How far should you go to prove that you are human?
You’ve probably had to prove that you were human before by selecting the crosswalk pictures, or perhaps just clicking an “I am human” box. But what if you are prompted to select “Windows Key + R”, and “Ctrl + V” commands? Fun fact: Don’t!
ClickFix is a new hacker approach to trick you using familiar looking “are you human” popups into allowing malware to bypass your device’s security measures.
Get up-to-date on this new trick in your latest InfoLine article.
More information:
Gang pushes fake IT tools in ClickFix attacks
BleepingComputer.com
More examples of ClickFix popups
Sekoia.io
Phishing campaign impersonates Booking.com
Microsoft.com
Why do we have to prove that we are human?
Bots have long been used to scrape data from computers at a much faster rate than people can. To protect data against the onslaught of bots, CAPTCHA tests have been designed to block them. CAPTCHA challenges can vary, including distorted text, image recognition, or simple checkbox tasks. Do you know what CAPTCHA means? See the end of the article.
What is the ClickFix Attack?
In the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats, a new and deceptive attack method known as the ClickFix attack has emerged, posing significant risks. The ClickFix attack is a sophisticated social engineering technique that tricks users into executing malicious commands on their computers. Disguised as a routine CAPTCHA verification test, ClickFix manipulates users into performing three simple keystrokes that ultimately lead to malware installation .
An example of a ClickFix popup:
Image Source: AskWoody Newsletter
One common ClickFix tactic involves popping up a fake “I’m not a robot” dialog on a website. When you click the checkbox to confirm you’re human, a new pane appears with fraudulent “verification steps”, for instance:
- Press Win+R.
- Press Ctrl+V.
- Press Enter.
If you follow these instructions, they actually do the following:
- Win+R opens the Run dialog box.
- Ctrl+V pastes the hacker’s malicious commands from the Clipboard.
- Enter executes the commands.
How Does ClickFix Work?
- Deceptive Pop-Up: The attack begins with a pop-up on a compromised or malicious website, mimicking a standard “I’m not a robot” CAPTCHA prompt.
- Keystroke Instructions: Users are instructed to press the Windows Key + R, opening the Run dialog box. Next, they are told to press CTRL + V, pasting preloaded malicious code. Finally, pressing Enter executes the command, triggering malware download and installation
- Malware Delivery: The malware delivered by ClickFix can include password stealers, remote access trojans (RATs), and other harmful payloads
Why is ClickFix Dangerous?
ClickFix is particularly dangerous because it exploits common online interactions and human behavior. The attack preys on users’ trust in familiar verification processes, making it easy to fall victim. Additionally, because it requires user interaction, it can evade automated security solutions
How to Protect Yourself
- Be Skeptical of Pop-Ups: Always be cautious of unexpected pop-ups, especially those asking for keystrokes or command execution.
- Verify URLs: Ensure you are on a legitimate website before interacting with any verification prompts.
- Use Security Software: Keep your antivirus and anti-malware software up to date to detect and block malicious activities.
- Educate Yourself: Stay informed about the latest cyber threats and how they operate. Check out this link to view additional ClickFix popup messages. Keep reading InfoLine.
By staying vigilant and following these precautions, you can protect yourself from falling victim to the ClickFix attack and other similar threats.
What does CAPTCHA mean?
It’s an acronym:
Completely
Automated
Public
Turing Test to Tell
Computers and
Humans
Apart
If you have questions about this, please let us know and we will be happy to assist you.
Take care,
