That top Google result for Homebrew could infect your Mac

Malicious ads are pushing fake Homebrew installers to Mac users, and the attack relies on trusting the first Google search result.

Attackers are buying Google ads to place a fake Homebrew site above the real one, then trick users into running a malicious Terminal command. The tactic is effective because it leans on routine behavior instead of technical exploits.

Developers and everyday Mac users rely on Homebrew to install software, which makes it a high-value target. The real installation process already involves pasting a command into Terminal, so the fake version doesn’t immediately stand out.

Users expect to copy and paste setup commands, and that expectation lowers their guard at exactly the wrong moment. Attackers take advantage of that trust by presenting a nearly identical workflow with a hidden payload.

Fake Homebrew ads are doing the heavy lifting

Attackers start the flow with a sponsored Google result that appears before the official Homebrew site. A…