The personal information of children is leaked by trusted institutions which can lead to identity fraud and identity theft

Sorry for the headline, but we have to get creative to get anyone to read an article on a Friday like this one, even if it is an important story.

As we enter the holidays and parents begin to rest after another hectic year of shopping for their kids, Malwarebytes Labs wants to draw some attention to a part of most children’s lives that deeply affects their online security: The education system.

Although children in the US can’t take out loans or get credit cards on their own, they can end up as victims of identity theft, which can end up being a lifelong burden in the form of bad credit ratings and even criminal records.

An old study by Experian estimated that 25 percent of children will be victims of identity fraud or theft by the time they are 18 years old. In the current system it’s even possible that a newborn gets assigned a Social Security Number (SSN) which has already been used by a criminal.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has already assigned more than half of all available SSNs and because there is no check before the number gets issued, a baby could end up getting one with a bad history.

But usually, it happens later on. According to Javelin’s 2022 Child Identity Fraud Study, approximately 1.7 million US children had their personal information exposed and potentially compromised due to data breaches in 2021.

Many of the leaked information about children comes, unsurprisingly, from the educational institutions that they visit.

Breaches in education don’t follow a pattern or affect only children. They range from leaky school apps to ransomware and from childcare to the teacher’s retirement system.

Even though the Taxpayer First Act of 2019 mandates that the IRS notify taxpayers, including parents and guardians, when there is suspected identity theft, it has been criticized for not complying with this obligation.

So, parents and guardians need to be vigilant themselves.

**How to keep an eye on your children’s identities**

There are a few things you can do.

*   Contact the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) to check if your child has a credit report. Generally, children under 18 should not have a credit report. If a report exists, it may indicate identity theft. If a credit report is found, inform the credit bureau it may be fraudulent. You may need to provide documents to credit bureaus to verify your child’s identity and your own.
*   If your child is under 16, you can request a free credit freeze to prevent new accounts from being opened in their name. This freeze remains in place until you request it to be removed. The process for getting a freeze for a minor is different than getting one for an adult. The credit bureaus give specific instructions at these three sites: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
*   Limit who you share your child’s Social Security number with and only provide it when absolutely necessary. Don’t be afraid to ask why the information is needed and how it will be protected.
*   If you suspect your child’s identity has been stolen, report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at IdentityTheft.gov. Also, contact your local law enforcement to get a police report and notify the fraud departments of companies where fraudulent accounts were opened in your child’s name.

If you want to find out what personal data of yours has been exposed online, you can use our free Digital Footprint scan. Fill in the email address you’re curious about (it’s best to submit the one you most frequently use) and we’ll send you a free report.

**We don’t just report on threats – we help safeguard your entire digital identity**

Cybersecurity risks should never spread beyond a headline. Protect your—and your family’s—personal information by using identity protection.

 Our Santa wishlist: Stronger identity security for kids 

Criminals are luring victims looking to download software and tricking them into running a malicious command.

More and more, threat actors are leveraging the browser to deliver malware in ways that can evade detection from antivirus programs. Social engineering is a core part of these schemes and the tricks we see are sometimes very clever.

Case in point, there has been an increase in attacks that involve copying a malicious command into the clipboard, only to be later pasted and executed by the victims themselves. Who would have though that copy/paste could be so dangerous?

The new campaign we observed uses a a combination of malicious ads and decoy pages for software brands, followed by a fake Cloudflare notification that instructs users to manually run a few key combinations. Unbeknownst to them, they are actually executing PowerShell code that retrieves and installs malware.

**The discovery**

Our investigation into this campaign started from a suspicious ad for ‘notepad’ while performing a Google search. Such search queries have been a hot spot for criminals who want to lure victims that are looking to download programs onto their computer.

Based on previous evidence, criminals are tricking victims into visiting a lookalike site with the goal of downloading malware. In this case, the first part was true, but what unfolded next was new to us.

When we clicked the Download button, we were redirected to a new page that appeared to be Cloudflare asking us to “_verify you are human by completing the action below_“. This type of message is more and more common, as site owners try to prevent bots and other unwanted traffic.

But rather than having to solve a CAPTCHA, we saw another unexpected message: _“Your browser does not support correct offline display of this document. Please follow the instructions below using the “Fix it” button_“.

