Google search to warn people of malware on their systems
Summary
Google announced it is instituting a malware warning system on its search results page to alert users to the possibility that their computer is infected.
Topics
Google announced on Tuesday it is instituting a malware warning system on its search results page to alert users to the possibility that their computer is infected. The internet giant said it took the action after discovering unusual patterns of activity on the web that it identified as a strain of malware that causes infected computers to send traffic to Google through proxy servers.
"Recently, we found some unusual search traffic while performing routine maintenance on one of our data centers," Damian Menscher, a Google security engineer, said in a blog post. "After collaborating with security engineers at several companies that were sending this modified traffic, we determined that the computers exhibiting this behavior were infected with a particular strain of malicious software, or 'malware'."
Google said that as a result of its discovery, some users who come to Google through these specific intermediary servers will see a prominent notification at the top of their web search results warning them of a possible infection.
For more on this story, read Google adds malware warning to search results on CNET News.
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So how long do you think it will be before this is hacked? Not very long I'm guessing.
@Rdewey
from companies that sell malware removal software, or linking then to their own ChromeOS website
Something tells me that every computer using Google search will be found to have "malware on it".
from companies that sell malware removal software, or linking then to their own ChromeOS website
Something tells me that every computer using Google search will be found to have "malware on it".
@William Pharaoh
Dont want Malware go Linux like I did!!
Dont want Malware go Linux like I did!!
Won't be long before the phishers and scammers replicate this.
While it would be a warning from a reputable source--as opposed to all of the "OMG HAXX DETECTED! CLICK HERE TO CLEAN 'EM!" malware messages that somehow manage to trick a /lot/ of users--it wouldn't be that hard to format your own malicious "faux warning" to copycat the Google one and invariably trip up less savvy users.
I always tell people I know to ignore any and all malware warnings (that aren't coming from your own trusted security software) and just close that tab/window. Period.
I always tell people I know to ignore any and all malware warnings (that aren't coming from your own trusted security software) and just close that tab/window. Period.
@SenorAlejandro
Exactly what I was thinking, with so many fake virus/malware warnings that sometimes look very convincing how would the average user be able to tell the difference? Better to just close the browser as soon as these kind of warnings pop up and run something like Malwarebytes or Kaspersky VRT to be safe.
Exactly what I was thinking, with so many fake virus/malware warnings that sometimes look very convincing how would the average user be able to tell the difference? Better to just close the browser as soon as these kind of warnings pop up and run something like Malwarebytes or Kaspersky VRT to be safe.
What else will google be searching for on my computer?
@roy@...
Read the article more carefully. They aren't scanning computers they're analyzing the traffic hitting their servers.
Read the article more carefully. They aren't scanning computers they're analyzing the traffic hitting their servers.
Just another example of Google using it's browser to hack into people's private computer's and networks.
Anyone who trusts Google to have the user's best interests in mind has to be hopelessly naive.
I'm wondering what the quid pro quo is that google will expect/demand in return for their "enhanced browsing experience."
Anyone who trusts Google to have the user's best interests in mind has to be hopelessly naive.
I'm wondering what the quid pro quo is that google will expect/demand in return for their "enhanced browsing experience."
@DaveDean
Did you even read the article? First, this is NOT dependent on which browser you use. Second, they are NOT hacking into anyone's computer. They are simply analyzing traffic that YOU send to THEIR servers. Third, I would imagine Google will "expect/demand" the same thing they do for using their search engine.
Whatever sins Google may or may not have committed, in this case they're simply trying to combat a piece of malware that they discovered. Please, take your tin hat off for a second (it is apparently interfering with your reading comprehension).
Did you even read the article? First, this is NOT dependent on which browser you use. Second, they are NOT hacking into anyone's computer. They are simply analyzing traffic that YOU send to THEIR servers. Third, I would imagine Google will "expect/demand" the same thing they do for using their search engine.
