Experts asked Google “Are Bengal cats legal in Australia?” He issued a stern warning that typing could lead to serious consequences for the user. Cybercriminals have exploited this strange and highly specific search term to set up fake websites that, if accessed, can deliver harmful malware to the user’s computer.

This malware is capable of stealing personal data, financial information, and login details, as well as giving hackers remote control over the infected computer. The compromised device may also contribute to the spread of malware.

This tactic, known as “search result poisoning”, was detected by experts from cybersecurity firm Sophos. Sean Gallagher, a cybersecurity researcher at the British company, explained: “When you search on Google and you’re told ‘there aren’t many good answers for this’, that’s an opportunity (for hackers). They can say ‘OK’, a web site that looks like it will answer that question.” ‘I will create a website and use it for malicious purposes’.”

Ironically, Bengal cats are considered “very dangerous”, Mr Gallagher noted, meaning they have a bad reputation in Australia, where they are “not very well respected”.

The specific search term targeted is quite unique, often with only thousands of searches, but it exemplifies the broader strategy known as “SEO (search engine optimization) poisoning.” Hackers focus on these terms because of the low competition to get top-ranking search results. Mirror.

Sophos, a company based in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, said SEO poisoning has been widespread since 2020 but “we have seen continued growth in this approach to initial compromise, with several major campaigns using this technique over the last year.” Hackers also attempted to manipulate searches for popular software such as Blender 3D, a graphics software program, Photoshop, financial trading tools, and programs that provide remote access to computers.

To avoid becoming a victim of “poisoning”, it is recommended to verify the web address before clicking on a search result. Be wary of misspellings or unusual names, and of sites that trigger unexpected downloads or request sensitive information.

Keeping your browser and operating system up to date is also crucial, as the latest versions aim to block the latest vulnerabilities that hackers are known to exploit.