February 2024

Malvertising, short for malicious advertising, refers to the practice of using online ads to spread malware. Cybercriminals embed malware within seemingly harmless ads, which are then displayed on legitimate websites. When users click on these ads, they unwittingly download malware onto their devices, putting their personal information and sensitive data at risk. Bad actors are pairing these efforts with SEO Poisoning to falsely promote malicious websites to higher ranks in search engine results. SEO poisoning relies on users believing the results closest to the top of a search result are the most credible.

“Throughout 2023, adversaries such as LUNAR SPIDER regularly abused Google advertisements to ensure their malicious ads appeared at the top of search result pages. Threat actors such as SolarMarker operators regularly used SEO poisoning throughout 2023.” – Crowdstrike Annual Threat Report

The Dangers of Malvertising

Malvertising poses a significant threat to businesses of all sizes.

1. Data Breaches: Malvertising can lead to data breaches, exposing sensitive information such as customer data, financial records, and intellectual property.

2. Financial Losses: A successful malvertising attack can result in financial losses due to theft, ransom demands, or damage to business operations.
3. Reputation Damage: A data breach caused by malvertising can tarnish a company’s reputation and erode customer trust, leading to a loss of business and credibility.

Rolle IT Protects clients from Malvertising threats.

1. Ad Filtering: Ad filtering services block malicious ads from being displayed on your website or network.
2. Timely Software Updates: Ensuring that all software, including web browsers, plugins, and security software, is regularly updated with the latest patches and security fixes.
3. Employee Training : Train employees to recognize the signs of malvertising and avoid clicking on suspicious ads or links.
4. Establish Secure Connections: Encourage employees to use secure connections, such as virtual private networks (VPNs), when accessing the internet, especially on public Wi-Fi networks.
5. Monitor Network Traffic: Monitor network traffic for signs of unusual activity or unauthorized access, which may indicate a malvertising attack in progress.
6. Endpoint Protection: Install and maintain endpoint protection solutions, such as antivirus software and intrusion detection systems, to detect and block malware infections.

Malvertising is a pervasive threat that can have serious consequences for businesses. By taking proactive measures to protect against malvertising, businesses can safeguard their data, finances, and reputation from harm. By staying vigilant and implementing robust security measures, businesses can minimize the risk of falling victim to malvertising attacks.