Security News > 2023 > January > Google ads increasingly pointing to malware

The FBI has recently warned the public about search engine ads pushing malware diguised as legitimate software - an old tactic that has lately resulted in too many malicious ads served to users searching for software, cracked software, drivers - anything that can be downloaded, really - via Google and Bing.

The malicious ads often manage to be the first link users see when searching for software on Google, and point to a domain that resembles the original software manufacturer's page.

While Google and Microsoft are trying to keep their users safe, it's becoming obvious that they are failing to keep pace with the rapid change of tricks employed by cybercriminals to push those ads.

As some ads are removed and new ones inevitably spring up, we are forced to do what we can to protect themselves.

Just being aware of this danger and knowing about the prevalence of these malicious ads will help.

The best advice may be to completely avoid clicking on Google and Bing ads - either by recognizing them and avoiding them consciously, or by installing an ad-blocking extension that will stop those ads from being displayed.

News URL

https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2023/01/18/google-ads-increasingly-pointing-to-malware/