**Powerful technique**

This technique is actually not new in itself, and similar variants have been seen both via email spam and compromised websites before. It is sometimes referred to as ClearFake or ClickFix, and requires users to perform a manual action to execute a malicious PowerShell command.

Clicking on the ‘Fix It’ button copies that command into memory (the machine’s clipboard). Of course the user has no idea what it is, and may follow the instructions that ask to press the Windows and ‘R’ key to open the Run command dialog. CTRL+V pastes that command and Enter executes it.

Once the code runs, it will download a file from a remote domain (_topsportracing\[.\]com_) within the script. We tested that payload in a sandbox and observed immediate fingerprinting:

C:\\Users\\Admin\\AppData\\Local\\Temp\\10.exe  
    C:\\Windows\\SYSTEM32\\systeminfo.exe  
        C:\\Windows\\system32\\cmd.exe  
            C:\\Windows\\system32\\cmd.exe /c "wmic computersystem get manufacturer"

The information is then sent back to a command and control server (_peter-secrets-diana-yukon\[.\]trycloudflare\[.\]com_) abusing Cloudflare tunnels:

The use of Cloudflare tunnels by criminals was previously reported by Proofpoint to deliver RATs. We weren’t able to observe a final payload but it is likely of a similar kind, perhaps an infostealer.

**Campaign targets several brands**

This was not an isolated campaign for Notepad, as we soon found additional sites with a similar lure. There was a Microsoft Teams landing page which used exactly the same trick, followed by others such as FileZilla, UltraViewer, CutePDF and Advanced IP Scanner.

Oddly, we saw a lure for a cruise booking site. We have no idea how that came to be, unless the criminals agree that everyone needs a vacation sometimes.

**Overlap with other campaigns**

As mentioned previously, this type of social engineering attack is getting more and more popular. Researchers are tracking several different families under different names such as the original SocGholish.

Interestingly, the same domain (_topsportracing\[.\]com_) we saw in the malicious PowerShell command for Notepad++ was also used recently in another campaign known as #KongTuke:

As these schemes are being increasingly used by criminals, it is important to be aware of the processes involved. The Windows key and the letter ‘R’ pressed together open the Run dialog box. This is not something that most users will ever need to do, so always think carefully whenever you are instructed to perform this.

Malwarebytes customers are protected against this attack via our web protection engine for both the malicious sites and PowerShell command.

**We don’t just report on threats—we remove them**

Cybersecurity risks should never spread beyond a headline. Keep threats off your devices by downloading Malwarebytes today.

**Indicators of Compromise**

Malicious domains

notepad-plus-plus.bonuscos\[.\]com  
microsoft.team-chaats\[.\]com  
cute-pdf\[.\]com  
ultra-viewer\[.\]com  
globalnetprotect\[.\]com  
sunsetsailcruises\[.\]com  
jam-softwere\[.\]com  
advanceipscaner\[.\]com  
filezila-project\[.\]com  
vape-wholesale-usa\[.\]com

Servers used before Cloudflare proxy

185.106.94\[.\]190  
89.31.143\[.\]90  
94.156.177\[.\]6  
141.8.192\[.\]93

Malware download URLs

hxxp\[://\]topsportracing\[.\]com/wpnot21  
hxxp\[://\]topsportracing\[.\]com/wp-s2  
hxxp\[://\]topsportracing\[.\]com/wp-s3  
hxxp\[://\]topsportracing\[.\]com/wp-25  
hxxp\[://\]chessive\[.\]com/10\[.\]exe  
hxxp\[://\]212\[.\]34\[.\]130\[.\]110/1\[.\]e

Malware C2

peter-secrets-diana-yukon\[.\]trycloudflare\[.\]com

 &#8216;Fix It&#8217; social-engineering scheme impersonates several brands 

TP-Link is being investigated for alleged predatory pricing practices, which may be driven by ulterior motives.

The US government launched a national security investigation into the popular, Chinese-owned router maker TP-Link, with a potential eye on banning the company’s devices in the United States.

The investigation comes amid heightened tension between the US and the Chinese government, and after a public letter from members of the US House of Representatives this summer that alleged that TP-Link was engaged in predatory pricing practices, driven by ulterior motives, and possibly sponsored by China. US officials noted how TP-Link undercut the competition on price to become the market leader for Small Office/Home Office (SOHO) network appliances.

