New scam turns PIX copy and paste into online purchases via computer; Watch how to protect yourself

A young man in front of a computer screen – Photography: Sophia Mayer/g1

Criminals have begun implementing a new scam that steals money from victims when they make online purchases and choose to pay via PIX, in copy and paste mode. (See how to protect yourself).

According to cybersecurity company Kaspersky, the fraudulent scheme only works because, first, the fraudster manages to install a virus (malware) on a person’s computer or laptop.

The technology is not new, But this is the first time this has happened with PIX. The company remembers that The attack does not happen on cell phones.

“The virus is like another virus that was attacked by changing the bar code of bank vouchers. It does nothing wrong to the user and relies on distraction,” explains Lukas Lago, a member of the Aaron Swartz Institute for Cyber Activism.

Learn how the new scam works:

🏴‍☠️ Infection with the virus, called GoPIX, first occurred through malicious ads on Google, according to Kaspersky. Criminals buy search engine space, use misspelled terms of “WhatsApp Web” and even “Correios,” and trick the victim;
💻 When someone clicks on this ad thinking it’s real, their computer gets infected with the GoPIX virus. The virus then starts spying on the victim and detects when they make an online purchase and choose to pay via copy and paste PIX;
💵 When arriving at the payment screen, “the customer just needs to copy and paste a code into the PIX system to make the payment. The malware intercepts this code and changes it so that the criminal’s PIX key is entered instead of the criminal’s PIX key.” Store key,” explains the company.

Hey g1 I contacted Google for comment on the manipulated ads, but had not received a response as of the latest update to this report.

to request g1Expert Lucas Lago, member of the Aaron Swartz Cyber Activity Institute, shared some tips to protect yourself from scams:

📱 The basic advice is not to make PIX without checking with the person who will receive the money. “The apps will indicate the name, account and other information of the person you are transferring to. It is important to always check this,” says Lago.
🔎 He also advises you to check the links on Google first and make sure that the name that appears there is correct.
🦠 Use antivirus software on your cell phone and computer;
🖥 If any PIX is converted, you need to check your computer and cell phone.