Google cracks down on websites with deceptive download buttons

Google will be expanding its Safe Browsing protection to tackle deceptive embedded content on the web. Google will warn users about websites that come with deceptive download button, or an image ad that claims your system is out of date.

Google says it will consider a web page as social engineering when they either “pretend to act, or look and feel, like a trusted entity — like your own device or browser, or the website itself, or try to trick you into doing something you’d only do for a trusted entity — like sharing a password or calling tech support.”

According to Google, these

deceptive buttons appear like they will produce some content when clicked or are related to the post of the site, and most importantly mimic the site’s look and feel. It is very tough for users to distinguish these deceptive buttons from actual buttons. Google has also shared some examples of such deceptive embedded content.

The new update comes months after Google cracked down on social engineering attacks that tricked users into installing unwanted software or even accessing users’ personal information such as passwords and phone numbers.

Google’s new feature is likely to improve browsing experience on the web. There are plenty of websites featuring clickbaiting articles along with such deceptive buttons. A recent security report had revealed how India had been badly hit by such malicious content.

According to Cheetah Mobile’s 2015 Security Report, about 50 percent of Android users have been affected by malicious promotion malware. These malware are disguised as pop ads and force users to install unwanted apps that are very hard to remove from the device.