IT Security Bulletin: Fake CAPTCHA Pages Distributing Malware
Cybercriminals are deploying deceptive CAPTCHA pages to trick users into executing malicious commands, leading to malware infections. These fraudulent CAPTCHAs often appear on compromised or malicious websites, masquerading as legitimate verification steps.
What Are Fake CAPTCHAs?
CAPTCHAs are typically used to distinguish humans from bots by presenting challenges like selecting images or checking a box. However, attackers are now creating counterfeit CAPTCHA pages that prompt users to perform actions such as:
- Pressing Win + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Pressing Ctrl + V to paste clipboard contents.
- Pressing Enter to execute the pasted command.
These steps can execute malicious code, compromising your device and personal data.
How to Identify a Fake CAPTCHA
- Unusual Requests: Legitimate CAPTCHAs will never ask you to execute system commands or paste text into system dialogs.
- Sensitive Information: Be wary if a CAPTCHA requests login credentials, payment details, or other personal information.
- Unexpected Appearances: CAPTCHAs appearing on sites where they're not typically required should raise suspicion.
What to Do If You Encounter One
- Do Not Interact: Avoid following any instructions presented by the suspicious CAPTCHA.
- Close the Browser: Immediately close your browser to prevent further interaction.
- Report the Incident: Contact IT Security at itsecurity@okanagan.bc.ca to report the suspicious activity.
Staying Safe Online
- Verify URLs: Ensure you're visiting legitimate websites by checking the URL.
- Keep Software Updated: Regularly update your operating system and applications to protect against known vulnerabilities.
- Avoid Anything Suspicious: Be cautious of unexpected prompts or unusual requests, especially on unfamiliar websites.
By staying vigilant and informed, you can protect yourself and the 91¾«Æ·ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï community from these emerging threats.