A browser is our connection to the world wide web – it allows us to access websites, gain information, make online purchases, the list goes on. As the key to our internet usage, browsers can also be the key to unlocking our personal information. So, unfortunately, browser flaws can have a major impact on users. And now, this exact scenario has come to life, as news emerged this week about a flaw in both Safari and Microsoft’s Edge browser that could expose users to a cyberattack.
You know how when you type in a URL into your web browser, it can often take a few seconds to load? This flaw relies on exactly that. While a safe URL is loading, a cybercriminal could actually edit and update the address bar and redirect users to a potentially malicious website. Essentially, a hacker could send a user to an attack site of their choosing and make the user believe they’re still accessing a safe site.
Of course, the security researcher who discovered the vulnerability informed both Microsoft and Apple and waited 90 days until publishing his report about the flaw. As of now, Microsoft has issued a fix, but Apple has not.
