Google Chrome Web Browser Malicious Update and Download Websites June 2013
Beware of messages with a link to Google Chrome web browser updates or download in emails, Facebook posts, Tweets, or online advertisements. These messages claim that you can download Google Chrome, download an updated version of Google Chrome, download a Google Chrome security patch, or download some form of Google Chrome add-on or extension. Hackers and scammers are using these methods of communication to trick persons into downloading malwares masquerading as Google Chrome from fake websites.
Never click on anything to update your Google Chrome web browser; the browser will update itself automatically.
I have gotten a few calls from persons who have seen the advertisement below and thought it was a legitimate Google Chrome download link and clicked on it to install the Google Chrome web browser.
The bogus advertisement is located at the following website:
http://d22l7r8f5ybwxn.cloudfront.net/3b/3a/3/chrome /index2.html
If you click on the link, your web browser will download the following file: Chrome_Setup.exe
After installing the program, they got more that what they had asked for. They did not just get the Google Chrome web browser installed on their computers; they also got rogue toolbars, web browser hijackers, and other unwanted programs that constantly displayed annoying popup windows.
The file "Chrome_Setup.exe" was scanned and the following adware threats were detected:
- ApplicUnwnt.Win32.AdWare.iBryte.H
- a variant of Win32/Adware.iBryte.G
- Win32.SuspectCrc
- not-a-virus:AdWare.Win32.Agent.aece
- Win32.HeurC.KVM019.a.(kcloud)
- Agent.ASWDM
- iBryte Optimum Installer
- Adware.OptimusInstaller.26607
- Optimum Installer (fs)
But, these annoying programs are the least of their worries. If they had downloaded a virus, Trojan or spyware, they would have been in serious trouble. This is because these programs are used to steal personal information, credit card information, or online account user names and passwords for your email accounts, online banking and others.
Again, never click on anything to update your Google Chrome web browser; the browser will update itself automatically. Or, if you want to install Google Chrome on you computer, please go to the website: http://www.google.com/chrome/
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Note: Some of the information in samples on this website may have been impersonated or spoofed.