Technology

Fake software fixes fuel money-stealing malware threat

Published

2 years ago

June 24, 2024

Press Room

Fake software fixes fuel money-stealing malware threat

What is malware?

Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson discusses how to protect yourself from malware and ransomware.

Online protection firm Proofpoint warns that new and sophisticated malware that impersonates Google Chrome and Microsoft has the potential to steal money from Windows device owners. Multiple groups of cybercriminals are using this malware, including some known for sending spam emails that can infect computers with malware or ransomware.

The malware poses as fake updates in internet browsers like Chrome to trick users into downloading harmful code. Once the code is on the computer, the hackers can access cryptocurrencies, sensitive files and personal information.

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Microsoft laptops (Microsoft) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

How does the fake update malware work?

Proofpoint identified a larger distribution of the malware this month, but the online protection firm believes the campaign has been ongoing since March 2024. The malware poses as fake Google Chrome, Word and OneDrive errors to coerce users into downloading harmful code. These errors prompt the visitor to click a button to copy a PowerShell “fix” into the clipboard, then paste and run it in a Run dialog or PowerShell prompt.

“Although the attack chain requires significant user interaction to be successful, the social engineering is clever enough to present someone with what looks like a real problem and solution simultaneously, which may prompt a user to take action without considering the risk,” warns Proofpoint.

When the PowerShell script runs, it checks if the device is a valid target. Then, it downloads more payloads. These steps include clearing the DNS cache, removing clipboard content, showing a fake message, and downloading another remote PowerShell script.

ClickFix error message (Proofpoint) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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Cryptocurrency theft

This second script checks if it’s running on a virtual machine before downloading an info stealer. Once everything is ready, the hacker can access the victim’s cryptocurrency. This scheme redirects the victim’s funds to the hacker instead of the intended recipient.

Alternative attack method: Email lure

Proofpoint notes that bad actors also use another method called “email lure” to install harmful software. Emails, typically those that appear to be work- or corporate-related, contain an HTML file that resembles Microsoft Word. These emails prompt users to install the “Word Online” extension to view the document correctly.

Similar to the method above, users are prompted to open PowerShell and copy over malicious code. Proofpoint says the deceptive “campaign” is widespread. “The campaign included over 100,000 messages and targeted thousands of organizations globally,” according to the firm.

HTML attachment containing instructions on how to copy and paste PowerShell that leads to the installation of malware (Proofpoint) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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5 ways to protect yourself from harmful software

The fake Chrome and Microsoft Word malware creates a sense of urgency, making users click on the links and unknowingly compromise their devices. There are several steps you can take to protect yourself from such malware.

1) Have strong antivirus software: The best way to protect yourself from clicking malicious links that install malware that may get access to your private information is to have antivirus protection installed on all your devices. This can also alert you of any phishing emails or ransomware scams. Get my picks for the best 2024 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.

2) Use a VPN: Consider using a VPN to protect against being tracked and to identify your potential location on websites that you visit. Many sites can read your IP address and, depending on their privacy settings, may display the city from which you are corresponding. A VPN will disguise your IP address to show an alternate location. For the best VPN software, see my expert review of the best VPNs for browsing the web privately on your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.

3) Monitor your accounts: Regularly review your bank statements, credit card statements and other financial accounts for any unauthorized activity. If you notice any suspicious transactions, report them immediately to your bank or credit card company.

4) Place a fraud alert: Contact one of the three major credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian or TransUnion) and request a fraud alert to be placed on your credit file. This will make it more difficult for identity thieves to open new accounts in your name without verification.

5) Enable two-factor authentication: Enable two-factor authentication whenever possible. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification, such as a code sent to your phone, in addition to your password.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

Hackers have cleverly designed malware that prompts you to install it on your devices. This malware specifically targets Windows users, and I’ve noticed that Windows devices seem to be more susceptible to these kinds of attacks. Recently, Microsoft admitted to a Wi-Fi driver flaw in Windows that allows hackers to hijack your PC simply by being on the same Wi-Fi network. It’s crucial to be cautious when browsing online or connecting to public Wi-Fi.

How do you verify the authenticity of software before downloading and installing it on your device? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover.

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Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:

Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

Technology

The RAM crunch could kill products and even entire companies, memory exec admits

Published

10 hours ago

February 18, 2026

Press Room

The RAM crunch could kill products and even entire companies, memory exec admits

Phison is one of the leading makers of controller chips for SSDs and other flash memory devices — and CEO Pua Khein-Seng has now become a leading voice for just how bad the RAM shortage might get.

Companies may need to cut back their product lines in the second half of 2026, and some companies will even die if they can’t get the components they need, he agreed, in a televised interview with Ningguan Chen of Taiwanese broadcaster Next TV.

While the interview’s entirely in Chinese, friends of The Verge stepped forward to confirm parts of a machine-translated summary that’s been making headlines. They also note, importantly, that it’s the interviewer asking whether companies might shut down or product lines might discontinue. Khein-Seng largely just agreed and clarified that it’ll happen if these companies cannot secure enough RAM.

