20 Jan 2025 | By - Sudha Mariappan

We are constantly exposed to numerous media ranging from banner ads to video commercials. Not all online ads are harmless, though.

Malvertising, on the other hand, is the malicious version of online advertising and has been considered one of the most significant threats to Internet users.

We will discuss and dig deeper into Malvertising, exploring its definition, how it works, and the various threats it presents.

What is Malvertising?

Malvertising, a portmanteau of "malicious" and "advertising," refers to the practice of using online advertising networks to deliver malware to unsuspecting users.

Cybercriminals exploit legitimate advertising platforms to inject malicious code into advertisements, which then infect users' devices when they interact with those ads.

How Malvertising Works:

1. Compromised ad networks: Hackers compromise legitimate advertising networks, get hold of their systems, and inject malicious codes into the adverts, which can be disseminated to a huge web of websites and apps.

2. Malicious ad servers: Cybercriminals deploy their malicious ad servers, which push malware directly on users' sides. Websites or apps incorporating these bad ads often skip the major ad networks.

3. Exploiting vulnerabilities: Malvertising exploits vulnerabilities in browsers, operating systems, or software applications. This often involves leveraging zero-day exploits, vulnerabilities unknown to software vendors without available patches.

Types of Malvertising:

1. Drive-by downloads: Malware is downloaded onto the victim's computer by merely accessing a website with infected ads. Malicious scripts in such ads automatically install malware without the user's consent.

2. Exploit Kits: Bundles of software exploits targeting known vulnerabilities in web browsers, operating systems, or other software. Malvertisers use these kits to infect users through unpatched vulnerabilities.

3. Ransomware: Malvertising spreads ransomware that encrypts a user's files, demanding payment for decryption. It can lock sensitive data, leaving victims powerless until the ransom is paid.

4. Cryptojacking: Unauthorized use of another user's computer for mining cryptocurrency. Malvertisers pass cryptojacking malware through infected ads, secretly mining cryptocurrency while consuming system resources and slowing devices.

How to Stay Safe from Malvertising?

1. Keep All Your Software Up to Date: Update your operating system, web browser, and other software applications regularly with the latest security patches to prevent vulnerabilities.

2. Install a Proper Anti-malware Solution: Use and maintain a strong anti-malware solution to detect and block malicious ads and prevent malware infections.

3. Steer Clear of Suspicious Ads: Avoid clicking on suspicious or unfamiliar ads, especially those that seem too good to be true.

4. Use Ad Blockers: Employ ad blockers to minimize the risk of malvertising. While they may not stop all threats, they significantly reduce exposure.

5. Be Cautious of Free Wi-Fi: Avoid conducting financial transactions or accessing sensitive information over public Wi-Fi networks, as they can be vulnerable to attacks.

6. Educate Yourself: Stay informed about the latest malvertising threats and learn how to recognize and avoid them.

How Malvertising Spreads:

Malware spreads in various ways, targeting vulnerabilities in websites, ad networks, and user devices. Below are the primary methods malvertising spreads:

1. Compromising Ad Networks: Cybercriminals hack legitimate ad networks to inject malicious code, allowing malware to spread across a vast network of websites and applications.

2. Injecting Malicious Code: Ads may contain malicious JavaScript, exploit kits, or drive-by download scripts designed to exploit user vulnerabilities and deliver malware.

3. Exploiting Websites: Attackers identify weaknesses in website code (e.g., outdated software or unpatched vulnerabilities) to inject malicious ads or redirect users to harmful websites.

4. Exploiting Software Vulnerabilities: Zero-day exploits target vulnerabilities in browsers, operating systems, or software applications before patches are available.

5. Social Engineering Tactics: Manipulative ads promise free downloads, exclusive discounts, or shocking content to trick users into clicking and exposing their systems to malware.

Malvertising employs a multi-faceted approach by targeting vulnerabilities in websites, ad networks, and user devices. Understanding these methods empowers users to protect themselves from malicious online advertising.

Impact of Malvertising:

The impact of malvertising extends far beyond the initial infection, causing significant disruptions and harm to individuals and organisations. One of the most concerning consequences is the potential for data breaches and privacy violations.

