Malvertising

Malvertising (or malicious advertising) is a type of malicious software or code used to target people online through advertising networks. Malvertising is a method of attack used to deliver malicious software, generally with the intent of infiltrating a user’s computer and causing damage.

Malvertising works by exploiting the global infrastructure used to deliver online ads to websites. The attacker first identifies a vulnerable server through which to distribute malicious software. They can then use this to distribute malicious ads to unsuspecting users who are then redirected to the attacker’s malicious domain. Malvertising can be used as a form of attack on consumers, enterprises and even system administrators.

Malvertising is a particularly effective form of attack since it can be difficult to detect. On the surface, malvertising appears as legitimate ads and can be hard to distinguish from normal online ads. Furthermore, the attacker can hide their true nature with cloaking techniques. These techniques can also allow the attacker to avoid detection by antivirus software.

Malvertising can cause a range of issues, such as exposing the user’s device to ransomware, malware, or other malicious software. In some cases, the user may be forced to pay a ransom in order to regain access to their personal information. In other cases, the attacker may collect data from the user’s device for their own purposes.

Malvertising is a growing threat in the online world. To protect against it, users should ensure that their antivirus software is up to date and run regular scans. Also, they should be wary of clicking on any suspicious ads or links.