Keeping browsers up-to-date is difficult. But the increased frequency of these updates also means that hackers are more likely to use fake browser updates to trick unsuspecting users.

According to a new blog post from Proofpoint, four different campaigns are currently using fake browser updates to spread malware. In fact, one hacker group, dubbed TA569, has been using fake browser updates as a lure to deploy its "SocGholish" malware for the past five years.

Unlike other malware campaigns that rely on phishing emails to infect users, these malware run directly through the browser, clicking on links in emails and messages, clicking on fake ads in social media and search engines, or by accidentally visiting a malicious website.

These fake browser update campaigns are so effective because they use social engineering and exploit the trust users place in their browsers and the sites they frequent.

Whether you are a frequent browser updater or someone who neglects to update your browser, you can easily fall victim to these campaigns as they become more convincing over time. Here's what you need to know about fake browser updates, how to spot them, and what to do instead.

To deliver fake browser updates containing malware, the hackers behind these campaigns first compromise legitimate websites. This way, the website looks like a normal website to the end user, but it is actually a malicious website.

This is done by using JavaScript requests in the background and overwriting existing sites with the lure of browser updates. From here, when users navigate to these hacked sites, they are presented with a pop-up similar to the example above, telling them that they are using an older version of the browser and need to update their Chrome.

According to Proofpoint's research, there are currently four such campaigns that deliver fake browser update teaser emails to unsuspecting users; while TA569 uses these campaigns to deliver the malware SocGholish and NETSupport Remote Access Trojan (RAT), there is also ClearFake, which spreads several different information-stealing malware, including Rogue Raticate (aka FakeSG), SmartApeSG, Lumma, Redline, and Raccoon v2 ClearFake also spreads several different types of information-stealing malware. Unfortunately, fake browser update pages are more convincing than ever before, and many people continue to fall for these temptations every day.

If you're wondering how to avoid being tricked by fake browser updates, here's what you should know: whether you use Chrome, Edge, or Firefox (all of the browsers targeted by these campaigns) You will not see a page that says your browser is out of date. Instead, if you are concerned that you are not using the latest software, you should go to your browser's settings menu and manually check for updates.

Google Chrome also uses a color-coded update system to let you know when new browser updates are available. If you look at the upper right corner of your browser, you will see a balloon next to your profile picture that says "Update. Green indicates that the update was released 2 days ago, orange indicates that the update was released 4 days ago, and red indicates that the update was released over a week ago.

In a statement to Tom's Guide, a Google spokesperson offered further insight into how Chrome's update system works, stating:

"To ensure you are protected with the latest security updates To make sure you are, Chrome periodically loads new versions in the background and updates the browser when you close and reopen the browser on your computer. However, if you haven't closed your browser for a while, you may see an "update now" chip in the upper right corner of Chrome. update Chrome only from the official Chrome toolbar. We recommend that you keep Chrome updated as a security measure. Google Safe Browsing also helps keep users safe by warning them if they navigate to a dangerous site or attempt to download a dangerous file."

To further protect against the types of malware delivered by the fake browser updates mentioned above, you should use the best anti-virus software on your PC and the best Mac anti-virus software on your Mac.

Now that most of our work is done via web browsers, hackers are likely to continue to use fake updates as a means of spreading malware, much like malicious apps on smartphones.