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Another day, another tech support scam – This scam aims at freezing Internet browsers and trick users into calling tech support scam where scammers try stealing personal data.
A new scam campaign has been discovered by Malwarebytes researchers that targets the most reliable internet browsers in the world including Google Chrome Firefox and Brave. The campaign involves sending of a fake error message that contains malicious coding and leads to locking up the browser. According to Malwarebytes’ lead intelligence analyst Jerome Segura, the bug in the error message renders the browser “unresponsive” and makes the Windows OS “unstable” if it is allowed to run for a specific time period.
When the browser is locked by the malicious code hidden in the fake warning, the message then attempts to deceive the user into calling a certain number. The call is received by a person who poses as the representative of a well-known firm such as American Technology firm, and requests for personal or financial information for fixing the problem. Then the real problem for the user begins because once the threat actors receive the required personal or financial information, they can carry out all sorts of scams and gain full control of the computer.
Risk-Based Security’s executive VP Inga Goddijn explains: “These messages are purposely designed to cause fear and provoke users into turning over sensitive information or in some cases even control of their computer. From there, the scammers really are in the driver’s seat.”
The whole idea behind this campaign is to make a browser unusable to such an extent that user is left with no other choice but to seek support. The fake error message informs the user about a security breach due to which the browser has become unresponsive and exiting the website doesn’t resolve the issue. Naturally, the user will start panicking and would eventually provide the required data to get back the control of browser or the device.
To read the original article:
https://www.hackread.com/tech-support-scam-freezes-chrome-firefox-brave-browser/
