New Scam Identified using Youtube Search results

[Ojisama]

The cybersecurity company Malwarebytes has identified a new scam.

Unidentified threat actors have purchased an add which comes out on top of the Google search engine choices if you type in the keyword "Youtube" or other similar keywords. 

If you click the link, you get what appears to be a Windows Defender pop-up saying it has detected a trojan virus on your computer, and to contact Windows Defender Tech Support at once. Dialling the number provided puts you through to an overseas call centre where a "Support Technician" urges you to download Remote Desktop Software called TeamViewer. It is assumed that this is then used to download RansomWare or Spyware.

This is not a new type of attack, but the concern is from the fact that the add used is very well crafted and contains what appear to be legitimate links, and is very hard to spot, and of course, youtube is one of the highest searched sites on the web.

The moral of the story is to treat any redirects as suspicious. If you don't end up where you expect, DO NOT CLICK ANY LINKS, and DO NOT TELEPHONE THE NUMBER PROVIDED.

Use another device to search for a tech support number from the Retailer you purchased the device from, or get a trusted friend to have a look at your device.