In doing this, TP-Link managed to grow their market share to 60% of the US retail market for WiFi systems and SOHO routers—from 10% in 2019. And the company reportedly has almost 80% of the US retail market for WiFi 7 mesh systems.

A WiFi 7 Mesh system is the latest advancement in wireless networking, combining the features of WiFi 7 technology with the benefits of mesh networking, which uses multiple nodes that work together to provide uniform WiFi coverage throughout the home, eliminating dead zones.

Because of TP-Link’s original founding in China, claims have been made of a so-called “Huawei playbook,” referring to allegations that Huawei Technologies Co. spies for the Chinese government and that it became a dominant player in the global networking equipment sector on the back of improper state subsidies. Huawei and China both deny these allegations, though.

Nonetheless, the US imposed restrictions that make it harder for Huawei to sell equipment in the US and buy parts from American suppliers.

Perhaps because of this type of scrutiny, TP-Link has made many efforts to distance itself from its Chinese ownership. TP-Link Systems is an entity based in Irvine, California, and no longer affiliated with the Chinese TP-Link Technologies.

Part of the attention paid to TP-Link this year could also be because a Chinese-backed Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) called Volt Typhoon has been using SOHO routers as gateways to get inside sensitive infrastructure. The cybercriminals used the routers to hide the actual origin of malicious attempts to reach inside the utilities and other targets.

But that argument doesn’t make sense since many of those routers were malware-infected NetGear and Cisco SOHO devices that no longer receive updates because they have reached their End-of-Life.

TP-Link said the market share percentages were overstated, but it did recently sign deals with internet service providers (ISPs) who then supply the routers to their customers. In such deals ISPs often rebrand the routers which makes it hard for customers to know which brand and type of router they have.

Representative John Moolenaar, the co-chairman of the US House Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party—which sent the letter prompting the TP-Link probe—stayed fast in his concerns:

> “Chinese companies that, because of the technology they provide or the supply chains they impact, pose an unacceptable risk to our country’s security.”

Unfortunately, vulnerabilities in routers are very common and hardly ever patched by consumers, because they either don’t know how, or they may not even know that the patches are necessary because they don’t know which router model they have or that patches are available.

This makes it very hard to tell whether a vulnerability was an oversight or an intentional backdoor. This will make it hard for the investigators to find the “loaded gun” they are looking for.

**We don’t just report on privacy—we offer you the option to use it.**

Privacy risks should never spread beyond a headline. Keep your online privacy yours by using Malwarebytes Privacy VPN.

 TP-Link faces US national security probe, potential ban on devices 

Pallet liquidation is an attractive playing field for online scammers. Will you receive goods or get your credit card details stolen?

Pallet liquidation scams target people looking to purchase pallets of supposedly discounted merchandise, often from major retailers like Amazon.

Groups that engage in pallet liquidation sales are rampant on social media and it’s hard to discern the scammers from the legitimate ones (to be honest, I’ve always thought they were all scams, until someone told me there are legitimate ones), let alone the grey area in between.

The scams are based on the fact that many products are returned and can not be sold again for various reasons. But companies also offer overstock and out-of-season apparel for sale. Most of these companies have the first buyers sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) so when you scroll through different legitimate liquidation websites and marketplaces the origin of the pallet is almost never stated.

Depending on the reason of sale and the origin, the pallets may include a large quantity of one product or a mix of products, such as overstock or discontinued items, customer returns, or refurbished goods.

Given that the pallet liquidation market is a billion-dollar industry, it inevitably attracts scammers seeking to grab a piece of the action without putting in the work or risk.

In social media groups that specialize in pallet liquidation, you’ll find advertisements that promise valuable merchandise at significantly discounted prices, such as electronics, tools, or other high-demand items.

Facebook pallet liquidation ad

You’ll also see sponsored ads on social media about pallet sales (note: these are almost always fake).

The risk of not receiving what you have paid for is an obvious one, but some of these scammers will go the extra mile and set up fake websites where they will try and harvest payment details.

**How to steer clear of pallet liquidation scams**

If you’re really looking to try your luck at this, there are a few tips that can help you get your money’s worth.