Theft of Personal Data: Malvertising often tries to steal sensitive personal data from innocent victims. The malware spread by malicious advertisements may enter user systems and silently start collecting login information, financial details, social security numbers, and other personal sensitive information. These data are further used for illegal purposes like identity theft and financial fraud.

Identity Theft: What would you do if all the money was taken from your bank account by a hacker pretending to be you? It could be the worst nightmare. This is why they say, Identity theft is no joke. The identity of the theft of the victim's personal information. Cybercrime can use such stolen information to assume a victim's identity. The issues may further escalate into different severe repercussions, such as fraudulent accounts, accretion of debt, and harm to credit rating. The victim may suffer from the huge time and effort exerted for rectifying identity theft violations.

Besides data breaches and privacy violations, malvertising can cause critical system damage and malware infections. Malware delivered through malicious ads can consume significant system resources, causing devices to slow down.

This could be seen in the form of slow application response times, slow loading times for websites, and general system instability. Such degradation in performance could have a drastic impact on productivity and user experience.

Malicious software will disrupt functionality within the system and interfere with its critical operations, thus interrupting normal usage. This might involve interfering with connectivity to networks, hijacking the functionality of the browser, and even disabling the device to become unusable.

Such disturbances are very problematic to individuals and organizations, disrupting their productivity, with the worst being data or system failure.

Ransomware Attack Malware: Delivering mechanism; malvertising ransomware is malware that encrypts user files, holding them to ransom until their owner pays. As ransomware affects the data in devices, hackers hold that information as 'ransom'.

For its delivery, ransomware has malvertising, and a large-scale malware campaign could cause great harm to any company and users' pockets through immense financial losses.

This goes beyond the initial infection, causing a lot of damage and disruption to individuals and organizations. Understanding these potential consequences helps users take proactive steps to protect themselves and mitigate the risks of malicious online advertising.

Be Alert to Malvertising:

Malvertising is a huge threat, but proactive measures can significantly reduce your risk of infection. A multi-layered defense strategy is key to effective protection.

Keeping Your Software Updated:

Regular Updates for Operating Systems and Browsers: Regularly updating your operating system, web browser, and other software applications with the latest security patches is paramount. These updates often include critical security fixes that address known vulnerabilities exploited by malvertising attacks. By keeping your software up-to-date, you significantly reduce the attack surface and minimize the risk of exploitation.

Install Security Patches: Install all security patches and updates as soon as they are available. This ensures that your systems have the latest defenses against emerging threats, including those specifically targeting malvertising.

Use a Strong Antivirus and Anti-malware Solution: Such as McAfee, Malwarebytes, Bitdefender Antivirus, or Avast.

Real-time Protection and Threat Detection: An effective antivirus and anti-malware solution is required for proactive protection. These tools will offer real-time protection against malware, including those that come through malvertising. They will monitor activity on your system, detect malicious files, and block them from running on your device.

Read Also: Implementing Effective CAPTCHAs While Maintaining User Experience

Regular Scans and Updates: Run full system scans to detect the existing malware infections on your system and remove them. Also, antivirus and anti-malware programs should be kept updated, as frequent updates of such programs protect them from recent malicious threats.

Browsing Safely Online:

Be cautious of suspicious websites and ads. Be cautious when surfing the internet. Be cautious of suspicious websites and advertisements. Avoid clicking on links or downloading files from unknown or untrusted sources. If an ad looks too good to be true or seems out of place, it's best to err on the side of caution and avoid interacting with it.

Avoid Clicking on Unknown Links: Do not click on links in emails or messages from anyone you do not know. Although the link might look like it is coming from a trusted person, it is a phishing attack to redirect your browser to another malicious website.

Use Ad Blockers with Caution: Using ad blockers is one way you can dramatically limit your exposure to malicious advertisements. Use them cautiously, however; they may block some sites, making certain aspects of legitimate websites dysfunctional. Be sure to select reliable ad blockers that can be granularly configured in order to add trusted sites to the whitelist.

Educate Yourself on Online Threats:

Phishing Awareness: Know the most common phishing approaches in relation to spoofed emails, fake websites, or social media. Identify red flags of phishing approaches, such as email addresses that seem uncertain, incorrect grammar, and a request for personal details in urgency.

