Googling seems harmless, right? Wrong!

Cybersecurity experts have revealed that certain words and phrases can put you at risk of being hacked online.

Cybersecurity company Sophos recently warned about typing “Are Bengal cats legal in Australia?” into search engines. But that’s not all, there are more than currently that you are not supposed to Google some words to avoid risks.

Here are five more phrases you should avoid googling: 

Customer Service Numbers

Cybersecurity company Sophos recently warned that scammers may trick you with fake links and phone numbers when you search for the customer service number of a company.

According to Ben Van Pelt, founder of cybersecurity company TorGuard, scammers mimic technicians to gain access to your device. To stay safe, skip ads and visit the company’s website directly.

Moneymaking Searches, Easy Loans

Searching for “easy loans,” “high-paying remote jobs,” or “free credit reports” can lead to scams. Scammers exploit financially vulnerable individuals with false ads. Ben Van Pelt advises seeking financial services from recognised banks and lenders.

For investment opportunities, consult reputable brokers or financial advisors.

Google Authenticator: Fake Links

Cybercriminals imitate legitimate products like Google Authenticator. Malwarebytes discovered hackers buying ads to promote fake links which install malware to steal personal data.

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Be cautious when downloading apps. Make sure you download the original, authentic apps.

Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire

Researchers at Menlo Security found that searching for the “Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire” led to malicious PDF downloads. Cybercriminals target specific groups using SEO poisoning to embed dodgy links. If something downloads unexpectedly

Don’t click on it; remove it and run a virus scan.

Online Viagra

Cybersecurity experts warn against searching for Viagra or similar products online. Scammers break into vulnerable websites, creating fake pages selling knockoff pharmaceuticals.

SolidWP researchers explain that this “pharma hack” tricks users into giving personal info and buying fake products.

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