The first thing to keep in mind is the higher up you are in the chain, the better your chances of making a profit are. It usually also means buying large quantities (I’m talking about truckloads) and larger investments. And most sellers do not have a return policy. I realize the large shipments are not for everyone, so here are some things to remember:

**Red flags:**

Unbelievable prices. The people you’re buying from are not stupid. If they are offering goods for unbelievable prices, don’t take their word for it.

Payment methods. Sellers who insist on payment methods that do not offer buyer protection are likely scammers.

Only payment options without buyer protection

Lack of manifest. Sellers that are unwilling to disclose any information about the content of a pallet shouldn’t be trusted. There is definitely a higher risk of damaged items.

Time pressure. Slogans like “Act now!” or “Only 3 left” are often used to create a false sense of urgency, hoping victims will purchase without applying the research below.

**Research the seller:**

Find **contact information** and check the validity. Legitimate liquidation sites provide clear and easily accessible contact details, including physical address, phone number, and email address. Be wary of sites that lack this information or provide vague or unreliable contact details.

Verify the **physical address** of the liquidation site through online maps or directories. A legitimate company is more likely to have a verifiable physical presence. After all, you can hardly receive these pallets in a PO box.

For a website you can use online tools to find the **domain age and registration**. Legitimate domains have a longer history so they are easier to research. New domains should be regarded as suspicious, since scammers have the habit of moving on to the next domain leaving bad reviews behind.

Check if the website is listed on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website and **review their rating and any associated complaints**. It also allows you to check how long they’ve been in business.

Do an **online search** for the name of the company and combine it with terms like “scam” or “complaint” to help you find problems others may have run into in dealing with this company.

Don’t trust **sponsored ads.** We have heard of scammers that can afford to pay millions to advertise on Meta, Google, and other platforms and still make a handsome profit.

Use **web protection** like Malwarebytes Browser Guard. It flags malicious websites and credit card skimmers that steal your information.

**Too late?**

If you suspect that your payment card details have been stolen, these are the recommended actions:

*   Regularly check account and card statements and notify your bank about any suspicious activity.
*   Where possible, set up fraud alerts with your bank or payment card provider.
*   Change the password and enable multi-factor authentication if you haven’t already.
*   Freeze your credit so nobody can open any new accounts in your name.

**We don’t just report on threats – we help safeguard your entire digital identity**

Cybersecurity risks should never spread beyond a headline. Protect your—and your family’s—personal information by using identity protection.

 Pallet liquidation scams and how to recognize them 

With AI, it's not only the sky that's the limit, it's the entire universe.

This is no secret, online criminals are leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and large language models (LLMs) in their malicious schemes. While AI tends to be abused to trick people (i.e. deepfakes) in order to gain something, sometimes, it is meant to defeat computer security programs.

With AI, this process has just become easier and we are seeing more and more cases of fake content produced for deception purposes. In the criminal underground, web pages or sites that are meant to be decoys are sometimes called “white pages,” as opposed to the “black pages” (malicious landing pages).

In this blog post, we take a look at a couple of examples where threat actors are buying Google Search ads and using AI to create white pages. The content is unique and sometimes funny if you are a real human, but unfortunately a computer analyzing the code would likely give it a green check.

**Fake-faced executives**

The first example is a phishing campaign targeting Securitas OneID. The threat actors are very cautious about avoiding detection by running ads that most of the time redirect to a completely bogus page unrelated to what one would expect, namely a phishing portal.

It did cross our minds they could very well be trolling security researchers, but if that was truly the case, why not simply go for Rick Astley’s _Never Gonna Give You Up_?

The entire site was created with AI, including the team’s faces. While in the past, criminals would go for stock photos or maybe steal a Facebook profile, now it’s easier and faster to make up your own, and it’s even copyright-free!

When Google tries to validate the ad, they will see this cloaked page with pretty unique content and there is absolutely nothing malicious with it.

**Parsec and the universe**

Our second example is another Google ad for Parsec this time, a popular remote desktop program used by gamers.

It so happens that a parsec is also an astronomical measurement unit and the threat actors (or should we say AI) went wild with it, creating a white page heavily influenced by Star Wars:

The artwork, including posters, is actually quite nice, even for a non-fan.