Whatever sins Google may or may not have committed, in this case they're simply trying to combat a piece of malware that they discovered. Please, take your tin hat off for a second (it is apparently interfering with your reading comprehension).
This does make you wonder why is google scanning my computer when I am just searching their database and never gave permission for google or any search engine to scan my machine hmmm seems bit illegal without an acception to do so
@Fletchguy
See my above two comments....
See my above two comments....
I think it is a great idea!! For those of you that think it would just be another way to spoof scam a unknowing user, I say they already do, including fake popup windows that look or act like the users security software!!!
The issue is and has always been one of training users to be skeptical and to look, read and reason any message that the system produces. This is the number way to prevent being infected. 8)
The issue is and has always been one of training users to be skeptical and to look, read and reason any message that the system produces. This is the number way to prevent being infected. 8)
"ignore any and all malware warnings (that aren't coming from your own trusted security software) and just close that tab/window." Immediately. I got one of those and it looked credible. Then reality kicked in and I closed the page.
The question is, how is anyone supposed to figure out the Google warnings from the bogus ones.
Same rule applies, I guess: Close the page immediately.
The question is, how is anyone supposed to figure out the Google warnings from the bogus ones.
Same rule applies, I guess: Close the page immediately.
Is anyone else confused as to how so many people see this as "scanning" or "hacking" someones computer?
Nope. Apparently you're the only one who doesn't comprehend what the article is saying.
@jimglewis@...
Here, let me help you:
"The internet giant said it took the action after discovering unusual patterns of activity on the web that it identified as a strain of malware that causes infected computers to send traffic to Google through proxy servers."
That very clearly states that Google identifies the presence of this malware due to the traffic reaching their servers from certain proxies. How did you interpret ANY part of this article to mean they are scanning peoples computers?
Here, let me help you:
"The internet giant said it took the action after discovering unusual patterns of activity on the web that it identified as a strain of malware that causes infected computers to send traffic to Google through proxy servers."
That very clearly states that Google identifies the presence of this malware due to the traffic reaching their servers from certain proxies. How did you interpret ANY part of this article to mean they are scanning peoples computers?
Although it's been said before, I think it needs to be repeated. They aren't scanning anyone's computer. They are only analyzing traffic you are ALREADY sending them when you use Google services.
If you don't use Google services or send traffic to them already, Google will know nothing.
That being said -- there's also some criticism of Google's choice to inform the user. What else would you have them do? Ignore this information?
One poster suggested Google should just run a virus scan (isn't this what everyone else is paranoid of them doing? Oh noes!! They're scanning my pc!!) -- but even though I'm a big fan of Google, I think I would object to them installing and executing a 3rd party app (virus scanner) without my consent (perhaps they could suggest it instead -- oh wait, they do have a "learn how to fix this").
I applaud their efforts to go above and beyond and inform the user and even provide a source of information on how to fix the problem -- even though Google is not in the business of anti-virus/malware/etc.
Just my 0.02c.
If you don't use Google services or send traffic to them already, Google will know nothing.
That being said -- there's also some criticism of Google's choice to inform the user. What else would you have them do? Ignore this information?
One poster suggested Google should just run a virus scan (isn't this what everyone else is paranoid of them doing? Oh noes!! They're scanning my pc!!) -- but even though I'm a big fan of Google, I think I would object to them installing and executing a 3rd party app (virus scanner) without my consent (perhaps they could suggest it instead -- oh wait, they do have a "learn how to fix this").
I applaud their efforts to go above and beyond and inform the user and even provide a source of information on how to fix the problem -- even though Google is not in the business of anti-virus/malware/etc.
Just my 0.02c.
How about they warn you when their results include malware installing rogue websites so you don't get infected in the first place.
we found some unusual search traffic while performing routine maintenance on one of our data centers," Damian Menscher, a Google security engineer, said in a blog post. "After collaborating with security engineers at several companies that were sending this modified traffic, we determined that the computers exhibiting this behavior were infected with a particular strain of malicious software, or 'malware'
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