Using incognito mode and VPN may still not ensure total privacy, according to expert

Starting in mid-December, 2024, a series of attacks have targeted Chrome browser extensions. A data protection company called Cyberhaven, California, fell victim to one of these attacks. Though identified in the U.S., the geographical extent and potential of the attack are yet to be determined. Assessment of these cases can help us to be better prepared for such instances if they occur in the near future. 

The Attack

Browser extensions are small software applications that add and enable functionality or a capacity (feature) to a web browser. These are written in CSS, HTML, or JavaScript and like other software, can be coded to deliver malware. Also known as plug-ins, they have access to their own set of Application Programming Interface (APIs). They can also be used to remove unwanted elements as per customisation, such as pop-up advertisements and auto-play videos, when one lands on a website. Some examples of browser extensions include Ad-blockers (for blocking ads and content filtering) and StayFocusd (which limits the time of the users on a particular website).

In the aforementioned attack, the publisher of the browser at Cyberhaven received a phishing mail from an attacker posing to be from the Google Chrome Web Store Developer Support. It mentioned that their browser policies were not compatible and encouraged the user to click on the “Go to Policy”action item,  which led the user to a page that enabled permissions for a malicious OAuth called Privacy Policy Extension (Open Authorisation is an adopted standard that is used to authorise secure access for temporary tokens). Once the permission was granted, the attacker was able to inject malicious code into the target’s Chrome browser extension and steal user access tokens and session cookies. Further investigation revealed that logins of certain AI and social media platforms were targeted.

CyberPeace Recommendations

As attacks of such range continue to occur, it is encouraged that companies and developers take active measures that would make their browser extensions less susceptible to such attacks. Google also has a few guidelines on how developers can safeguard their extensions from their end. These include:

1. Minimal Permissions For Extensions- It is encouraged that minimal permissions for extensions barring the required APIs and websites that it depends on are acquired as limiting extension privileges limits the surface area an attacker can exploit.
2. Prioritising Protection Of Developer Accounts- A security breach on this end could lead to compromising all users' data as this would allow attackers to mess with extensions via their malicious codes. A 2FA (2-factor authentication) by setting a security key is endorsed.
3. HTTPS over HTTP- HTTPS should be preferred over HTTP as it requires a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)/ transport layer security(TLS) certificate from an independent certificate authority (CA). This creates an encrypted connection between the server and the web browser.

Lastly, as was done in the case of the attack at Cyberhaven, it is encouraged to promote the practice of transparency when such incidents take place to better deal with them.

References

1. https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-news-technology/hackers-hijack-companies-chrome-extensions-cyberhaven-9748454/
2. https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-news-technology/google-chrome-extensions-hack-safety-tips-9751656/
3. https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/definition/browser-extension
4. https://www.forbes.com/sites/daveywinder/2024/12/31/google-chrome-2fa-bypass-attack-confirmed-what-you-need-to-know/
5. https://www.cloudflare.com/learning/ssl/why-use-https/

Introduction

As we delve deeper into the intricate, almost esoteric digital landscape of the 21st century, we are confronted by a new and troubling phenomenon that threatens the very bastions of our personal security. This is not a mere subplot in some dystopian novel but a harsh and palatable reality firmly rooted in today's technologically driven society. We must grapple with the consequences of the alarming evolution of cyber threats, particularly the sophisticated use of artificial intelligence in creating face swaps—a technique now cleverly harnessed by nefarious actors to undermine the bedrock of biometric security systems.

What is GoldPickaxe?

It was amidst the hum of countless servers and data centers that the term 'GoldPickaxe' began to echo, sending shivers down the spines of cybersecurity experts. Originating from the intricate web spun by a group of Chinese hackers as reported in Dark Reading. GoldPickaxe represents the latest in a long lineage of digital predators. It is an astute embodiment of the disguise, blending into the digital environment as a seemingly harmless government service app. But behind its innocuous facade, it bears the intent to ensnare and deceive, with the elderly demographic being especially susceptible to its trap.  

Victims, unassuming and trustful, are cajoled into revealing their most sensitive information: phone numbers, private details, and, most alarmingly, their facial data. These virtual reflections, intended to be the safeguard of one's digital persona, are snatched away and misused in a perilous transformation. The attackers harness such biometric data, feeding it into the arcane furnaces of deepfake technology, wherein AI face-swapping crafts eerily accurate and deceptive facsimiles. These digital doppelgängers become the master keys, effortlessly bypassing the sentinel eyes of facial recognition systems that lock the vaults of Southeast Asia's financial institutions.

Through the diligent and unyielding work of the research team at Group-IB, the trajectory of one victim's harrowing ordeal—a Vietnamese individual pilfered of a life-altering $40,000—sheds light on the severity of this technological betrayal. The advancements in deep face technology, once seen as a marvel of AI, now present a clear and present danger, outpacing the mechanisms meant to deter unauthorized access, and leaving the unenlightened multitude unaware and exposed.

Adding weight to the discussion, experts, a potentate in biometric technology, commented with a somber tone: 'This is why we see face swaps as a tool of choice for hackers. It gives the threat actor this incredible level of power and control.' This chilling testament to the potency of digital fraudulence further emphasizes that even seemingly impregnable ecosystems, such as that of Apple’s, are not beyond the reach of these relentless invaders.

