Don’t Assume That Top Google Search Results Are Guaranteed Safe

ByEmily Dolloff

We hate to encourage paranoia, but all is not well with Google Search. Recently, we’ve heard of multiple instances where people were nearly taken advantage of due to relying on the top result in a Google search. In one case, a user called a purported HP support phone number directly from the search results but ended up speaking with a scammer. In another, a user thought they were downloading the latest version of Dropbox but got malware instead. In neither case could we reproduce the error, but they may have resulted from “SEO poisoning,” a malicious technique in which cybercriminals manipulate search engine optimization (SEO) strategies to elevate harmful websites in search results. In short, don’t assume that a site at the top of Google search results is guaranteed safe when downloading software or contacting a company. It’s best to navigate directly to a company’s official website before trusting that corporate information and software downloads are legitimate.

(Featured image based on an original by iStock.com/Armastas)

Social Media: You know that the phrase “I read it on the Internet, so it must be true” is absurd, but you should extend that skepticism to Google search results. We’ve seen two recent instances of malicious content bubbling to the top of searches. Trust but verify.

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    This week’s Kibbles & Bytes exclusive is the “**Tempus Pro Weather Station.**”:http://www.smalldog.com/wag900002092 This complete wireless weather station has been one of out best selling devices. It combines an indoor monitoring station with an outdoor instrument and an iPhone or iPad App to give you complete weather information. It includes sensors for indoor and outdoor temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, rainfall and wind speed. It is simple to install and works by Bluetooth between the outdoor and indoor sensor and Wi-Fi to your iPhone. This is normally $159.99 but for this week for Kibbles & Bytes readers it is “**$25 off at $134.99!**”:http://www.smalldog.com/wag900002092