VPN利用拡大に伴う新たなサイバー脅威――グーグルが数十億ユーザーに警鐘

Google warns billions of users of new cyber threats as VPN usage expands

Google warns billions of users of new cyber threats as VPN usage expands
グーグルは近年、セキュリティに関する勧告を相次いで発表しており、特にChromeブラウザにおける高深刻度の脆弱性が多数確認されたことから、ユーザーに対して再起動を促す警告を発している

Google has released a number of security advisories in recent years, and in particular has issued a warning to users asking them to restart their Chrome browser after a number of high-severity vulnerabilities were identified.

Google has released a number of security advisories in recent years, and in particular has issued a warning to users asking them to restart their Chrome browser after a number of high-severity vulnerabilities were identified.
また、Androidデバイスの安全性が示唆された調査結果を受け、iPhoneユーザー向けにも個別の注意喚起を行っている

Additionally, in response to research results suggesting that Android devices are unsafe, we are also issuing a separate alert to iPhone users.

Additionally, in response to research results suggesting that Android devices are unsafe, we are also issuing a separate alert to iPhone users.
しかし、現代の政治的・技術的状況を踏まえると、最も注目すべきはアンドロイドの脆弱性やカレンダー招待を悪用する攻撃者に関する問題ではなく、むしろVPNの利用自体に内在する新たな脅威であると言わざるを得ない

However, given the current political and technological climate, it must be said that the most noteworthy issue is not the issue of Android vulnerabilities or attackers exploiting calendar invites, but rather the new threats inherent in the use of VPNs themselves.

However, given the current political and technological climate, it must be said that the most noteworthy issue is not the issue of Android vulnerabilities or attackers exploiting calendar invites, but rather the new threats inherent in the use of VPNs themselves.
グーグルのトラスト&セーフティ担当バイスプレジデントであるローリー・リチャードソンは、最新の勧告の中で、すべてのスマートフォンユーザーに対し、複数のセキュリティ警告を発表した

Laurie Richardson, Google's vice president of trust and safety, announced multiple security warnings for all smartphone users in an updated advisory.

Laurie Richardson, Google's vice president of trust and safety, announced multiple security warnings for all smartphone users in an updated advisory.
特に、英国でオンライン安全法が施行され、米国でも州ごとに法制化が進む中、オンラインポルノグラフィへのアクセスが困難となり、厳格な年齢確認制度の導入により、多くのユーザーがVPNを利用して規制を回避しようとする傾向が顕著になっている

In particular, with the enactment of online safety laws in the UK and the progress of legislation in each state in the US, access to online pornography has become difficult, and with the introduction of strict age verification systems, there has been a noticeable tendency for many users to use VPNs to circumvent regulations.

In particular, with the enactment of online safety laws in the UK and the progress of legislation in each state in the US, access to online pornography has become difficult, and with the introduction of strict age verification systems, there has been a noticeable tendency for many users to use VPNs to circumvent regulations.
こうした状況を背景に、VPNを悪用した新手のサイバー攻撃が急増しているのである

Against this background, new types of cyberattacks that exploit VPNs are rapidly increasing.

Against this background, new types of cyberattacks that exploit VPNs are rapidly increasing.
リチャードソンによれば、脅威アクターは正規のVPNサービスを装った悪意あるアプリケーションを、ユーザーのセキュリティやプライバシーを侵害する目的で、さまざまなプラットフォームに拡散しているという

According to Richardson, threat actors are spreading malicious applications disguised as legitimate VPN services across various platforms with the goal of compromising users' security and privacy.

According to Richardson, threat actors are spreading malicious applications disguised as legitimate VPN services across various platforms with the goal of compromising users' security and privacy.
特に、消費者向けVPNブランドや一般利用者、さらにはポルノサイトへのアクセスを求める利用者層が標的となりやすい

Consumer VPN brands, general users, and even users looking to access porn sites are particularly likely to be targeted.

Consumer VPN brands, general users, and even users looking to access porn sites are particularly likely to be targeted.
加えて、性的な内容を含む広告を利用したソーシャルエンジニアリングの手法も確認されており、こうした手口による被害は今後さらに拡大するおそれがある

In addition, social engineering techniques using advertisements containing sexual content have been confirmed, and there is a risk that the damage caused by these techniques will further expand in the future.

In addition, social engineering techniques using advertisements containing sexual content have been confirmed, and there is a risk that the damage caused by these techniques will further expand in the future.
悪意あるVPNアプリや偽のVPNサービスをインストールした場合、ユーザーはプライバシーが守られるどころか、パスワード窃取型マルウェアやリモートアクセス型トロイの木馬(RAT)など、さまざまなマルウェアによる深刻な脅威にさらされることになる

Installing malicious VPN apps or fake VPN services does not protect users' privacy, but exposes them to serious threats from a variety of malware, including password-stealing malware and remote access Trojans (RATs).

