It’s on! The battle between social engineering attacks and Google has begun. Of course, all Google wants is to protect its users.
Google’s Safe Browsing initiative have been protecting loads of people from sleazy websites and phishing attacks for 8 years. Last November, they announced that Safe browsing would protect us from social engineering attacks as well. Thanks Google, how thoughtful!
What Are Social Engineering Attacks?
These are the deceptive tactics that trick users into clicking a button or image which installs unwanted software or make users reveal personal information, such as passwords, phone numbers, or credit card information.
These deceptive embedded content are those that disguise like a trusted entity which tries to lure users into making a horrible mistake. They pose as trusted images which make them dangerously deceitful. Here are some examples of deceptive content.
Those that mimics a dialogue from FLV software developer: Install button
Those claiming that your software is out of date: Update button
And in most file-sharing and streaming sites: download button and play button.
How many times have you clicked on those only to be redirected to harmful sites which push unwanted software downloads and updates or offers subscription traps, job-opportunityand quick money making schemes. Don’t worry, you are not alone. These fake buttons blend in and are often not recognizable from the rest of the page. They mimic the site’s look.
Thankfully Google, in their newest announcement titled “No More Deceptive Download Buttons“, said that they would be expanding Safe Browsing protection and would be targeting all those issues mentioned above.
While under the protection of Google, those users who use Chrome browser who encounters social engineering attacks will be presented with an image having this kind of message.
Google will flag down websites that contain social engineering content. This protection will create a much safer browsing experience and will protect users from frustration, bad advertisers, scammers, and maybe even viruses.
