WEBVTT
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Welcome back to the Pulse on Cyber.
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Today we're talking about a sneaky new scam that tricks you into hacking your own computer without you even realizing it.
00:00:07.919 --> 00:00:12.960
Picture this: you're browsing the web or opening a document and suddenly your screen freezes.
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A realistic looking box pops up saying your web browser crashed or asking you to solve a fake I am not a robot test.
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The pop-up tells you to press a couple of keys on your keyboard, copy a line of text, and paste it into your computer's system settings to fix the problem.
00:00:28.160 --> 00:00:34.320
It looks totally official, but the second you hit enter, you've just handed control of your computer over to a scammer.
00:00:34.640 --> 00:00:42.240
Security experts report that nearly half of recent online break-ins start with this exact trick, and cases have jumped by 500%.
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Why are scammers using it?
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Because modern antivirus software is great at blocking bad downloads, so instead, scammers trick you into pasting the bad code yourself.
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Once that code runs, it immediately searches your browser for the digital cookies that keep you logged into your accounts, like your email, online shopping, social media, or bank.
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By stealing these saved logins, hackers can jump right into your accounts.
00:01:08.000 --> 00:01:12.239
They don't even need your password, and it completely skips two-step verification.
00:01:12.480 --> 00:01:15.680
You won't get a text message alert or a security code request.
00:01:15.840 --> 00:01:16.879
They are just in.
00:01:17.200 --> 00:01:20.000
Protecting yourself doesn't require technical skills.
00:01:20.159 --> 00:01:22.560
Just keep these three simple rules in mind.
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First, no real website, captcha, or browser update will ever ask you to copy text and paste it into your computer's command terminal.
00:01:30.879 --> 00:01:35.200
Second, if your browser freezes, don't press any keys or copy anything.
00:01:35.439 --> 00:01:40.000
Just close your browser using Task Manager on Windows or Force Quit on a Mac.
00:01:40.560 --> 00:01:49.599
Third, if you ever fall for this by accident, immediately open your browser settings, clear your cookies, and log back into your main accounts to revoke their access.
00:01:49.840 --> 00:01:54.799
Staying safe online isn't about being a tech expert, it's about knowing when to pause.
00:01:55.040 --> 00:01:58.640
If this helped you, share it with family and friends to keep them safe.
00:01:58.799 --> 00:02:01.040
Don't forget to hit that subscribe button.
00:02:01.200 --> 00:02:07.120
Visit podcast.thepulse oncyber.com, and remember to follow us across all platforms.
00:02:07.359 --> 00:02:11.199
Stay skeptical, stay updated, and keep your cyber pulse strong.
00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.840
Welcome back to the Pulse on Cyber.
00:00:02.000 --> 00:00:07.679
Today we're talking about a sneaky new scam that tricks you into hacking your own computer without you even realizing it.
00:00:07.919 --> 00:00:12.960
Picture this: you're browsing the web or opening a document and suddenly your screen freezes.
00:00:13.199 --> 00:00:19.920
A realistic looking box pops up saying your web browser crashed or asking you to solve a fake I am not a robot test.
00:00:20.160 --> 00:00:27.920
The pop-up tells you to press a couple of keys on your keyboard, copy a line of text, and paste it into your computer's system settings to fix the problem.
00:00:28.160 --> 00:00:34.320
It looks totally official, but the second you hit enter, you've just handed control of your computer over to a scammer.
00:00:34.640 --> 00:00:42.240
Security experts report that nearly half of recent online break-ins start with this exact trick, and cases have jumped by 500%.
00:00:43.039 --> 00:00:44.799
Why are scammers using it?
00:00:45.039 --> 00:00:53.200
Because modern antivirus software is great at blocking bad downloads, so instead, scammers trick you into pasting the bad code yourself.
00:00:53.439 --> 00:01:03.520
Once that code runs, it immediately searches your browser for the digital cookies that keep you logged into your accounts, like your email, online shopping, social media, or bank.
00:01:03.759 --> 00:01:07.840
By stealing these saved logins, hackers can jump right into your accounts.
00:01:08.000 --> 00:01:12.239
They don't even need your password, and it completely skips two-step verification.
00:01:12.480 --> 00:01:15.680
You won't get a text message alert or a security code request.
00:01:15.840 --> 00:01:16.879
They are just in.
00:01:17.200 --> 00:01:20.000
Protecting yourself doesn't require technical skills.
00:01:20.159 --> 00:01:22.560
Just keep these three simple rules in mind.
00:01:22.879 --> 00:01:30.640
First, no real website, captcha, or browser update will ever ask you to copy text and paste it into your computer's command terminal.
00:01:30.879 --> 00:01:35.200
Second, if your browser freezes, don't press any keys or copy anything.
00:01:35.439 --> 00:01:40.000
Just close your browser using Task Manager on Windows or Force Quit on a Mac.
00:01:40.560 --> 00:01:49.599
Third, if you ever fall for this by accident, immediately open your browser settings, clear your cookies, and log back into your main accounts to revoke their access.
00:01:49.840 --> 00:01:54.799
Staying safe online isn't about being a tech expert, it's about knowing when to pause.
00:01:55.040 --> 00:01:58.640
If this helped you, share it with family and friends to keep them safe.
00:01:58.799 --> 00:02:01.040
Don't forget to hit that subscribe button.
00:02:01.200 --> 00:02:07.120
Visit podcast.thepulse oncyber.com, and remember to follow us across all platforms.
00:02:07.359 --> 00:02:11.199
Stay skeptical, stay updated, and keep your cyber pulse strong.
