Among the threats surfacing in the modern Internet space, Malvertising is considered one of the most effective and dangerous. Malvertising is a cyber-attack where malicious code is concealed in genuine and legal internet advertisements.
This blog post focuses on the functioning of Malvertising, its ability to deceive users into installing malware, and ways to prevent this.
What is Malvertising?
Malvertising refers to the use of advertisements as a tool to deliver malware. These malicious ads can be accessed through normal websites and are sometimes hard to distinguish. Hackers use different tricks to insert malware into an ad, which can in turn infect the users’ devices when they interact with the ad or even just when it loads.
How Malvertising Works?
Ad Networks as a Vector
Ad networks are the core of the entire online advertising process, which unites advertisers and publishers (sellers of the site space). Hackers take advantage of these networks in placing their malicious advertisements, if approved they spread across various sites. Since ad networks mostly operate automatically, it becomes easy for hazardous ads to evade identification at first.
Taking Advantage of Flaws in Ad Platforms
Cybercriminals exploit weaknesses in the ad platforms. Such issues as poor coding of the ad-serving scripts or lack of proper review mechanisms for ad contents. They can evade security measures by placing it into advertisements that appear harmless but contain viruses.
Redirects and Exploit Kits
Some of the Malvertising attacks redirect the users to a new website where an exploit kit is launched. These kits are designed to perform a scan on the victim’s machine, and then exploit the found weakness to deliver the malware. Sometimes it occurs when a user is seeing an advertisement where it can lead to a redirection and the subsequent infection.
Payload Delivery
The payload is delivered once the user’s system is compromised. This could be ransomware which is a type of malware that encrypts your files and you are forced to pay in order to have them decrypted, spyware which spies on your activities and steals from you.
Tricks Used in Malvertising
Fake Updates
A popular trick is to camouflage the ad as a notification about a software update, like Adobe Flash or a web browser. If a user clicks on the ad, they are taken to a website that resembles the real update site but which loads malware instead.
Scare Tactics
Others are fake alerts such as fake virus alerts where the users are prompted to click on the ads. The ads may state that your computer is infected and then provide the ‘fix’ which in reality is a virus.
Malicious Advertisement on Reputable Websites
Attackers tend to place infected adverts on highly visited and reputable sites because users tend to trust these sites. People are more likely not to spot an ad on a reputable site and are more likely to click it.
Auto-Redirects and Pop-Ups
Malvertisements can be programmed to take users to dangerous sites or produce pop-ups that are challenging to dismiss. These methods raise the likelihood of the user coming across the malware in the process.
The Impact of Malvertising
Financial Loss
Malware that is delivered through Malvertising results in high costs. For instance, ransomware can extort high amounts of money for unlocking the files. Spyware can also enable identity theft and result in drained accounts and unauthorized spending.
Data Theft
It can also spy on users by acquiring their personal identity numbers, passwords, and other financial details. This information can then be sold on the black market or for more cybercriminal activities.
System Damage
Viruses can do a lot of harm to your computer, delete files, decrease speed and make your machine completely nonfunctional.
Reputation Damage
From the business perspective, an involvement in a Malvertising campaign can harm a business’ reputation in case of personal data leakage. It also undermines confidence and may lead to loss of consumers.
Protecting Yourself from Malvertising
Use Ad Blockers
The best way of preventing one from falling victim to a Malvertising attack is by using ad blocking tools. These tools block ad content from appearing on your browser which in turn reduces the chances of coming across bad ads.
Keep Software Updated
Ensure that your operating system, browsers, and plugins are updated frequently. Most of the Malvertising campaigns target unpatched vulnerabilities of outdated software. This means that updating your software regularly helps you to have the latest security patches.
Install and Maintain Antivirus Software
A good antivirus software can identify and prevent many forms of a computer virus. It is crucial that you frequently update your antivirus software and do a system scan.
Allow Browser Security Measures
Current browsers have security measures that can help shield you against this Malvertising. Banners such as pop-up blockers and safe browsing modes hinder the display of such malicious content.
Exercise Caution & Educate Yourself
Phony ads, exaggerated offers, and panic-inducing tactics are all red flags for Malvertising. Avoid clicking pop-up ads, especially those demanding software or updates. Educate yourself on current cyber threats and how to protect yourself. Understanding Malvertising is a key step in staying safe online.
Conclusion
Malvertising is a severe threat within the sphere of online advertising, as it takes advantage of ads and targets users with malware. Now you know how Malvertising functions and steps to take in order to safeguard you and your devices from this type of cyber threats.
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Swathi
Author
Working IT professional and a Cyber Security enthusiast. Passionate to write about Cyber Security topics and Solutions. I share my insights as I study articles and trending topics in the field of Cyber Security.
