It all started with a Google search.
One of our clients was looking for a tool online—something totally normal.
They typed in a few keywords, hit search, and clicked one of the ads that appeared at the top of the page.
That’s when things got sketchy.
The Fake CAPTCHA Trap
Instead of being taken to a typical website, they landed on a CAPTCHA page. But this wasn’t the usual photo grid or checkbox.
This one said:
“To continue, copy and paste the command below into your terminal.”
Wait—WHAT?
This wasn’t a CAPTCHA. This was a social engineering trick wrapped in a familiar frame.
What Actually Happened
The ad they clicked on was a malicious paid placement—meaning it showed up above legitimate search results. Hackers paid to get their fake site in front of people searching for real tools or downloads.
When our client clicked the ad, it redirected them to a fake CAPTCHA page designed to bypass suspicion and pressure the user into executing dangerous commands manually.
Luckily, they reached out before going any further.
Why This Is Extra Sneaky
This wasn’t your average phishing email or shady pop-up. It was a weaponized search result.
– It looked official because it was a Google ad
– It felt familiar because it used a CAPTCHA prompt
– It escalated quickly by asking for copy-paste execution—bypassing automated malware scanners and relying on you to infect your own system
Even seasoned users could be tricked by something this well-timed and well-targeted.
What We Did
As soon as we got wind of it, our SOC jumped into action:
– Ran a full scan
– Reset key credentials
– Deployed post-exploitation monitoring
Thankfully, because our SOC was ON IT, no damage was done.
But that’s exactly why early reporting and layered defenses are so critical.
How to Protect Yourself from Malicious Ads
– Never trust ads at face value—especially when searching for software or downloads
– Hover over links to inspect the URL before clicking
– CAPTCHAs should never ask you to run code
– Report suspicious behavior immediately—even if “nothing happened” (yet)
Final Word
“Stay vigilant, my friends.” – Our Tech, once again saving the day
In today’s threat landscape, curiosity can be costly.
But quick thinking and strong IT support?
That’s what turns a close call into a clean escape.
