Microsoft Warns Windows Users—Change Your Browser As New Attacks Underway

 

Microsoft Issues Warning for Chrome Users Amid Sophisticated New Cyber Threat

Microsoft has issued a security alert for Google Chrome users after detecting a highly advanced cyberattack capable of stealing sensitive data, including browser-stored credentials, digital wallet information, clipboard data, and system details. The warning comes from Microsoft’s Incident Response team, underscoring the severity of the threat.

The newly identified remote access trojan (RAT), dubbed StilachiRAT, employs sophisticated evasion techniques to remain undetected while extracting valuable information. The malware can scan Chrome for configuration details of 20 different cryptocurrency wallet extensions, decrypt saved credentials, and monitor remote desktop (RDP) sessions, potentially enabling attackers to move laterally within networks. Additionally, it camouflages itself using default Windows Services to evade security scans and persist even after system reboots.

Microsoft’s Security Advice—And Its Push for Edge

While Microsoft’s warning highlights the dangers of StilachiRAT, it also serves as a subtle nudge for users to switch from Chrome to Edge. The company recommends using Edge or any other browser that supports SmartScreen, a feature that helps block phishing attempts, scam websites, and malware-hosting domains.

For those who prefer to stay with Chrome, Microsoft advises users to:

• Install security-focused browser extensions

• Download software only from official sources

• Use Safe Links and Safe Attachments in Office 365

• Enable network protection in Microsoft Defender for Endpoint to block access to malicious domains

Chrome’s Response and the Bigger Picture

As Chrome continues to dominate the desktop browser market, Microsoft's intensified efforts to promote Edge have sparked debates over the objectivity of its security warnings. Google is likely working behind the scenes to patch vulnerabilities linked to StilachiRAT while reinforcing its own security credentials.

Meanwhile, Chrome remains a focal point in antitrust discussions, with regulators scrutinizing its dominance. Although Microsoft has been aggressively promoting Edge, it has yet to make a significant dent in Chrome’s market share. However, security concerns—like those raised by StilachiRAT—could play a crucial role in shaping user preferences going forward.