Security News > 2022 > June > Poisoned CCleaner search results spread information-stealing malware
Malware that steals your passwords, credit cards, and crypto wallets is being promoted through search results for a pirated copy of the CCleaner Pro Windows optimization program.
The malware distributed in this campaign is a powerful information stealer that can harvest personal data and cryptocurrency assets and route internet traffic through data-snatching proxies.
The threat actors follow Black Hat SEO techniques to rank their malware-distribution websites high in Google Search results so that more people will be tricked into downloading laced executables.
The poisoned search results take the victim through several websites that ultimately display a landing page offering a ZIP file download. This landing page is commonly hosted on a legitimate file hosting platform like filesend.
The malware victims are tricked into installing attempts to steal information stored in web browsers, like account passwords, saved credit cards, and cryptocurrency wallet credentials.
The campaign is already widespread, and the infection rates are high, so avoid downloading cracked software from anywhere, even if the download sites rank high on Google Search.