Feed aggregator

Criminals turn placeholder domain into ClickFix trap

Malware Bytes Security - Fri, 09/25/2026 - 8:42am

A domain that has long appeared in software documentation, code examples, and developer test material is now being used to push a ClickFix attack against Windows users.

A placeholder domain stands in for a website in an example. The best-known is probably example.com. Another, third-party[.]com, has often been used in documentation to represent an external website, API, or service.

However, there is a very important difference between the two: example.com is reserved for documentation, while third-party[.]com is an ordinary domain. Anyone could register it, and someone did. Every document, test, and skill that hardcoded it now points readers and users to the attacker’s infrastructure.

Researchers at Manifold Security found that third-party[.]com was serving a fake Cloudflare-style verification page to Windows visitors. The page tries to persuade them to open the Windows Run box and paste a command it has copied to their clipboard.This command is designed to download and execute a PowerShell script. At the time of writing the domain hosting the script is not resolving.

ClickFix is a social-engineering technique that turns the victim into the malware installer.

Instead of relying on a malicious attachment or an obvious executable download, the attacker convinces someone to run a command themselves. Common lures include:

  • A fake CAPTCHA or Cloudflare Turnstile check.
  • A browser error that claims it needs a “manual fix.”
  • A bogus video-player, document-viewer, or popular software download.
  • A support scam page that tells the visitor to paste a command into Run, Command Prompt, Terminal, or PowerShell.

ClickFix works because the command often uses legitimate Windows or Mac tools to download and execute the next stage. It also runs with the permissions of the person who has been convinced to enter it.

The consequences can range from information theft to more serious compromise of a company network. In a recent campaign called TerminalFix, a fake Cloudflare CAPTCHA led victims to paste a PowerShell command into Windows Terminal or PowerShell.

How to stay safe

With ClickFix running rampant—and it doesn’t look like it’s going away anytime soon—it’s important to be aware, careful, and protected.

  • Slow down. Be wary of a webpage that urges you to run commands on your device, especially if it uses a countdown or other pressure tactic.
  • Don’t run commands or scripts from untrusted sources. Never run code or commands copied from websites, emails, or messages unless you trust the source and understand the action’s purpose. Verify instructions independently. If a website tells you to execute a command or perform a technical action, check through official documentation or contact support before proceeding.
  • Check what you’re pasting. A website may copy a command to your clipboard without showing you the full text. Don’t paste it into a command window.
  • Secure your device. Use an up-to-date, real-time anti-malware solution with a web protection component.
  • Educate yourself on evolving attack techniques. Understanding that attacks may come from unexpected vectors and evolve helps maintain vigilance. Keep reading our blog!

Pro tip: The free Malwarebytes Browser Guard extension warns you when a website tries to copy something to your clipboard.

Stop threats before they can do any harm.

Malwarebytes Browser Guard blocks phishing pages and malicious sites automatically. Free, one click to install. Add it to your browser →

Categories: Malware Bytes

Ormaos: What happened inside your Python execution?

Hacker News - Fri, 09/25/2026 - 8:41am

Article URL: https://ormaos.com/

Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49843825

Points: 1

# Comments: 0

Categories: Hacker News

CISA Election Security Plan Flags Patching Barriers, Voter Database Attacks

Security Week - Fri, 09/25/2026 - 8:39am

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin tasked CISA with developing the plan in July. 

The post CISA Election Security Plan Flags Patching Barriers, Voter Database Attacks appeared first on SecurityWeek.

Categories: SecurityWeek

Kosovar Owner of Rydox Marketplace Pleads Guilty in US Court

Security Week - Fri, 09/25/2026 - 8:16am

Ardit Kutleshi created and operated Rydox, which allowed miscreants to trade PII and cybercrime tools and services.

The post Kosovar Owner of Rydox Marketplace Pleads Guilty in US Court appeared first on SecurityWeek.

Categories: SecurityWeek

The Cryptopals Crypto Challenges

Hacker News - Fri, 09/25/2026 - 7:53am

Article URL: https://cryptopals.com/

Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49843334

Points: 1

# Comments: 0

Categories: Hacker News

Platform-Independent SIMD in Go

Hacker News - Fri, 09/25/2026 - 7:47am

Article URL: https://go.dev/blog/simd-experiment

Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49843269

Points: 1

# Comments: 0

Categories: Hacker News

Hardlist: Index of ambitious European hardware startups

Hacker News - Fri, 09/25/2026 - 7:46am

Article URL: https://www.hardli.st/

Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49843259

Points: 1

# Comments: 0

Categories: Hacker News

Pages