Technology
Fake Google Meet update lets hackers control your Windows PCs
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
You might think the biggest danger online is downloading a virus or giving away your password. But a new phishing trick shows how attackers can take control of your computer without either of those things happening.
Security researchers recently uncovered a fake Google Meet update page that looks convincing enough to fool many people. All it takes is one click on a button that says “Update now.” Instead of installing an update, you can be tricked into enrolling your Windows computer in a remote management system controlled by attackers.
Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide – free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM newsletter.
TECH GIANTS UNITE TO FIGHT ONLINE SCAMS
A fake Google Meet update page can trick Windows users into handing attackers remote control of their computers through a built-in device enrollment feature. (pocketlight/Getty Images)
All you need to know about the fake Google Meet update
Researchers at Malwarebytes, a cybersecurity company that develops software to detect and remove malware, discovered a phishing website designed to look like an official update notice for Google Meet. The page tells visitors they need to install the latest version of Meet to continue using the service. The design uses familiar colors and branding that many of us associate with Google products.
When someone clicks the “Update now” button, it does not download an update at all. Instead, it triggers a built-in Windows feature using a special device enrollment link that opens a real system window called “Set up a work or school account.” This window normally appears when a company’s IT department sets up a laptop for an employee.
In this scam, the setup window is already filled with information that connects the computer to a remote management server controlled by the attacker. The system points to an online management service hosted on Esper, which is a legitimate platform used by businesses to manage company devices.
If the victim clicks through the setup process, his computer becomes enrolled in what is called a mobile device management system. That gives whoever controls the server the same level of control a company’s IT department would have over a work laptop.
Security researchers say the attackers are not expecting everyone to complete the process. Even if only a small number of people click through the prompts, that can still give them access to enough computers to make the campaign worthwhile.
How it works and why it matters to you
This attack works by abusing a legitimate Windows feature rather than installing malware. Windows includes something called device enrollment, which lets companies connect employee computers to a management system. Once a device is enrolled, administrators can remotely control many aspects of that machine.
In a normal workplace setting, this helps IT teams install company software, enforce security settings and manage devices. Attackers realized they could trick people into joining their own management system instead. When you click the fake update button, Windows launches a built-in enrollment process. Because it is a real system feature and not a fake pop-up, it looks legitimate and can bypass many security warnings.
If you complete the steps, the attacker effectively becomes the administrator of your computer. That could allow the hacker to silently install software, change system settings, view files stored on your computer, lock your screen or even wipe the device entirely. In some cases, the hacker could also install additional malware later. What makes this attack especially tricky is that traditional antivirus tools may not detect anything wrong because the operating system itself is performing the actions.
We reached out to Google for comment, and a spokesperson provided the following statement: “These ‘update now’ prompts are not legitimate Google communications. This is a phishing campaign that attempts to trick users into a Windows device enrollment process. Google Meet updates are handled automatically through your browser or the official app. Google will never prompt you to visit a third-party site to enroll a personal device to receive an update.”
FAKE GOOGLE SECURITY PAGE CAN TURN YOUR BROWSER INTO A SPYING TOOL
Instead of downloading malware, victims who click through a fake update page may unknowingly give attackers administrator-level access to their Windows devices. (Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
7 ways to protect yourself from the fake Google Meet update
If you ever see a message saying you must update a service before continuing, slow down and verify it first. A few simple habits can prevent attacks like this from working.
1) Be skeptical of unexpected update prompts
If a website suddenly tells you that a service like Google Meet needs an update before you can continue, pause for a moment. Major platforms rarely force updates through random web pages. Google Meet updates happen automatically through your browser or official app and never require visiting a third-party site. Always check the URL bar. Legitimate Google Meet sessions only run on meet.google.com. A real update will never try to enroll your entire computer or trigger system-level setup screens. If it does, it is a scam. Instead, open the service directly from its official website or app and check for updates there.