Installing malicious VPN apps or fake VPN services does not protect users' privacy, but exposes them to serious threats from a variety of malware, including password-stealing malware and remote access Trojans (RATs).
これらのマルウェアは、閲覧履歴やプライベートメッセージ、金融機関の認証情報、暗号資産ウォレットの情報など、極めて機微な個人データを抜き取ることを目的としている

These malware aim to extract highly sensitive personal data such as browsing history, private messages, financial institution credentials, and crypto wallet information.

These malware aim to extract highly sensitive personal data such as browsing history, private messages, financial institution credentials, and crypto wallet information.
VPNとは、インターネット上で利用するサイトやサービスと自分のデバイスとの間に暗号化されたトンネルを構築し、通信の秘匿性を高める技術である

VPN is a technology that increases the confidentiality of communications by building an encrypted tunnel between the sites and services you use on the Internet and your device.

VPN is a technology that increases the confidentiality of communications by building an encrypted tunnel between the sites and services you use on the Internet and your device.
Protonによれば、このトンネルはVPNサーバーを経由してすべてのDNSクエリを処理し、デバイスとインターネットの間に介在することで、実際のIPアドレスを隠蔽する役割を果たす

According to Proton, this tunnel serves to hide your real IP address by handling all DNS queries through the VPN server and intervening between your device and the internet.

According to Proton, this tunnel serves to hide your real IP address by handling all DNS queries through the VPN server and intervening between your device and the internet.
多くのVPNサービスでは世界各地のサーバーを選択でき、これによりユーザーは異なる地域からアクセスしているかのように見せかけることが可能となる

Many VPN services allow you to choose servers around the world, allowing users to appear as if they are accessing from a different region.

Many VPN services allow you to choose servers around the world, allowing users to appear as if they are accessing from a different region.
こうした特性を利用して、ストリーミングサービスや各種サイトの地域制限を回避する目的でVPNが活用されている

By taking advantage of these characteristics, VPNs are used to bypass regional restrictions on streaming services and various sites.

By taking advantage of these characteristics, VPNs are used to bypass regional restrictions on streaming services and various sites.
しかしながら、VPNプロバイダーの選定において最も重要なのは、その事業者が信頼に足るかどうかという点に尽きる

However, the most important thing when choosing a VPN provider is whether or not the operator is trustworthy.

However, the most important thing when choosing a VPN provider is whether or not the operator is trustworthy.
VPNプロバイダーは利用者のインターネット接続を扱うため、閲覧履歴などの機密情報にアクセス可能であるという事実を忘れてはならない

Remember the fact that your VPN provider handles your internet connection and therefore has access to sensitive information such as your browsing history.

Remember the fact that your VPN provider handles your internet connection and therefore has access to sensitive information such as your browsing history.
ビジネス向けVPNも基本的な仕組みは同様であるが、主に遠隔拠点から安全に企業ネットワークへアクセスするために用いられる

Business VPNs have the same basic mechanism, but are mainly used to securely access corporate networks from remote locations.

Business VPNs have the same basic mechanism, but are mainly used to securely access corporate networks from remote locations.
英国のNational Cyber Security Centreも、OSネイティブクライアントの利用を推奨しており、サードパーティ製クライアントの利用はセキュリティリスクを高める可能性があると警告している

The UK's National Cyber Security Center also recommends using OS native clients and warns that using third-party clients may increase security risks.

The UK's National Cyber Security Center also recommends using OS native clients and warns that using third-party clients may increase security risks.
このような状況を受け、グーグルはVPNアプリのダウンロードに際して、必ず公式の配布元を利用し、Google PlayではVPNバッジが付与されているアプリのみを選択することを推奨している

In response to this situation, Google recommends that when downloading VPN apps, you should always use official sources and only select apps with the VPN badge on Google Play.

In response to this situation, Google recommends that when downloading VPN apps, you should always use official sources and only select apps with the VPN badge on Google Play.
また、無料オファーや信頼できないアプリのサイドロードは厳に慎むべきであり、連絡先やプライベートメッセージへのアクセス権限を要求するVPNアプリも利用を避けるべきである

Also, you should strictly avoid sideloading free offers or untrusted apps, and avoid using VPN apps that request access to your contacts or private messages.

Also, you should strictly avoid sideloading free offers or untrusted apps, and avoid using VPN apps that request access to your contacts or private messages.
VPNは決して万能のセキュリティツールではなく、IPアドレスを秘匿したとしても完全な匿名性を保証するものではない

A VPN is by no means an all-purpose security tool, and even if you hide your IP address, it does not guarantee complete anonymity.

A VPN is by no means an all-purpose security tool, and even if you hide your IP address, it does not guarantee complete anonymity.
特に、ブラウザのフィンガープリンティングなどによって個人が特定される可能性が残るため、多層的なセキュリティ対策が不可欠である

Multi-layered security measures are essential, especially as there remains a possibility that individuals may be identified through browser fingerprinting, etc.

Multi-layered security measures are essential, especially as there remains a possibility that individuals may be identified through browser fingerprinting, etc.
今後もVPNの利用拡大に伴い、巧妙化するサイバー脅威への警戒を怠ってはならない

As the use of VPNs continues to expand, we must remain vigilant against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.

As the use of VPNs continues to expand, we must remain vigilant against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.