He also adds that he expects people will start fixing products more often when they break, instead of throwing them in the trash, over the next couple years.

It’s genuinely possible that some companies won’t be able to secure enough RAM. AI data centers are gobbling up the vast majority of the world’s memory supply as part of a global buildout, creating an unprecedented imbalance in supply and demand that’s seen RAM prices triple, quadruple, or even sextuple over the past handful of months. Even Nvidia might skip shipping a gaming GPU for the first time in 30 years. Even Apple may have trouble securing enough RAM now, not to mention memory chips for SSDs, and other vital components.

The RAM shortage may affect everything that computing touches over the next several years, as only three companies control 93 percent of the entire DRAM market, and while those three companies are building more facilities, they don’t want to build too fast. All three have decided to prioritize profits instead of risking overproduction that could lose them money later.

Tomorrow, February 19th, I’ll have a report on The Verge about how “RAMageddon” will affect you, even if you’d never think to buy a stick of memory yourself.

Technology

5 trendy tech words shaping today’s internet culture

Published

10 hours ago

February 18, 2026

Press Room

5 trendy tech words shaping today’s internet culture

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

If your social media feed feels noisier, stranger or more manipulated than it used to, you’re not alone. The internet runs on its own language now, and those buzzwords quietly shape what you see, what you don’t see and how companies target you. From viral “slop” content to shadowbans and targeted ads, these terms influence how information spreads and how platforms treat your account.

Let’s break down five key phrases so you can understand what’s really happening behind your screen and stay in control of your digital life.

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CLEAN UP YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA FEED AND CUT THE NOISE

If your social media feed feels louder and more chaotic, algorithm-driven trends like “slop” and shadowbanning may be shaping what you see. (Jan Woitas/picture alliance via Getty Images)

1) Slop

The flood of low-quality content that is taking over your social media feed

“Slop” refers to mass-produced, low-effort digital content, often generated quickly by AI or churned out purely for clicks and engagement. This includes spammy articles, recycled videos, misleading thumbnails and content created without real value.

While slop may seem harmless, it can crowd out reliable information, spread misinformation and overwhelm your feed with noise instead of useful content. Platforms often struggle to control it because slop is designed to game algorithms.

Why this matters:

Low-quality content can drown out trustworthy sources
Slop is often designed to manipulate clicks and attention
AI-generated misinformation can spread faster than ever
Curating your feed helps reduce exposure to low-value content

The good news is you can take back control by curating your feed and cutting the noise.

2) Burner account

The hidden identity behind anonymous profiles

A burner account is a secondary or anonymous social media account used to hide a person’s real identity. Some people use burner accounts for privacy, while others use them for trolling, harassment, spying or secretly viewing content.

Because burner accounts are difficult to trace, they are often linked to online harassment, fake engagement or manipulation of public conversations. Platforms attempt to detect suspicious behavior, but many burner accounts still slip through the cracks.

Why this matters:

Anonymous accounts can spread misinformation or harassment
Burners are often used to manipulate comments and engagement
They make it harder to verify who is behind the content

Being cautious with unknown accounts protects your safety.

3) Shadowban

When platforms quietly decide what you don’t see

A shadowban doesn’t only affect creators; it can affect what you see as a user. Platforms sometimes limit the visibility of certain accounts, topics, or types of content without telling you. This means posts may be hidden, pushed lower in your feed or never shown to you at all, even if you follow the account.

This type of filtering is often driven by algorithms designed to reduce spam, harmful content or policy violations, but it can also shape what information reaches you without you realizing it. Over time, this can subtly influence your perception of what’s popular, trending or widely discussed.

Why this matters:

You may not see all content from accounts you follow
Algorithms quietly filter what appears in your feed
Your view of trends and conversations can be shaped
Platform controls influence what information reaches you

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From burner accounts to clickbait, online buzzwords influence how information spreads and how users are targeted. (Brent Lewin/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

4) Clickbait

Headlines designed to make you click, not inform you

Clickbait uses exaggerated, misleading or emotionally charged headlines to attract attention and drive clicks. While some clickbait is harmless, it often leads to low-quality or misleading content that doesn’t deliver on its promise.

Clickbait works because it exploits curiosity, fear or surprise, powerful emotional triggers that drive engagement. It’s a core tactic used by low-quality publishers and viral content farms.

Why this matters

Clickbait can spread misinformation or distort facts
It’s designed to manipulate attention rather than inform
Recognizing it helps you avoid low-value content
Trustworthy sources focus on clarity, not shock value

5) Targeted ads

Why the internet seems to know what you want

Targeted ads use data about your behavior, searches, location and interests to deliver personalized advertisements. This is why you might see ads related to something you recently searched, clicked or even talked about near your phone.

Advertisers build detailed profiles based on browsing activity, app usage and online behavior to predict what you are most likely to buy or engage with.

