On the internet, we often encounter advertisements across various websites, some tailored to our specific interests and others more generic. Although many of these ads are harmless, some hide a dangerous secret: malvertising.
Malicious advertising, or malvertising, stands out as one of the most insidious cyber threats. Why? Because you don’t have to click on anything or download suspicious files to become a victim; simply visiting a website is enough to put your data and devices at risk.
By understanding the risks associated with malvertising and taking proactive steps to protect yourself, you can significantly reduce your chance of falling victim.
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Unlike traditional malware attacks that require user engagement, malvertising exploits legitimate online advertising networks to gain unauthorized access and deliver malware to unsuspecting users. Malvertising can appear on trusted websites, as attackers sneak their harmful ads laced with malicious code among legitimate ones. Since ad space is sold and distributed through various channels, it’s easy for malicious ads to slip through the cracks. When users click on or simply view a compromised ad, their device can become infected, leading to compromised personal information, financial accounts or devices.
The malvertising process is deceptively simple yet highly effective. When you visit a website that displays advertising, like a news site or social media platform, the ad network gathers data about your device, browsing history and preferences to deliver personalized ads. While legitimate advertisers use this data to display tailored content, cyber criminals leverage it to target vulnerable targets.
Malvertising looks exactly like a regular ad, often mimicking real promotions to blend in. But here’s the catch: you don’t even need to click on these ads to be exposed. Behind the scenes, cyber criminals use drive-by downloads to automatically install malware on your device without you realizing it. These attacks rely on exploit kits to scan your system, browser or plugins for vulnerabilities, such as outdated software. Once the exploit kit finds a weakness, it communicates with the attacker’s server to download a second payload, which can hijack your system, steal sensitive information, lock your files for ransom or add your system to a botnet.
Malvertising can also do forced browser redirects, which take users to malicious websites, exposing them to more threats.
By piggybacking on the ad network, cyber criminals can exploit the broad reach of online ad networks to infiltrate reputable websites with thousands of visitors. Since ad space is sold and distributed through various channels, it’s easy for malicious ads to slip through the cracks. Some cyber criminals have even created their own ad networks to guarantee a presence on popular sites. They initially run clean, legitimate ads to build a trustworthy reputation before switching to malware. Sometimes, they rotate between safe and malicious ads to avoid detection.
The consequences of malvertising can be severe and wide-ranging:
Malvertising is a persistent and evolving threat that requires vigilance and proactive measures to protect yourself and your business.
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As more and more cyber threats evolve, it’s crucial to protect your business. That’s why partnering with an award-winning managed service provider like Thriveon is a strategic move.
Our cybersecurity-intensive approach ensures you can defend against cyber threats and breaches, including malvertising. We can help you comply with regulations and write cybersecurity policies.
Schedule a meeting now for more information.