2) Check if your device was enrolled without your knowledge
On a Windows computer, open Settings, then go to Accounts and look for “Access work or school.” If you see an unfamiliar account or organization listed, especially one you do not recognize, disconnect it immediately. This section shows whether your device has been enrolled in a remote management system.
3) Reduce your exposure with a data removal service
Cybercriminals often rely on personal information found online to make phishing attacks more convincing. Data removal services help remove your information from data broker sites, reducing the chances that scammers can target you with personalized attacks. While it will not stop this specific trick, it can make you a harder target overall. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com.
4) Use strong antivirus software
Google says Gmail’s AI protections block more than 99.9% of spam, phishing and malware, but scams can still reach you through search results, ads or links shared outside your inbox. That’s why using strong antivirus software with real-time protection can help detect suspicious behavior that may emerge after an attacker gains control of a device. Even though this attack uses legitimate Windows features, security tools can still identify unusual system changes or malicious software installed afterward. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at Cyberguy.com.
DARKSWORD LEAK PUTS MILLIONS OF IPHONE USERS AT RISK
Security researchers uncovered a phishing scam that uses a fake Google Meet update prompt to enroll personal computers into attacker-controlled remote management systems. (400tmax/Getty Images)
5) Keep Windows and your browser updated
Software updates often include security protections that help block new attack methods. Running the latest version of Windows and your web browser reduces the chances of attackers exploiting older system behaviors or vulnerabilities.
6) Use a password manager
A password manager only autofills your login details at the correct website address. If you land on a phishing page pretending to be a service like Google Meet, your password manager will not fill in your information. That warning alone can help you realize something is wrong before you click anything. It also encourages you to rely on saved logins instead of interacting with suspicious update prompts. Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2026 at Cyberguy.com.
7) Never complete system setup prompts you didn’t start
If a Windows system window suddenly appears asking you to set up a work or school account, stop immediately. Legitimate setup prompts typically appear when you are configuring a device or following instructions from your employer, not from clicking a random website. If you did not expect it, close the window.
Kurt’s key takeaway
Cybercrime is changing by the minute. Instead of writing obvious viruses, attackers are increasingly abusing legitimate features built into operating systems and cloud services. In this case, both Windows device enrollment and the management platform being used are real tools designed for businesses. The attackers simply redirected those tools toward people who never intended to hand over control of their computers. That should tell you how easily powerful enterprise features can be repurposed for attacks when there are few safeguards preventing misuse.
Should operating systems block device enrollment requests that come from random websites? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide – free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM newsletter.
Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
Microsoft Edge is adding a new feature that will allow its Copilot AI chatbot to gather information from all of your open tabs. When you start a conversation with Copilot, you can ask the chatbot questions about what’s in your tabs, compare the products you’re looking at, summarize your open articles, and more.
In its announcement, Microsoft says you can “select which experiences you want or leave off the ones you don’t.” The company is retiring Copilot Mode as well, which could similarly draw information from your tabs but offered some agentic features, like the ability to book a reservation on your behalf. Microsoft has since folded these agentic capabilities into its “Browse with Copilot” tool.
Several other AI features are coming to Edge, including an AI-powered “Study and Learn” mode that can turn the article you’re looking at into a study session or interactive quiz. There’s a new tool that turns your tabs into AI-powered podcasts as well, similar to what you’d find on NotebookLM, and an AI writing assistant that will pop up when you start entering text on a webpage.
You can also give Copilot permission to access your browsing history to provide more “relevant, high-quality answers,” according to Microsoft. Copilot in Edge on desktop and mobile will come with “long-term memory” as well, which can tailor its responses based on your previous conversations. And, when you open up a new tab, you’ll see a redesigned page that combines chat, search, and web navigation, along with the Journeys feature, which uses AI to organize your browsing history into categories that you can revisit.
Meanwhile, an update to Edge’s mobile app will allow you to share your screen with Copilot and talk through the questions about what you’re seeing. Microsoft says you’ll see “clear visual cues” when Copilot is active, “so you know when it’s taking an action, helping, listening, or viewing.”
