Malware News Malware locks browser in kiosk mode to steal Google credentials

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

Content source

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/malware-locks-browser-in-kiosk-mode-to-steal-google-credentials/

A malware campaign uses the unusual method of locking users in their browser's kiosk mode to annoy them into entering their Google credentials, which are then stolen by information-stealing malware.

Specifically, the malware "locks" the user's browser on Google's login page with no obvious way to close the window, as the malware also blocks the "ESC" and "F11" keyboard keys. The goal is to frustrate the user enough that they enter and save their Google credentials in the browser to "unlock" the computer.

Once credentials are saved, the StealC information-stealing malware steals them from the credential store and sends them back to the attacker.

Users who find themselves in the unfortunate situation of getting locked in kiosk mode, with Esc and F11 not doing anything, should keep their frustration in check and avoid entering any sensitive information on forms.

Instead, try other hotkey combos like 'Alt + F4', 'Ctrl + Shift + Esc', 'Ctrl + Alt +Delete', and 'Alt +Tab.'

Those may help bring the desktop on the foreground, cycle through open apps, and launch the Task Manager to terminate the browser (End Task).

Pressing 'Win Key + R' should open the Windows command prompt. Type 'cmd' and then kill Chrome with 'taskkill /IM chrome.exe /F.'

If all else fails, you can always perform a hard reset by holding the Power button until the computer shuts down. This may result in losing unsaved work, but this scenario should still be better than having account credentials stolen.

When rebooting, press F8, select Safe Mode, and once you're back on the OS, run a full antivirus scan to locate and remove the malware. Spontaneous kiosk mode browser launches are not normal and shouldn't be ignored.

Malware locks browser in kiosk mode to steal Google credentials

A malware campaign uses the unusual method of locking users in their browser's kiosk mode to annoy them into entering their Google credentials, which are then stolen by information-stealing malware.

www.bleepingcomputer.com