google Authenticator through a Google search in recent days, it’s crucial to delete the app, run a comprehensive antivirus scan, and change all your important passwords, especially for banking services.
A Google spokesperson commented, "We prohibit ads that try to evade our enforcement by disguising the advertiser’s identity to deceive users and distribute malware. When we identify ads that violate our policies, we remove them and suspend the associated advertiser account as quickly as possible, as we did in this case."
Google is still investigating this issue to prevent similar incidents in the future.
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