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
If you bought a newer iPhone because Apple made Siri sound like it was about to become your personal artificial intelligence sidekick, you may want to pay attention.
Apple has agreed to pay $250 million to settle a class-action lawsuit over claims that it misled customers about new Apple Intelligence and Siri features. The case centers on the iPhone 16 launch and certain iPhone 15 models that were marketed as ready for Apple’s next wave of AI. The settlement still needs court approval, and Apple denies wrongdoing.
The lawsuit argues that Apple promoted a smarter, more personal Siri before those features were actually available. For some buyers, that was a big deal. A new iPhone can cost hundreds of dollars, and many people upgrade only when they think they are getting something meaningfully new.
Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
- Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox.
- For simple, real-world ways to spot scams early and stay protected, visit CyberGuy.com – trusted by millions who watch CyberGuy on TV daily.
- Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join.
WHY IPHONE USERS ARE THE NEW PRIME SCAM TARGETS
U.S. buyers of certain iPhone 16 and iPhone 15 Pro models may qualify for payments if a judge approves Apple’s proposed settlement. (Getty Images)
What Apple is accused of promising
Apple introduced Apple Intelligence in June 2024 and promoted it as a major step forward for iPhone, iPad and Mac. A key part of that pitch was a more personalized Siri that could understand context, work across apps and help with everyday tasks in a more useful way.
The lawsuit claims Apple’s marketing made consumers believe those advanced Siri features would arrive with the iPhone 16 or soon after. Instead, buyers received phones that had some Apple Intelligence tools, but not the full Siri overhaul that many expected.
That gap is the heart of the case. Plaintiffs say customers bought or upgraded devices based on AI features that were not ready. Apple says it has rolled out many Apple Intelligence features and settled the case, so it can stay focused on its products.
How much money could iPhone owners get?
The proposed settlement creates a $250 million fund. Eligible customers who file approved claims are expected to receive at least $25 per eligible device. That amount could rise to as much as $95 per device, depending on how many people file claims and other settlement factors.
That means this will not be a huge payday for most people. Still, if you bought one of the covered phones, it may be worth watching for a claim notice. A few minutes of paperwork could put some money back in your pocket.
Which iPhones may qualify?
The proposed settlement covers U.S. buyers who purchased any iPhone 16 model, iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max between June 10, 2024, and March 29, 2025.
Covered iPhone 16 models include the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 16e. The settlement also includes the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, but not every iPhone 15 model.
The key details are the device model, the purchase date and whether the phone was bought in the United States.
HOW YOU CAN GET A SLICE OF APPLE’S $250M IPHONE SETTLEMENT
Apple has agreed to pay $250 million to settle claims it misled customers about Apple Intelligence and Siri features on newer iPhones. (Michael Nagle/Bloomberg)
How will you file a claim?
You do not need to do anything immediately. The settlement still needs a judge’s approval. Once the claims process opens, eligible customers are expected to receive a notice by email or mail with instructions on how to file through a settlement website.
That notice matters because scammers love moments like this. A real settlement notice should not ask for your Apple ID password, bank login or payment to claim your money. If you receive a message about this settlement, do not click blindly. Go slowly, check the sender and look for the official settlement administrator details once they are available.
Why this case matters beyond one Siri feature
This case hits a bigger nerve. Tech companies are racing to sell AI as the next must-have feature. That creates a problem for shoppers. You are often asked to buy now based on what a company says will arrive later.
That can be frustrating when the feature is the reason you upgraded. A smarter Siri sounds useful. A phone that can understand your personal context, search across apps and help with daily tasks could save time. But if those tools are delayed, limited or missing, the value of the upgrade changes.
This settlement also sends a message about AI marketing. Companies can talk about future features, but consumers need clear timing and plain explanations. “Coming soon” can mean very different things when you are spending $800, $1,000 or more.
We reached out to Apple for comment, but did not hear back before our deadline.
