Why are we encountering strange-named sites and viruses that are so common in Google searches these days? We have researched for you how this "scam" works and what is intended.
Google, which is used repeatedly by many internet users every day, constantly releases various updates to provide better service to its users. These updates may be related to search results or directly to algorithms. Even though these updates were made to solve the problem, they can make things worse.
Especially if you have done an in-depth search on a specific topic on Google in the last few months, you may encounter sites with strange names ending in .pl, .de, .it, .ru on the front page and at the top. Why are these sites, which actually have nothing to do with the topic you are interested in, ranked higher than the information sources themselves?
Hackers Resort to Black Hat SEO Practices
Actually, spam sites that manipulate Google's algorithms have been around for a while. However, due to Google's spam algorithms, these sites either did not appear in search results or had significantly lower rankings. However, since the beginning of this year, probably due to a change in the algorithm, more spam sites with foreign domain extensions have started to appear in search results.
Hackers show Google bots useful content copied from other websites on the topic they are looking for, but redirect real users to another site using a hidden JavaScript redirect called cloaked redirect. This means that a different page will be shown to the user and a different page will be shown to Googlebot. Therefore, Google finds these pages useful for users and shows these sites in search results.
How Does the System Work?
As you may remember, Google announced last month that it would update its search engine to focus on user experience-oriented content instead of SEO-oriented content. As soon as the attackers heard the news, they quickly rolled up their sleeves and tried to trick Google's SEO and user experience algorithms by copying quality content sites. Victims start searching for content that they believe is related to the words the user is looking for on the successful site, which has a (supposedly) positive impact on user experience.
When you browse these sites related to a topic you are interested in and click on any link, you may be redirected to another site or YouTube video. Thus, the site is used to infect users' devices with viruses and increase the view count of YouTube videos.
So Why Are These Sites Ranked So High?
Typically, when Google finds such sites, it either shows them at the bottom of search results or removes them completely. However, after the latest update, these sites now rank high. According to some users, the owners of these sites have discovered new algorithmic vulnerabilities and are using them for their own benefit.
Especially last month, Google released a "helpful content update" designed to prevent such issues and highlight content that focuses on user experience instead of SEO content. This issue has been very common literally in the last few days and was not fully resolved with a helpful content update. Following a gradual release, the finale has apparently arrived. Google is not providing any explanation as to why these sites are coming to the fore.
Your Device May Have Malware Installed
The issue in question has not been resolved for months despite being reported multiple times on Google. However, this situation poses a great danger to users. Because users cannot find the information they are looking for and are at risk of losing their personal data due to hackers. So much so that users' personal information and credit card numbers are seized with promises like "You won a free phone".
Also, some pages redirect users to the Google Play Store or App Store where they can install applications containing malware. Also, when you visit these pages, the browser's back button stops working for a long time. Because dozens of pages are being redirected in a chain of redirects until the last page opens. So no matter how many times you press the back button, you cannot exit the current page.
In some cases, users may panic by being redirected to a page with a "Virus detected on device" warning. The phone vibrates and a beep sounds with this warning, so most users worry about these notifications and install malware on their phones.
As a result, it is not yet clear when Google's algorithm flaws will be fixed, but users have no choice but not to click on disturbing sites to protect themselves from these attacks. When users visit these sites, they should close the tab without clicking anywhere on the screen.
