The Growing Threat of Malvertising And What You Can Do About It

Please welcome Egline Samoei to 21st Century Tech Blog. Egline is a gifted writer who constantly keeps on top of the latest technology trends. She has been monitoring the world of online threats and is based in Nairobi, Kenya where she has a a digital marketing agency. Egline is well-informed about the newest browsing dangers and in this, her first offering here tackles the hidden threat of malvertising.

Unfamiliar with the term, malvertising is a coined word that describes a growing online practice involving embedded malware, and malicious software attached to company and individual webpages, social media sites, photographs, illustrations, charts, download links, and online advertising. Click on any of this content with malware aboard and your phone, tablet or PC becomes infected.

Since online advertising is big business worth hundreds of billions of dollars annually, malicious online actors happily take advantage of user interest in what is being sold and make content that deceptively entraps you.

You may be familiar with the term phishing. Malvertising is similar and may be combined with phishing in a targeted attack. But I will leave Egline to tell you more and how you can protect yourself from malicious online threats. As always, your comments and questions are welcome.

Have you ever clicked on an online ad that led you somewhere you didn’t expect? That might have been malvertising, where hackers hide malicious code within seemingly harmless ads. It’s more common than you might think. A recent study found that 777 million users may have been exposed to unsafe ads. 

Now, attacks are everywhere, on news sites, gaming pages, and even places you usually trust. One wrong mouse click can infect your devices with viruses or spyware. So before you unknowingly contribute to the statistics, let’s explore malvertising and the simple steps you can take to protect yourself. 

How Malvertising Works

Malware is bad software that nobody wants. Bad actors on the Internet embed it into online content and in malvertising into ads specifically. The ads are designed to do more than just sell you something. They secretly install harmful software on your computer or phone. 

Let’s talk about a few ways hackers use malvertising to mess with you:

• Drive-by Downloads – This happens when you visit a website and, without clicking anything, a malicious program starts downloading to your device. 
• Redirects to Malicious Sites – Sometimes, clicking on an ad doesn’t take you to where you expect. Instead, you end up at a website that looks real but is controlled by hackers. These sites can trick you into giving away personal information or downloading more malware.
• Exploit Kits – These are tools that hackers use to take advantage of weaknesses in your browser. By targeting these vulnerabilities, hackers can inject malware without much effort.

The Damage Malvertising Can Do

Malvertising can cause a lot of trouble. Here’s how it impacts you and what to look for:

• Data Theft – Malicious ads often try to steal your personal information. This could be anything from passwords and email addresses to more sensitive data like bank account details. Once cybercriminals have this information, they can use it to steal your money or even your identity.

• Unauthorized Use of Resources – Some malware turns your device into a part of a botnet. Botnets are networks of private computers infected with malicious software controlled by malicious online actors. This means your computer or phone can be used to send spam or attack other systems without your knowledge.

Now, how do you tell if you’ve been hit by malvertising? Well, your device starts running slower than usual. And you may notice apps or programs that you didn’t install.

How to Protect Yourself from Malvertising

Here’s a closer look at each step you can take to guard against malvertising threats:

Ad Blockers

One of the most effective ways to shield yourself from malvertising is to use ad blockers. They help keep sneaky, harmful ads at bay, making your browsing safer. 

One well-known ad blocker is uBlock Origin. It’s a strong choice for many users because it’s efficient at blocking unwanted ads. However, if you’re using a Mac, uBlock Origin for Safari is unavailable. Don’t worry; there are other options available to Safari users.

A good alternative is AdLock. It’s designed to block ads and protect you from malicious websites, much like uBlock Origin. This powerful tool also shields you from other online snoops that can invade your privacy and security.

Software Updates

One of the simplest defences against malvertising is keeping your software up to date. This includes everything from your operating system and web browser to smaller plugins like Adobe Flash or Java. 

Developers regularly release updates that fix security vulnerabilities. Ignoring update notifications can leave you open to attacks that exploit old weaknesses. So, make it a habit to install updates as soon as they become available, or set your devices to update automatically.

Antivirus and Anti-Malware

Even with careful practices, some threats might slip through. That’s where antivirus and anti-malware software come in. These tools provide real-time protection by scanning and blocking malicious programs before they can do any harm. 

So, make sure that your antivirus software is set to update automatically to protect against the newest threats. And don’t forget to conduct regular full-system scans. This practice can catch anything that might have slipped past the real-time shield.

User Awareness

The most critical tool in your arsenal is your awareness. Malvertisers often rely on deception, ads that look legitimate but lead to harmful sites or offer incredible deals that simply are too good to be true. 

That’s why educating yourself on the common signs of suspicious ads, such as poor spelling, unprofessional visuals, or offers that require unnecessary personal information is essential. Always be cautious when clicking on ads, even on trusted sites, as cybercriminals can infiltrate even the most reputable ad networks.

That’s a Wrap

Malvertising is dangerous. Remember, you have the power to fight back against it! Stay alert, be suspicious of strange ads, and keep your software up-to-date. Always think twice before clicking on ads, and keep your devices secure. Stay safe out there!