Once again, this cloaked content is a complete diversion which will take detection engines for a ride.

**AI vs AI: humans to the rescue**

These are just some of the many examples of AI being misused. In the early days of deepfakes, one may remember companies already training AI to detect AI.

There will naturally be content produced by AI for legitimate reasons. After all, nothing prohibits anyone from creating a website entirely with AI, simply because it’s a fun thing to do.

In the end, AI can be seen as a tool which on its own is neutral but can be placed in the wrong hands. Because it is so versatile and cheap, criminals have embraced it eagerly.

Ironically, it is quite straightforward for a real human to identify much of the cloaked content as just fake fluff. Sometimes, things just don’t add up and are simply comical. Do jokes trigger the same reaction in an AI engine as they would to a human? It doesn’t seem like it… yet.

**We don’t just report on threats—we remove them**

Cybersecurity risks should never spread beyond a headline. Keep threats off your devices by downloading Malwarebytes today.

 AI-generated malvertising &#8220;white pages&#8221; are fooling detection engines 

An online repository of screenshots where victims filled out their payment card details online was publicly accessible.

Another day, another exposed S3 bucket.

This time, 5 million US credit cards and personal details were leaked online. The Leakd.com security team discovered that 5 terabytes of sensitive screenshots were exposed in a freely accessible Amazon S3 bucket.

An S3 bucket is like a virtual file folder in the cloud where you can store various types of data, such as text files, images, videos, and more. There is no limit to the amount of data you can store in an S3 bucket, and individual instances can be up to 5 TB in size.

In this case we don’t know who’s behind the leak, although it seems clear from the screenshots that it’s a phishing operation and the credit and debit card information was exactly the data they were after. Although they probably didn’t intend to share it with the whole world.

Unfortunately, not knowing who left the data exposed makes it harder to plug the hole, but the AWS Abuse team initiated an investigation based on the information provided by Leakd.

The leaked information contains 5 terabytes of screenshots where victims filled out their details on websites that offered “free iPhones” and heavily discounted holiday gifts.

Image courtesy of Leakd.com

Looking at how those screenshots are organized, there are two possible sources.

*   Information stealers, many infostealers are capable of taking screenshots and naming them in a way that helps the attackers track and organize the stolen data.
*   Phishing using websites that were especially set up for this task. This seems to most likely scenario, because of the content of the screenshots.

As Leakd.com describes it:

> “The leaked screenshots often featured instances of users entering personal and financial details into seemingly innocent promotional forms.”

Image courtesy of Leakd.com

**What do I need to do?**

Stolen payment card details are bad enough, as they can be used for financial fraud, identity theft, and cause privacy issues.

The timing just weeks before Christmas makes it even worse. It is hard enough to keep track of your own spending for some of us, let alone when a criminal decides to spend some of our money. And having to cancel your payment card because someone else might use it is most inconvenient right now.

But if you suspect that your payment card details have been stolen, these are the recommended actions:

*   Regularly check account and card statements and notify your bank about any suspicious activity.
*   Where possible, set up fraud alerts with your bank or payment card provider.
*   Change the password and enable multi-factor authentication if you haven’t already.
*   Freeze your credit so nobody can open any new accounts in your name.

If you don’t want to become a victim of these cybercriminals:

*   Don’t get phished. Be aware of the signs and don’t respond to unsolicited emails and texts.
*   Shy away from sites making too-good-to-be-true offers.
*   Use web protection like Malwarebytes Browser Guard. It flags malicious websites and credit card skimmers that steal your information.

**We don’t just report on threats – we help safeguard your entire digital identity**

Cybersecurity risks should never spread beyond a headline. Protect your—and your family’s—personal information by using identity protection.

 5 million payment card details stolen in painful reminder to monitor Christmas spending 

Task scams are a new type of scams where victims are slowly tricked into paying to get paid for repetitive simple tasks

An unfamiliar type of scam has surged against everyday people, with a year-over-year increase of some 400%, putting job seekers at risk of losing their time and money.

The emerging threat is delivered in “task scams” or “gamified job scams.” While these scams were virtually non-existent in 2020, the FTC reported 5,000 cases in 2023 and a whopping 20,000 cases in the first half of 2024.

