Don’t Trust the Top Search Result Blindly
We’ve recently seen a few concerning cases where users were misled by search results, calling fake support numbers or downloading malicious files from what appeared to be legitimate sources. In one instance, a user looking for HP support ended up on the phone with a scammer. In another, someone downloaded malware instead of the real Dropbox app.
These incidents may be linked to a tactic called SEO poisoning, where bad actors manipulate search rankings to push fake or harmful sites to the top.
While we couldn’t reproduce these specific results, it’s a reminder to be cautious. Always go directly to a company’s official website instead of relying solely on what appears first in a search. When it comes to tech support or downloads, a few extra seconds could save you from a major headache.
(Featured image based on an original by iStock.com/Armastas)
