Google ads deliver sophisticated tech support scam targeting Windows and Mac users

As detailed in Ars Technica, researchers have uncovered a sophisticated tech support scam that utilizes Google ads to trick users into believing their Windows and Mac devices are frozen. The scam displays urgent messages instructing users to contact a fraudulent call center.

The malicious Google ads appeared across various high-traffic websites, including those for maps, weather, and real estate. Upon clicking, users were presented with a full-screen message designed to mimic a system freeze, disabling common exit keys and slowing browser performance to create a sense of urgency. Victims were then pressured to pay fees, grant remote access, or reveal personal information. Security firm Netskope observed over 600 customer organizations exposed to these ads between August 31 and September 14, with approximately 62% of affected organizations located in the US.

The scam's stealthy design, including encryption and platform-specific warnings, allowed it to evade detection by some security software and potentially Google's ad filters. Google stated it has zero tolerance for scams and is investigating. The full extent of the campaign's reach and the number of actual victims remain unclear. Experts advise users not to call numbers displayed in such warnings and to use specific key combinations to exit the fraudulent browser window.

Source: Ars Technica