Security News > 2021 > May > Targeted AnyDesk Ads on Google Served Up Weaponized App
A fake version of the popular remote desktop application AnyDesk, pushed via ads appearing in Google search results, served up a trojanized version of the program.
The campaign even bested AnyDesk's own ad campaign on Google - ranking higher in its paid results.
"While it is unknown what percentage of Google searches for AnyDesk resulted in clicks on the ad, a 40 percent Trojan installation rate from an ad click shows that this is an extremely successful method of gaining remote access across a wide range of potential targets."
Joseph Neumann, a cyber executive advisor at Coalfire, said Google needs to take more responsibility when it comes to policing its own ad network.
"Companies such as Google need to develop better screening measures for legitimate organizations versus cybercriminals," Neumann told Threatpost.
According to Google, it relies on a combination of humans and automated tools to block abusive ads.