State security authorities have discovered that criminals are conducting extensive illegal activities, such as obtaining website permissions and stealing sensitive documents, by adding malicious modules to search results, thereby threatening national security.
A case study revealed that an employee of a company inadvertently accessed a fake page, meticulously crafted by an overseas hacker organization, while searching for a commonly used operations software through a search engine. The employee downloaded and ran software containing malicious programs, leading to the theft of sensitive data from the computer.
Investigations showed that the company was responsible for the construction and maintenance of information systems and websites for several critical units. The foreign hacker group illegally obtained information such as website login credentials and attempted unauthorized access to the backend systems of important domestic units' information systems and websites, with the intent to steal internal sensitive materials and data. Fortunately, state security agencies identified and neutralized the threat in time.
State security authorities advise that adopting a few good habits can significantly reduce risks.
Verify identity information: Search engine rankings do not equate to security certification. When reviewing search results, it is essential to carefully check the URL. Legitimate websites typically start with "https," display a security lock icon in the browser's address bar, and have concise, standardized domain names without random characters or misspellings.
Beware of free traps: Software labeled as "cracked versions," "green versions," or "ad-free versions" are often hotspots for malicious links. Avoid clicking on them whenever possible. If software download is necessary, it is best to manually enter the official website address to access the correct and secure official site for downloading.
Maintain immune protection: Installing endpoint security protection software is a necessary measure to safeguard computer and personal information security. Keep device systems and antivirus software updated, enable real-time monitoring, and promptly update browsers, operating systems, and various software patches. If encountering forced page redirects, frequent pop-ups, or abnormal permission requests, immediately close and exit without performing any click operations.