New Threat

Emerging from this landscape is the doppelgänger of GoldPickaxe specifically tailored for the iOS landscape—GoldDigger's mutation into GoldPickaxe for Apple's hallowed platform is nothing short of a wake-up call. It engenders not just a single threat but an evolving suite of menaces, including its uncanny offspring, 'GoldDiggerPlus,' which is wielding the terrifying power to piggyback on real-time communications of the affected devices. Continuously refined and updated, these threats become chimeras, each iteration more elusive, more formidable than its predecessor.

One ingenious and insidious tactic exploited by these cyber adversaries is the diversionary use of Apple's TestFlight, a trusted beta testing platform, as a trojan horse for their malware. Upon clampdown by Apple, the hackers, exhibiting an unsettling level of adaptability, inveigle users to endorse MDM profiles, hitherto reserved for corporate device management, thereby chaining these unknowing participants to their will.

How To Protect

Against this stark backdrop, the question of how one might armor oneself against such predation looms large. It is a question with no simple answer, demanding vigilance and proactive measures. 

General Vigilance : Aware of the Trojan's advance, Apple is striving to devise countermeasures, yet individuals can take concrete steps to safeguard their digital lives.

Consider Lockdown Mode:  It is imperative to exhibit discernment with TestFlight installations, to warily examine MDM profiles, and seriously consider embracing the protective embrace of Lockdown Mode. Activating Lockdown Mode on an iPhone is akin to drawing the portcullis and manning the battlements of one's digital stronghold. The process is straightforward: a journey to the settings menu, a descent into privacy and security, and finally, the sanctification of Lockdown Mode, followed by a device restart. It is a curtailment of convenience, yes, but a potent defense against the malevolence lurking in the unseen digital thicket.

As 'GoldPickaxe' insidiously carves its path into the iOS realm—a rare and unsettling occurrence—it flags the possible twilight of the iPhone's vaunted reputation for tight security. Should these shadow operators set their sights beyond Southeast Asia, angling their digital scalpels towards the U.S., Canada, and other English-speaking enclaves, the consequences could be dire.

Conclusion

Thus, it is imperative that as digital citizens, we fortify ourselves with best practices in cybersecurity. Our journey through cyberspace must be cautious, our digital trails deliberate and sparse. Let the specter of iPhone malware serve as a compelling reason to arm ourselves with knowledge and prudence, the twin guardians that will let us navigate the murky waters of the internet with assurance, outwitting those who weave webs of deceit. In heeding these words, we preserve not only our financial assets but the sanctity of our digital identities against the underhanded schemes of those who would see them usurped.

References 

• https://www.timesnownews.com/technology-science/new-ios-malware-stealing-face-id-data-bank-infos-on-iphones-how-to-protect-yourself-article-107761568
• https://www.darkreading.com/application-security/ios-malware-steals-faces-defeat-biometrics-ai-swaps
• https://www.tomsguide.com/computing/malware-adware/first-ever-ios-trojan-discovered-and-its-stealing-face-id-data-to-break-into-bank-accounts

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Executive Summary:

The claim of a video of  US President Joe Biden dozing off during a television interview is digitally manipulated . The original video is from a 2011 incident involving actor and singer Harry Belafonte. He seems to fall asleep during a live satellite interview with KBAK – KBFX - Eyewitness News. Upon thorough analysis of keyframes from the viral video, it reveals that US President Joe Biden’s image was altered in Harry Belafonte's video. This confirms that the viral video is manipulated and does not show an actual event involving President Biden.

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Claims:

A video shows US President Joe Biden dozing off during a television interview while the anchor tries to wake him up.

Fact Check:

Upon receiving the posts, we watched the video then divided the video into keyframes using the inVid tool, and reverse-searched one of the frames from the video.

We found another video uploaded on Oct 18, 2011 by the official channel of KBAK - KBFX - Eye Witness News. The title of the video reads, “Official Station Video: Is Harry Belafonte asleep during live TV interview?”  

The video looks similar to the recent viral one, the TV anchor could be heard saying the same thing as in the viral video. Taking a cue from this we also did some keyword searches to find any credible sources. We found a news article posted by Yahoo Entertainment of the same video uploaded by KBAK - KBFX - Eyewitness News.

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Upon thorough investigation from reverse image search and keyword search reveals that the recent viral video of US  President Joe Biden dozing off during a TV interview is digitally altered to misrepresent the context. The original video dated back to 2011, where American Singer and actor Harry Belafonte was the actual person in the TV interview but not US  President Joe Biden.

Hence, the claim made in the viral video is false and misleading.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the viral video claiming to show US President Joe Biden dozing off during a television interview is digitally manipulated and inauthentic. The video is originally from a 2011 incident involving American singer and actor Harry Belafonte. It has been altered to falsely show US President Joe Biden. It is a reminder to verify the authenticity of online content before accepting or sharing it as truth.

• Claim:  A viral video shows in a television interview US President Joe Biden dozing off  while the anchor tries to wake him up.
• Claimed on: X (Formerly known as Twitter)
• Fact Check: Fake & Misleading