Beware if your computer asks you to update Chrome! A false alert is circulating at the moment about malware responsible for stealing all your personal data and emptying your bank account!
If, while you are leisurely browsing the Internet, you come across a page inviting you to update Google Chrome, do not click on it! You could very well infect your device with a dreaded virus. A new report from researchers at cybersecurity company eSentire highlights a new malicious campaign that has been rampant for several weeks, which aims to infect your devices with personal data-stealing viruses (data info stealers in the jargon).
In this new campaign, it all starts when you visit a website containing infected JavaScript code that redirects you to a corrupted page telling you that your version of Chrome is outdated and urging you to update immediately. Thinking you’re doing the right thing, you click on the link provided and download an Update.zip file, which installs several malware on your computer. You are made like a rat!
Because the malware that gets installed is very dangerous. They steal, among other things, usernames, passwords, credit card numbers, login history and crypto wallet data, and transmit this sensitive information to a server controlled by the hackers and pave the way for remote control of your device. The horror !
To avoid unpleasant surprises, be careful when installing updates or new applications. Beware of pop-ups asking you to install an app or update and only use legitimate and safe sources like the Google Play Store to install or update your apps.
In the case of Chrome, it is the app itself which notifies you of available updates with a small message at the top right, under your profile icon. And you can check at any time if you’re up to date by clicking the three little dots, then choosing Help, then About Google Chrome from the drop-down menu. You will be sure to have the real official version!