FIRST 15 THINGS TO DO OR TRY FIRST WHEN YOU GET A NEW IPHONE
Apple denies wrongdoing but agreed to settle claims tied to its marketing of Apple Intelligence and Siri features. (Qilai Shen/Bloomberg)
What this means to you
If you bought a covered iPhone during the settlement period, keep an eye on your email and regular mail. You may qualify for a payment if the court approves the deal.
You should also keep your receipt or proof of purchase if you have it. Your Apple purchase history, carrier account or retailer receipt may help if the claim process asks for details.
More broadly, this is a reminder to treat AI features like any other big tech promise. Before you upgrade, ask one simple question: Can the feature do what is being advertised today, or is the company asking me to wait?
That question can save you from buying a device for a future feature that may arrive much later than expected.
Take my quiz: How safe is your online security?
Think your devices and data are truly protected? Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you’ll get a personalized breakdown of what you’re doing right and what needs improvement. Take my quiz here: CyberGuy.com.
Kurt’s key takeaways
Apple has built its brand on making technology feel polished, personal and easy to use. That is why this Siri settlement hits a nerve. People were buying phones they use every day for texts, photos, directions, reminders and everything in between. Many expected AI to make those everyday tasks easier, which is why the delay felt frustrating. The proposed payout may be modest, but the bigger issue is trust. When a company sells AI as a reason to upgrade, customers deserve to know what actually works now and what is still coming later.
Would you still buy a new phone for promised AI features, or would you wait until they actually show up? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.
Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
- Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox.
- For simple, real-world ways to spot scams early and stay protected, visit CyberGuy.com – trusted by millions who watch CyberGuy on TV daily.
- Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join.
Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
Instagram is once again cribbing from competitors like Snapchat and BeReal with a new photo-sharing format it calls “Instants,” which are ephemeral photos that you can’t edit and that you can only share with your close friends or followers that follow you back. Instants are available globally beginning on Wednesday as a feature in the inbox in the Instagram app and as a separate app that’s now in testing in select countries.
To access Instants from the Instagram app, go to your DM inbox and look in the bottom-right corner for an icon or a stack of photos. After you post a photo, your friends can emoji react to it and send a reply to your DMs, but after they see it, the photo disappears for them. Instants also disappear after 24 hours, and they can’t be captured in screenshots or screen recordings.
However, your Instants will remain in an archive for you for up to a year, and you can reshare them as a recap to your Instagram Stories if you’d like. You can also undo sending an Instant right after you post it or delete it from your archive.
The Instants mobile app, which popped up in Italy and Spain in April, gives you “immediate access to the camera” and only requires an Instagram account, Instagram says. “Instants you share on the separate app will show up for friends on Instagram and vice versa. We’re trying this separate app out to see how our community uses it, and we’ll continue to evolve it as we learn more.”
Instagram, in its testing, has seen that people “tend to use Instants to share much more casual, much more authentic moments about their day,” according to Instagram boss Adam Mosseri. “And we know that this type of sharing of personal moments with friends is a core part of what makes Instagram Instagram, but we also know that a lot of people don’t really share a lot to their profile grids anymore.”
-
Texas6 minutes agoERCOT Warns Texas AI Power Boom May Not Materialize
-
Utah12 minutes ago‘It means building hope’: USU brings independence to refugee group through chicken coop project
-
Vermont18 minutes ago
VT Lottery Powerball, Gimme 5 results for May 13, 2026
-
Virginia24 minutes agoVa. governor concerned redistricting battle could make voters reluctant to cast ballot this fall – WTOP News
-
Wisconsin36 minutes agoWisconsin Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for May 13, 2026
-
West Virginia42 minutes agoPrimary Election Post Mortem – WV MetroNews
-
Wyoming48 minutes agoWyoming High School Softball Regional Tournaments 2026
-
Crypto54 minutes agoADI Foundation and Settlemint Launch ADGM Tokenization Rail for $30.9B RWAs