New Malware “annoys” you into handing over your credentials
You and your team might already be familiar with basic online security—watching out for phishing scams, avoiding suspicious downloads, and never clicking on strange links. But here’s the twist: as fast as we catch on to these threats, cybercriminals evolve even faster. Their latest tactic is sneaky, stealthy, and designed to manipulate you into giving up your Google login details without a second thought.
Let’s talk about Amadey malware—it’s been on the rise since August, and it’s not playing around. Unlike the usual spammy links or fake attachments, Amadey has a unique method of trapping users, one that’s hard to recognize if you’re not on guard.
The Sneaky Trick: What Amadey Malware Does
The Setup:
Once Amadey finds its way onto your computer, it activates something called “kiosk mode.” If you haven’t heard of it, kiosk mode is typically a feature on public computers that locks down access to one window or application—preventing you from switching to anything else. But when a malicious program uses it, kiosk mode goes from harmless to dangerous fast. Here’s how:
- Your Browser Gets Locked Down. Suddenly, your browser goes into full-screen mode. Your address bar, back button, menus—all your familiar controls vanish. It feels as if your whole computer has “frozen” on this one screen, even though your mouse is working.
- A Fake Google Page Pops Up. At this point, you’re facing what looks exactly like a real Google password reset page. It’s a convincing fake, and its whole purpose is to fool you into typing in your login information.
- You’re Trapped. Normally, if something like this happened, you’d just press Esc or F11 to get out of full-screen mode. But Amadey doesn’t let you escape. These usual shortcuts won’t work, so you’re left feeling confused and stuck.
The Final Move: Stealing Your Info
Here’s where the real danger lies. The moment you enter your Google credentials on that fake page, a second malware program running in the background intercepts your login details. This program is sitting quietly in the background, waiting to collect your sensitive information. With your Google credentials in hand, cybercriminals can access not just your email but potentially other accounts linked to your Google profile, too—spanning everything from personal data to financial accounts.
How to Break Free if You’re Trapped
The malware’s goal is to frustrate you into submitting your password, but you have options to escape. If you find yourself locked in a situation like this, try these steps first before entering any information:
- ALT + TAB – Use this command to switch to another open window or application on your computer, which can help you exit the full-screen trap.
- ALT + F4 – This command forces the current window to close. While it might not always work against malware, it’s a good next step if ALT+TAB didn’t work.
- Open Task Manager (CTRL + ALT + DELETE) – Once you’ve accessed Task Manager, look for your browser in the list of running programs and select “End Task” to shut it down forcefully.
- Restart Your Computer – If all else fails, a hard restart is the ultimate option. Hold the power button down until your computer powers off, or simply unplug it. After restarting, consider contacting an IT expert (like us!) to help check for malware and ensure no lingering issues.
How to Stay Ahead of the Threat
Here’s the bottom line: staying proactive is your best line of defense. Malware like Amadey is designed to exploit the one moment you’re caught off guard, so staying alert is crucial.
- Be Wary of Strange Behavior. If your computer or browser starts acting strangely—like jumping into full-screen mode or behaving erratically—pause and investigate. Don’t ignore unusual behavior.
- Avoid Clicking Unfamiliar Links. If you don’t recognize a link or aren’t sure about an attachment, skip it. Even seemingly legitimate-looking links can lead to malicious sites.
- Double-Check Before Entering Passwords. Any site asking for your password out of the blue should be met with suspicion. Make sure you’re on the genuine website by checking the URL and verifying the site’s legitimacy.
Protect Your Team with Our Expert Training
If you’re wondering how to get your whole team on the same page about security, we’ve got you covered. We specialize in training teams to recognize and avoid even the most cutting-edge online scams and threats. From phishing awareness to safe browsing practices, our training equips your team to stay alert, make smart choices, and protect your business. You can get a free IT security audit by visiting our free IT audit page here.
We can get you setup with free training and also do a quick security assessment to see if there are areas your business can improve in. You can give us a call directly (678) 619-1218 or booking an appointment here for a quick 15 min chat.
Don’t leave your security to chance. Because when it comes to online security, there’s no such thing as being “too cautious.”
