The web’s having a rough week. Here’s how to browse safely

You recognize the website. You’ve visited it before. You may even have it bookmarked. Then it asks you to do something unusual: install an update, allow notifications, or run a command to prove you’re human. Stop and check first. A website you trust can still display instructions you shouldn’t follow. Our researchers have documented attacks in which criminals hacked legitimate websites and used them to deliver fake verification pages that trick visitors into installing malware. Within the same week, serious problems emerged in several parts of the web’s security infrastructure. Attackers were exploiting two flaws in PHP , researchers disclosed a critical flaw in Brotli software used by Node.js, and eight compromised security certificates raised concerns about how browsers and apps verify websites. The incidents have different causes and levels of risk, but their timing makes this an unusual cluster. PHP is used by about 7 in 10 websites whose underlying programming language is known. Node.js is used by 7.4% of websites with an identified web-server technology, according to W3Techs . Both run websites behind the scenes, so flaws in them can put the sites that rely on them at risk. Most browsers have blocked the certificates, though updates may still be needed for other software and devices. These problems don’t mean you need to stop browsing. But keep your software and security protection up to date, and be wary of unexpected requests. How to stay safe when browsing Check the website’s address, but remember that even the genuine site may have been compromised. The important question is whether the page’s instructions make sense. A familiar website may earn your visit, but that doesn’t mean you should automatically let it run software on your device. In documented campaigns, malicious instructions appeared on legitimate, hacked WordPress websites, not just lookalike domains . A secure connection doesn’t guarantee that a page is safe, either. HTTPS protects the connection between your browser and the site. Browser protections against dangerous content are a separate layer. A page asking you to install software or enter sensitive information still deserves scrutiny, even when the connection is encrypted. Ask yourself: “Does this request make sense for what I came here to do?” Reading an article shouldn’t require opening PowerShell. Watching a video shouldn’t require following a website’s instructions to “repair” your computer. These are familiar themes in ClickFix attacks , which disguise malicious commands as routine verification or troubleshooting steps. You can’t patch someone else’s web server, but you can keep the software on your own device updated. Turn on automatic updates for your operating system, browser, and applications where available, and don’t repeatedly postpone installing them. Updates fix security flaws that criminals could otherwise use to access your files or accounts. Keep your browser’s phishing and malware protection enabled, too. Free browser extensions like Malwarebytes Browser Guard warn about known dangerous websites, malicious downloads, and clipboard hijacking. Treat those warnings as a reason to leave, not as another obstacle to get round. These checks are a useful layer of protection, but they can’t certify that every unflagged page is safe. Use strong, unique passwords stored in a password manager , and enable multifactor authentication on important accounts. These measures help protect your accounts from unauthorized access. If a request involves running code or making changes to your device, verify it independently. If a website claims your browser needs updating, close the prompt and check through the browser’s own settings. If it says an account or service needs attention, check through the official app, help page, or support channel that you open yourself. Criminals often present the harmful step as the thing that will let you do what you came to do: fix the connection, enable the player, or complete the security check. The frustration of being blocked can make it tempting to follow their instructions. Use up-to-date, real-time anti-malware protection on your devices to help stop malware from wreaking havoc or stealing your information. Watch for unexpected content, downloads, redirects, and repeated login requests, even on familiar sites. If something looks wrong, leave the page. If you’re unsure, use Malwarebytes Scam Guard to check whether a request may be a scam and get possible next steps. From reporting threats to removing them. Cybersecurity risks should never spread beyond a headline. Keep threats off your devices by downloading Malwarebytes today . About the author Was a Microsoft MVP in consumer security for 12 years running. Can speak four languages. Smells of rich mahogany and leather-bound books.