Spell-jacking is a type of cyber attack that involves the exploitation of a vulnerability in a computer program or system to inject malicious code or commands into the process of a legitimate spell checker. The attacker takes advantage of the trust that a user has in the spell checker and uses it to execute malicious actions without the user’s knowledge or consent.

There are several ways that spell-jacking can be carried out, but one common method is for the attacker to create a malicious dictionary file that is designed to execute malicious code when it is loaded by the spell checker. The attacker may then send this dictionary file to the victim as an attachment or link, or they may place it on a website and trick the victim into downloading it. When the victim opens the file or clicks on the link, the malicious code is executed, allowing the attacker to gain access to the victim’s system or to steal sensitive information.

Spell-jacking can potentially occur in any application or program that uses a spell checker or other type of language processing software. This could include word processing, email clients, web browsers, and other types of software that are used to input, edit, or process text.

According to a blog post on the otto-js website, the spell check feature in Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge can send user data, including personal identifying information and passwords, to third-party servers when users are entering information into form fields. This potentially exposes users to spell-jacking attacks, which can compromise sensitive information.

Josh Summit

What Happens When You Use Spell Checker

When you use a spell checker, the program checks the spelling of the words in a document or text field and suggests corrections for any misspelled words. The spell checker typically operates by comparing the words in the document or text field to a dictionary of correctly spelled words and identifying any discrepancies. In most cases, using a spell checker is a useful tool for identifying and correcting spelling errors and can help to improve the accuracy and readability of a document or text field.

Who Has Access To My Data In Spellcheck

The data that is sent to a spell checker can potentially be accessed by anyone who has the ability to intercept or analyze the data as it is transmitted over the internet or stored on a device. This could include the software manufacturer or service provider that operates the spell checker, as well as hackers or other malicious actors who may be able to gain unauthorized access to the data.

What To Look For

There are several types of vulnerabilities that can be exploited by attackers to carry out spell-jacking attacks. Some common vulnerabilities include:

Unpatched Software

Unpatched software refers to software that has known vulnerabilities or security issues that have not been addressed by the software manufacturer through the release of a patch or update.

Outdated Software

Outdated software refers to software that is no longer supported or maintained by the manufacturer and may no longer receive security updates or patches.

Unsecured or Weak Passwords

A weak password is one that is easily guessable, such as a dictionary word or a simple pattern of letters and numbers. Unsecured passwords may also be those that are shared between multiple accounts or those that are not regularly changed.

Lack of Security Measures

Lack of security measures refers to the failure to implement appropriate safeguards to protect against cyber attacks and other security threats. This can include not using firewalls, antivirus software, or other security tools, or failing to regularly update and patch software to address known vulnerabilities.

How To Protect Yourself From Spell-Jacking

Modern web browsers typically have built-in safeguards to help protect against spell-jacking and other types of cyber attacks. These may include:

• Sandboxing: This technique isolates the browser from the rest of the system, making it more difficult for attackers to gain access to sensitive information or execute malicious code on the user’s device.
• Security warnings: Many browsers will display a warning message when the user visits a website that is known to be malicious or suspicious. This can help prevent users from accidentally visiting or interacting with malicious websites.
• Pop-up blockers: These tools can help prevent unwanted pop-up windows from appearing, which can be a common tactic used by attackers to trick users into clicking on malicious links or downloading malicious files.
• Automatic updates: Many modern browsers have an automatic update feature that helps ensure that the user is always using the most up-to-date and secure version of the browser.

To protect against spell-jacking and other types of cyber attacks, it is important to keep software and systems up to date with the latest security patches and updates, use strong and unique passwords, and implement appropriate security measures such as firewalls and antivirus software. It is also important to be cautious when using unfamiliar spell checkers or dictionary files and to be wary of links or attachments from unfamiliar sources.

To further protect the confidentiality of sensitive information, individuals and organizations can use encryption and other security measures. By being aware of these potential threats and taking steps to protect against them, individuals and organizations can better protect against spell-jacking and other types of cyber attacks.