In these scams, online criminals prey on people looking for remote jobs by offering them simple repetitive tasks such as liking videos, optimizing apps, boosting product interest, or rating product images. These tasks are usually organized in sets of 40 tasks that will take the victim to a “next level” once they are completed.

Sometimes the victim will get a so-called double task that earns a bigger commission. The trick is that the scammers will make the victim think they are earning money to raise trust in the system. The money can be fake and only displayed in the system, but some victims report actually receiving small sums.

But at some point, the scammers will tell the victims, they have to make a deposit to get the next set of tasks or get your earnings out of the app. So, victims are likely to make that deposit, or all their work will have been for naught.

Scammers use cryptocurrency like USDT (a digital stable-coin with a value tied to the value of the US dollar) to make their payments.

Task scams typically begin with unsolicited text messages or messages via platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, or other messaging apps. These messages often come from unknown numbers or profiles that may appear professional to gain trust. Reportedly, these scams like to impersonate legitimate companies such as Deloitte, Amazon, McKinsey and Company, and Airbnb.

Scammers count on the urge that victims do not want to “cut their losses” and will try to pull victims in even deeper, sometimes inviting them into groups where newcomers can learn and hear success stories from (fake) experienced workers.

**How to avoid task scams**

Once you know the red flags, it is easier to shy away from task scams.

*   Do not respond to unsolicited job offers via text messages or messaging apps.
*   Never pay to get paid.
*   Verify the legitimacy of the employer through official channels.
*   Don’t trust anyone who offer to pay for something illegal such as rating or liking things online.

It’s also important to keep in mind that legitimate employers do not ask employees to pay for the opportunity to work. And as with most scams, if it sound to good to be true, it probably is.

If you run into a task scam, please report them to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

 Task scams surge by 400%, but what are they? 

This week on the Lock and Code podcast, we speak with Ron de Jesus about the work of achieving user privacy while balancing company goals.

_This week on the Lock and Code podcast…_

Privacy is many things for many people.

For the teenager suffering from a bad breakup, privacy is the ability to stop sharing her location and to block her ex on social media. For the political dissident advocating against an oppressive government, privacy is the protection that comes from secure, digital communications. And for the California resident who wants to know exactly how they’re being included in so many targeted ads, privacy is the legal right to ask a marketing firm how they collect their data.

In all these situations, privacy is being provided to a person, often by a company or that company’s employees.

The decisions to disallow location sharing and block social media users are made—and implemented—by people. The engineering that goes into building a secure, end-to-end encrypted messaging platform is done by people. Likewise, the response to someone’s legal request is completed by either a lawyer, a paralegal, or someone with a career in compliance.

In other words, privacy, for the people who spend their days with these companies, is _work_. It’s their expertise, their career, and their to-do list.

But what does that work actually entail?

Today, on the Lock and Code podcast with host David Ruiz, we speak with Transcend Field Chief Privacy Officer Ron de Jesus about the responsibilities of privacy professionals today and how experts balance the privacy of users with the goals of their companies.

De Jesus also explains how everyday people can meaningfully judge whether a company’s privacy “promises” have any merit by looking into what the companies provide, including a legible privacy policy and “just-in-time” notifications that ask for consent for any data collection as it happens.

> “When companies provide these really easy-to-use controls around my personal information, that’s a really great trigger for me to say, hey, this company, really, is putting their money where their mouth is.”

Tune in today to listen to the full conversation.

_Show notes and credits:_

Intro Music: “Spellbound” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)  
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License  
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/  
Outro Music: “Good God” by Wowa (unminus.com)

**Listen up—Malwarebytes doesn’t just talk cybersecurity, we provide it.**

Protect yourself from online attacks that threaten your identity, your files, your system, and your financial well-being with our exclusive offer for Malwarebytes Premium for Lock and Code listeners.

 A day in the life of a privacy pro, with Ron de Jesus (Lock and Code S05E26) 

A list of topics we covered in the week of December 9 to December 15 of 2024

December 13, 2024 - Care1, a Canadian healthcare solutions provider left a cloud storage instance freely accessible and unencrypted for anyone to find.

December 12, 2024 - Apple has released security patches for most of its operating systems, including iOS, Mac, iPadOS, Safari, and visionOS.