What this does:

Shows ads based on your interests and behavior
Uses browsing history, location and app activity
Builds advertising profiles over time
Drives highly personalized marketing

One more thing to know: Targeted advertising relies heavily on data collection. Adjusting privacy settings, limiting ad tracking and regularly reviewing app permissions can reduce how much data advertisers use to profile you.

Pro Tip: Control the data that fuels the system

If targeted ads feel a little too accurate, it’s because data brokers are constantly collecting and selling your information. Beyond adjusting privacy settings, consider removing your personal data from broker sites to shrink the profile advertisers build around you.

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.

Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: Cyberguy.com.

Stay tuned for more in this series as we decode the internet’s most talked-about terms and answer the top questions we hear from readers like you.

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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.

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Understanding digital terms like “slop” and clickbait can help users take back control of their feeds. (Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Kurt’s key takeaways

The modern internet runs on more than just technology; it runs on attention, algorithms and influence. Understanding terms like slop, shadowban and targeted ads helps you recognize how platforms shape your experience and how companies compete for your clicks. The more you understand these trends, the easier it becomes to filter noise, protect your privacy and stay in control of what you see online.

Confused by a trending internet term or want something explained? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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Technology

Mark Zuckerberg is taking the stand as social media goes on trial

Published

22 hours ago

February 18, 2026

Press Room

Mark Zuckerberg is taking the stand as social media goes on trial

Lori Schott didn’t care what it took to haul her way from her small town in Eastern Colorado to show up to a Los Angeles courtroom where Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is set to testify Wednesday. “I don’t care if I had to hire a pack mule to get me here, I was going to be here,” she told The Verge outside the courthouse Tuesday.

Schott’s daughter Annalee died by suicide at age 18 in 2020, after struggling with body image issues that her mother says were heightened by social media. After her death, Schott found journal entries where Annalee disparaged her own looks and compared herself to other girls’ profiles. “I was so worried about what my child was putting out online, I didn’t realize what she was receiving,” Schott said.

The way that Meta and Google-owned YouTube designed their products — allegedly luring users into a nonstop loop of taps and scrolling — is at the heart of this month’s bellwether social media trial, which sets the stage for thousands of similar lawsuits. The companies have generally denied the claims. Schott and several other self-described survivor parents have made it their mission to be in the courtroom during the several-week trial in downtown LA.

“I was so worried about what my child was putting out online, I didn’t realize what she was receiving.”

Last week, the parents heard from Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri, who used his time to carve a distinction between clinical addiction to social media and what he called “problematic use.” On the stand, Mosseri testified that using Instagram “too much” is a relative thing that can vary person-to-person, and he wouldn’t use the term addiction for using social media up to 16 hours a day. Mosseri explained why Meta had modified a prior ban on image filters that altered users’ appearance, after previously discussing their potential negative mental health effects. While the plaintiff has argued Meta is motivated by profits and engagement at the expense of users’ safety, Mosseri said that the two are aligned. “In general, we should be focused on the protection of minors, but I believe protecting minors over the long run is good for business and for profit,” he said, according to CNBC.

Several parents camped out overnight in the rain to make sure that they would get spots behind Mosseri while he took the stand. One of them was Julianna Arnold, whose daughter Coco died of fentanyl poisoning at 17 after allegedly meeting a dealer on Instagram she believed had sold her Percocet. The parents wore rain ponchos, played cards, drank coffee, and told stories throughout the night. “Everyone was like, you’re crazy,” she said. “But it didn’t feel like we were crazy, because we were so determined to have survivor parents in the courtroom.”

For Schott, who also stayed overnight to see Mosseri’s testimony, the reality of being in the room quickly became overwhelming. “I really hoped in my heart that it wasn’t as bad as it was,” said Schott, who left the testimony early after hearing the Instagram CEO discuss documents about engagement, profits, and internal research about girls’ mental health. “It is that bad.”

“I want him to see my face, because my face is Anna’s face.”

On Wednesday, Zuckerberg will likely expand on Mosseri’s testimony and explain the company’s choices. While Mosseri is in charge of the product at the center of the trial, Zuckerberg’s role as founder and CEO means that the plaintiff’s lawyers will likely ask him to account for choices they allege harmed young users. Zuckerberg will likely be asked about how and why his company made various design decisions, and research it conducted on user safety. But at least as important as what Zuckerberg will say, for many, is that he’ll get to see their faces. “I’d love to look him in the eye,” Schott says. “I want him to see my face, because my face is Anna’s face.”

Zuckerberg’s testimony will likely be referenced at future trials and legislative hearings. Thousands of social media cases behind this one similarly argue that products like Instagram caused various personal injuries, and that companies should be made to pay damages and change their products to make them safer.

Arnold isn’t sure whether she’ll get one of the limited, lottery-assigned seats inside the courthouse. Either way, “I want to see a row of survivor parents in the front row. That he has to testify to our faces, to parents of kids that died because of his lack of care and lack of accountability — that’s why it’s really important that we’re here.”

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