SEO Poisoning Attacks: How Over 8,500 SMBs Were Tricked Into Downloading Malware Disguised as AI Tools

Imagine searching Google for a trusted software tool—maybe PuTTY or Zoom—only to unwittingly download malware that quietly siphons your data. This isn’t a hypothetical scare: it’s the reality for thousands of small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) targeted by a sophisticated SEO poisoning campaign in 2025.

In this deep dive, we’ll unravel how cybercriminals manipulated search results to spread malware camouflaged as popular AI and collaboration tools, what makes these attacks so convincing, and—most importantly—how you can keep your business safe.

Let’s decode how these threats work, why they’re so effective, and what every business owner, IT manager, and curious reader needs to know.

What Is SEO Poisoning—and Why Should You Care?

SEO poisoning is exactly what it sounds like: bad actors manipulating search engines to promote malicious websites over legitimate ones. By carefully optimizing fake websites with trending keywords—such as “free AI tools” or “download PuTTY for Windows”—attackers ensure their traps appear among top search results.

Here’s why that matters: most users trust Google or Bing to lead them to the right download page. If the first few results look authentic, who suspects a trap?

Cybersecurity company Arctic Wolf was among the first to expose a 2025 campaign that used SEO poisoning to target SMBs with a notorious malware loader called Oyster (a.k.a. Broomstick or CleanUpLoader). But Oyster was just the start—this malicious trend has escalated to include a swarm of malware variants, from Vidar Stealer to Lumma Stealer, all posing as trusted software.

Anatomy of the Attack: How Malware Poses as AI Tools and More

Let’s break down how these attacks typically unfold:

Fake Websites, Real-Looking Software
Attackers register domains that closely mimic official tools, like puttyy[.]org or updaterputty[.]com.
These sites offer “downloads” of popular utilities: PuTTY, WinSCP, OpenAI ChatGPT, Microsoft Teams, and more.
SEO Manipulation
Using black-hat SEO techniques, these malicious sites rise to the top of search results, outcompeting legitimate vendors for high-intent keywords.
Convincing Download Pages
Pages often include realistic branding, logos, and even fake security badges.
The “download” button delivers a trojanized installer—often disguised as a ZIP file or NSIS/MSI installer.
Stealthy Infection
Once opened, the installer deploys malware like Oyster Loader, Vidar Stealer, or Lumma Stealer.
Some variants create scheduled tasks (e.g., every three minutes) to keep their backdoor alive.
Others launch stealthy scripts or drop additional payloads to steal credentials, browser data, or cryptocurrency wallets.

Key takeaway: These attacks don’t just trick users—they outsmart many antivirus and EDR systems by blending in and leveraging large, legitimate-looking file sizes.

Real Domains Used in 2025 SEO Poisoning Campaigns

To illustrate just how convincing these sites can be, here are some of the domains used:

updaterputty[.]com
zephyrhype[.]com
putty[.]run
putty[.]bet
puttyy[.]org

Pro tip: Always double-check URLs, and when in doubt, visit the official vendor’s website directly.

How the Malware Works: From Stealthy Install to Data Theft

Let’s take a closer look at what happens after a user downloads an infected installer.

Oyster/Broomstick Loader

Persistence: Installs a backdoor by creating a scheduled task that runs every three minutes, executing a malicious DLL file (e.g., twain_96.dll) via rundll32.exe.
Evasion: Uses DLL registration (DllRegisterServer) to blend in with normal Windows processes.
Payloads: Can deliver additional malware or open a remote channel for attackers to control the system.

Vidar and Lumma Stealer

Distribution: Usually delivered as password-protected ZIP files, with the password provided on the download page.
Deception: The ZIP contains a massive 800MB NSIS installer—a size designed to appear trustworthy and evade detection.
Execution: The installer runs an AutoIt script or batch file, which then launches the stealer payload.
Impact: Steals passwords, browser cookies, saved credentials, and can even exfiltrate cryptocurrency wallets.

Legion Loader & RedLine Stealer

Phishing Pages: Fakes Cloudflare CAPTCHA checks or tech support numbers to build trust.
Delivery: MSI installers or batch scripts that launch info-stealers or hijack loaders.

Why is this so dangerous? Because the malware is tailored to look and act like real software, and the infection chain is designed to evade both user suspicion and security controls.

Why Are SMBs and IT Pros the Primary Targets?

You might wonder: why are small and medium businesses (SMBs) at the center of these attacks?

SMBs often lack dedicated cybersecurity teams. A single IT professional or generalist may be tasked with downloading and deploying tools for the entire organization.
Trust in popular brands: Employees assume that searching “download Zoom for Windows” or “latest ChatGPT desktop app” will yield safe results.
High-value data: Even small companies store sensitive customer data, financial records, and intellectual property.
Limited security budgets: Lower investment in advanced detection, making attacks more successful.

According to Kaspersky, over 8,500 SMB users were targeted in just the first four months of 2025 via malware posing as trusted AI and collaboration platforms.

The Most Imitated Tools and Brands in Recent Campaigns

Here’s a snapshot of which brands and tools cybercriminals most frequently impersonate:

Zoom: 41% of detected unique malicious files
Outlook & PowerPoint: 16% each
Excel: 12%
Word: 9%
Microsoft Teams: 5%
OpenAI ChatGPT: Unique malicious files mimicking ChatGPT jumped by 115% in early 2025

Bottom line: If it’s popular, it’s a target. Attackers know where the demand—and the trust—lies.

Beyond Download Pages: Phishing with Search Parameter Injection

Not all attacks aim to deliver malware directly. Some campaigns manipulate search results for tech support pages of major brands—think Apple, Bank of America, Facebook, Microsoft, Netflix, and PayPal.