December 12, 2024 - Senators introduced a bill to stop data brokers from trading in health and location data and enable the FTC to enforce the new rules

December 10, 2024 - TikTok has requested an emergency injunction to stop or postpone the planned ban on the platform in the US.

December 9, 2024 - Authorities were able to intercept the Matrix messaging service’s traffic and monitor criminal activity for three months.

 A week in security (December 9 &#8211; December 15) 

A fraudulent Google ad meant to phish employees for their login credentials redirects them to a fake browser update page instead.

On December 15, we detected a malicious campaign targeting Kaiser Permanente employees via Google Search Ads. The fraudulent ad masquerades as the health care company’s HR portal used to check for benefits, download paystubs and other corporate related tasks.

We believe the threat actors’ intent was to phish KP employees for their login credentials, but something unexpected happened. Instead, victims who clicked on the ad were redirected to a compromised website that prompted them to update their browser.

This notification is part of a malware campaign known as SocGholish that tricks users into running a script supposedly meant to update their browser. Rather, it infects machines and if the victim is deemed important enough, a human operator will gain access in order to perform nefarious actions.

In this blog post, we review how this attack unfolds and why a compromised website derailed the attackers’ plan. We already reported the malicious ad to Google.

Several criminal gangs are currently abusing Google Ads to phish victims of various large companies. They prey on employees simply googling for their HR portal so that they can display a malicious ad to lure them in.

Case in point, when searching for Kaiser Permanente’s HR portal, we saw the following ad:

We were able to identify the advertiser who registered a fake account under the name ‘Heather Black’. This ad was only showed for U.S.-based searches, as can be seen in the Google Ads Transparency Center report:

**Former company’s website hijacked for phishing**

The displayed url shown in the ad (_https://www.bellonasoftware\[.\]com_) does not look associated with Kaiser Permanente. According to LinkedIn, Bellona Software was a company based in Romania. We can see what their website looked like in 2021, using the Internet Archive:

Sometimes more recently, this same website was taken over by criminals who transformed it into a phishing page for Kaiser Permanente:

**Malicious redirect to SocGholish**

It looks like there was more than one cook in the kitchen, as malicious code was also injected in the core JavaScript libraries for that website, confirmed in a scan by Sucuri’s SiteCheck:

When potential victims clicked on the ad, they landed on that compromised website, which in turn briefly displayed the phishing template only for as long as a mouse scroll or click. Then, a new screen appeared with what looks like a Google Chrome notification claiming the user’s browser is out of date:

This screen, also known as SocGholish, is a long running malware campaign that targets vulnerable websites indiscriminately. When a user executes the downloaded _Update.js_ file, they are instead running a malicious script that will collect some of their computer’s information and relay it to a group of criminals. After this fingerprinting takes place, additional tooling such as Cobalt Strike may be downloaded, preparing the ground for a _human on keyboard_ type of attack.

To the best of our knowledge, the phishing campaign has nothing to do with SocGholish, and we assume that the original threat actors did not anticipate for the website they took over to be compromised. As for the gang behind SocGholish, the victims would come from a Google search, something they usually check for via the referer.

**Protecting against web threats**

For victims, neither the phishing scheme nor the malware are a happy outcome. While initially targeted because of what they searched for, they fell into the hands of a different criminal syndicate.

Such is the reality of web threats. This is a dynamic and ever changing landscape with a number of malicious players trying to lure users in their own way.

Online ads, and in particular search ads, continue to be a threat. As we have showed many times on this blog, any brand is at risk of being impersonated. Unfortunately, this trend has continued unabated throughout 2024.

At the same time, ‘old’ malware campaigns like SocGholish pose a risk due to a never ending number of outdated websites ready to be compromised and act as a springboard for malware delivery.

When searching online, we urge to use extreme caution with any sponsored results and if possible add protection to your online browsing experience with tools like Malwarebytes Browser Guard.

We reported the malicious ad to Google and will update this blog if we hear anything back.

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**Indicators of Compromise**

Phishing site

bellonasoftware\[.\]com

SocGholish infrastructure

premium\[.\]davidabostic\[.\]com  
riders\[.\]50kfor50years\[.\]com

Source

Malwarebytes