Knowledge about Social Engineering Tricks: Be updated with social engineering methods being used by cyber crooks to trap people into clicking those malicious links or downloading malware onto the device. Knowledge of those tricks helps people identify and stay away from them.

The Role of Advertisers and Publishers in Eliminating Malvertisers:

1. Implement Strong Cybersecurity Measures:
Ad servers and platforms: Advertisers and publishers should also have effective security measures for their own systems and infrastructure. They should frequently update their software, patch vulnerabilities, and use proper access controls.

2. Data Encryption:
This involves the encryption of sensitive data such as user information and ad delivery logs. It is to ensure that no unauthorized party accesses your sensitive information.

3. Collaboration with Ad Networks against Malvertising:
Collaboration and Information Sharing: Advertisers and publishers should actively collaborate with ad networks to fight malvertising. This includes information sharing on bad activity, domain and advertiser identification, and blacklisting of suspicious domains and advertisers, among others.

As criminals perfect their techniques with every passing day, vigilance will not die any time soon. So stay vigilant.
With developed technology, new types of malware scams are also emerging. The need for knowledge of the latest threats and keeping your security measures up to date is essential.
Cybersecurity awareness is pivotal in helping to beat malvertising.
Being aware of potential threats will help you keep all of your sensitive information safe. Effectively combating malvertising requires collaboration from all stakeholders. Publishers, ad networks, advertisers, and users need to work in unison to share information about those campaigns, implement robust security measures, and develop effective mitigation strategies.

Need assistance in Digital Marketing? Connect with us at info@ontogendigital.com. Subscribe to us for more blogs.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

1. Malvertising is a serious threat: It leverages legitimate advertising channels to deliver malware, exploit vulnerabilities, and steal data.
2. Malvertising spreads through various channels: It can exploit vulnerabilities in websites, ad networks, and user devices, and employs social engineering tactics to deceive users.
3. Malvertising has significant impacts: It can lead to data breaches, identity theft, system damage, and disruption of normal functionality.
4. Protecting yourself is crucial: Key measures include keeping software updated, using robust antivirus/anti-malware, safe browsing practices, and continuous education about online threats.
5. Collaboration is key: Advertisers, publishers, and ad networks must collaborate to improve ad security, implement strong cybersecurity measures, and share information to combat malvertising effectively.

FAQs

Q: What is Malvertising?
A: Malvertising is a malicious form of online advertising where cybercriminals exploit legitimate advertising platforms to deliver malware to unsuspecting users. This involves injecting malicious code into advertisements, which can then infect users' devices when they interact with those ads.

Q: How does Malvertising spread?
A: Malvertising spreads through various methods:

• Exploiting Vulnerabilities: Targeting and compromising ad servers, injecting malicious code into websites, and exploiting software vulnerabilities in user devices.
• Social Engineering: Leveraging social engineering tactics to deceive users into clicking on malicious ads, often by promising enticing offers or displaying shocking content.

Q: What are the impacts of Malvertising?
A: Malvertising can have severe consequences:

• Data Breaches: Stealing personal information, leading to identity theft and financial fraud.
• System Damage: Slowing down devices, disrupting system functionality, and enabling ransomware attacks.

Q: How can I protect myself from Malvertising?
A: You can protect yourself by:

• Keeping Software Updated: Regularly updating your operating system, browser, and other software with the latest security patches.
• Using Antivirus/Anti-malware: Employing a robust antivirus and anti-malware solution with real-time protection and regular scans.
• Safe Browsing Practices: Being wary of suspicious websites and ads, avoiding clicking on unknown links, and using ad blockers with caution.
• Cybersecurity Awareness: Educating yourself about online threats, recognizing phishing attempts, and understanding social engineering tactics.

Q: What role do advertisers and publishers play in combating Malvertising?
A: Advertisers and publishers play a crucial role:

• Improving Ad Security: Implementing robust ad verification technologies, establishing ad quality standards, and ensuring transparency and accountability.
• Strong Cybersecurity Measures: Securing ad servers and platforms, encrypting data, and developing incident response plans.
• Collaboration: Working with ad networks to share information, identify malicious activity, and implement effective mitigation strategies.