Here’s how it works:

The attacker buys a sponsored search ad pointing to a real help center page.
They append a search parameter so that, when you arrive, the search bar inside the support site displays a phone number they control.
Unsuspecting users call the number, believing they’re reaching the official support line.

Why is this so insidious? The scam number is only visible after clicking through from the ad—never in the search results themselves. This subtle trick makes the scam nearly invisible until it’s too late.

How Social Media & Ad Platforms Amplify These Threats

Search engines aren’t the only playground for cybercriminals. Facebook and other social media giants are routinely exploited:

Fake Ads: Attackers run ads for fake software (like a “new” Pi Network desktop app), prompting users to download malware.
Phishing for Crypto: Malicious ads phish for cryptocurrency wallet recovery phrases or distribute info-stealing trojans.
Marketplace Scams: Networks like “GhostVendors” buy Facebook ad space to promote thousands of fraudulent e-commerce sites, often vanishing before authorities catch on.

Researchers at Bitdefender and Silent Push have documented how single threat actors orchestrate parallel fraud schemes across Meta and other platforms, maximizing reach and profit.

Case Study: Dark Partners Campaign & PayDay Loader

One recent campaign, codenamed “Dark Partners” by researcher g0njxa, showcases just how creative threat actors have become:

Poseidon Stealer on macOS: Fake websites impersonate VPN and AI tools, delivering macOS malware.
PayDay Loader for Windows: Uses Google Calendar links as a ‘dead drop’ to fetch command-and-control (C2) instructions.
Node.js module: Steals cryptocurrency wallet information and exfiltrates data via a hard-coded C2 host.

Why it matters: Attackers are constantly evolving, always looking to bypass detection and exploit trusted brands and tools.

How Can You Protect Your Business and Yourself?

The good news: with a few best practices, you can dramatically reduce your risk.

1. Always Download from Official Sources

Bookmark vendor websites, such as PuTTY’s official site or OpenAI’s download page.
Avoid clicking “download” links from ads or unfamiliar domains.

2. Double-Check URLs

Watch for subtle typos: puttyy.org vs. putty.org
Use browser extensions that highlight verified domains or flag suspicious sites.

3. Educate Your Team

Train employees and IT staff to recognize the signs of fake download sites and phishing tactics.
Simulate phishing exercises to build muscle memory.

4. Use Robust Security Tools

Deploy endpoint protection that checks file hashes and runs behavioral analysis.
Enable browser-based protections and ad-blockers (which sometimes block malvertising, though attackers increasingly check for their presence).

5. Stay Informed

Follow updates from trusted sources like CISA, Krebs on Security, or your preferred cybersecurity news outlet.
Subscribe to threat intelligence feeds.

6. Limit Privileges

Run user accounts with the least privilege necessary.
Restrict the ability to install new software to trusted IT personnel.

What To Do If You Think You’ve Been Compromised

If you suspect a system was infected via a suspicious download:

Disconnect from the network immediately.
Notify your IT/security team (or an external specialist) ASAP.
Do not attempt to “clean” the malware yourself unless you’re qualified.
Run a thorough investigation: Check for persistence mechanisms (like scheduled tasks), review recent downloads, and scan for info-stealer activity.
Change all credentials touched by the potentially infected device.
Contact authorities if sensitive data or funds have been stolen.

Quick tip: Time is of the essence. Malware often exfiltrates data within minutes of infection.

The Big Picture: Why SEO Poisoning Campaigns Aren’t Going Away

Here’s the tough truth: as long as users rely on search engines—and as long as brands remain trusted—attackers will exploit these channels. SEO poisoning’s low cost, high reward, and technical sophistication make it a favorite tactic.

But knowledge is power. The more you know about how these scams operate, the less likely you are to fall for them.

Final thought: Cybersecurity is everyone’s business, not just IT’s. Make caution a habit, and treat every download like a potential threat—until you’re sure it’s safe.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is SEO poisoning in cybersecurity?

SEO poisoning is a cyberattack technique where bad actors manipulate search engine rankings to promote malicious websites. These sites masquerade as legitimate download pages for popular tools but actually deliver malware.

How can I spot a fake software download site?

Look for typos or misspellings in the URL, unusual domain extensions, and design inconsistencies. Always verify the source before downloading, and avoid clicking links from ads or sponsored search results.

Which AI and collaboration tools are most targeted by malware campaigns?

Attackers most frequently impersonate brands like Zoom, Microsoft Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Teams, and OpenAI ChatGPT, among others.

Why are SMBs at higher risk from these campaigns?

SMBs often have limited cybersecurity resources and rely on quick web searches to find tools, making them more vulnerable to SEO-based scams.

What should I do if I accidentally download suspected malware?

Disconnect your device from the internet, alert your IT/security team, avoid using affected accounts, and initiate a professional malware removal process.

Are fake ads on Facebook and Google a real risk?

Yes—threat actors regularly run malicious ads on social platforms, sometimes disappearing before detection. Always verify the legitimacy of any ad before acting.

How can I stay updated on the latest security threats?

Follow trusted organizations like CISA, Kaspersky, and Bitdefender for alerts and guidance.

Stay Secure in the Age of SEO Poisoning

Cybercriminals’ tactics are evolving, but so can your defenses. By downloading software only from official, verified sources and staying aware of the latest threats, you’ll outsmart even the most convincing malware masquerades.

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SEO Poisoning Attacks: How Over 8,500 SMBs Were Tricked Into Downloading Malware Disguised as AI Tools

What Is SEO Poisoning—and Why Should You Care?

Anatomy of the Attack: How Malware Poses as AI Tools and More

Real Domains Used in 2025 SEO Poisoning Campaigns