Facebook has very strict policies when it comes to ads that are displayed on the platform, but some of the fake ones still manage to slip through from time to time. One of them is an ad for Google's AI tool, but downloading the app would lead to the user getting malware.
Fake Google Bard App
If you ever see an ad on Facebook that asks you to download a Google Bard app, you can guarantee that it's fake and can lead to hackers obtaining your sensitive data. The ones that the search engine giant has their eye on right now aim to steal the accounts of small businesses in the US.
Since the app contains malware, it will immediately start infecting the device upon downloading. It will then steal social media credentials so that the hackers may take control of the account. Google is trying to tackle the issue as they filed a lawsuit.
According to Gizmodo, the lawsuit's goal is to disable any current domains that are linked to the scam, as well as bar the threat actors. Google has already requested that the fake ads should be taken down on Facebook as well, wherein there are around 300 of them.
So far, it is still unknown what the motives of the fraudsters are, but it's safe to say that it's not good considering that it starts off with stealing social media accounts. There are several names out there to look out for if you ever come across them.
The ads show app names like "Google AI," "AIGoogle," "AIGoogle.Plus," "AIGoogle Bard FB," and "AIGoogleBard." To be on the safe side, it's important to know that the official Google Bard is web-based, meaning that the company doesn't have a native app for it.
Google expressed in a blog post that today's actions are part of their ongoing legal strategy to protect consumers and small businesses and establish needed legal precedents in emerging fields of innovation.
If you are looking for apps provided by tech giants, it's best to check on the official website first or download from official stores as third-party installers can come with malware like the fake Google Bard app does.
Fake Chatbot Apps
Google Bard is not the only generative AI tool that fake apps are based on. ChatGPT has also been the subject of many fraudulent downloads. Fake ChatGPT apps would also spread malware as users download them.
The scam leads the user to believe that upon downloading, they will have quick access to ChatGPT, some even claiming that the app offers the paid version free of charge. The fake apps are usually affecting Android and Windows devices, as per Tom's Guide.
Others don't even use malware to conduct the scam. They simply ask the users to pay a subscription fee to access the full version of the app to get all the features. This, of course, unlocks nothing. The app will also bombard users with ads to urge them to pay for the ad-free version.
