Rising Threat: How Malvertising Targets Google Searches and What You Can Do

Malvertising—the practice of embedding malicious code in online ads—is becoming a major threat to internet users. This emerging cybercrime tactic is increasingly targeting Google searches and mainstream websites, putting both individuals and corporations at risk. Here’s what you need to know about this rising threat and how to protect yourself.

What is Malvertising?

Malvertising refers to malicious advertising campaigns designed to infect computers or steal information. These ads can appear in various places:

• Google Search Results: Malicious ads might show up in sponsored search results, pretending to be legitimate offers.
• Mainstream Websites: Even well-known sites can unknowingly host these rogue ads.
• Social Media Platforms: Ads on social media can also be compromised.

Why It Matters: Malvertising isn’t just about annoying pop-ups. It can lead to severe consequences like identity theft, malware infections, and financial losses. With a reported 42% increase in malvertising incidents in the U.S. as of Fall 2023, the threat is growing.

How Malvertising Works

1. Targeted Ads: Cybercriminals use sophisticated techniques to make their ads look legitimate. They often mimic well-known brands to deceive users.
2. Drive-by Downloads: Simply visiting a compromised site can trigger downloads of malicious software without the user’s consent.
3. Phishing Schemes: Fake ads can lead to phishing pages that steal sensitive information by masquerading as legitimate login pages.

Real-World Examples of Malvertising

Recent incidents highlight the seriousness of this threat:

• Lowe’s: Employees were targeted through a Google ad for an employee portal with a misspelled URL. The ad led to a phishing page designed to steal credentials.
• Slack: An ad impersonated Slack, directing users to a fake page that tried to trick them into downloading malicious software.

Jérôme Segura of Malwarebytes notes, “What I’m seeing is just the tip of the iceberg.” The sophistication of these attacks is increasing, making them harder to detect.

Why Google Isn’t the Problem

While Google is a primary target for these attacks due to its extensive reach and trustworthiness, it’s not solely to blame. Malvertising can affect any search engine or website that hosts ads. Stuart Madnick from MIT Sloan School of Management explains, “You see something appearing on a Google search, you kind of assume it is something valid.”

How to Protect Yourself from Malvertising

Here are some practical steps to safeguard yourself from malicious ads:

• Avoid Clicking Sponsored Links: Often, the organic results below the sponsored ads are safer. Sponsored ads have a higher risk of being compromised.
• Verify URLs: Before taking any action, check the URL to ensure it’s the legitimate site. For instance, ensure you’re on Gap.com rather than a look-alike domain.
• Update Your Software: Keep your browser, operating system, and antivirus software up-to-date. This reduces vulnerabilities that could be exploited by drive-by downloads.
• Use Ad Blockers: Extensions like uBlock Origin can help filter out ads, reducing your exposure to potential threats.
• Install Privacy Browsers: Browsers like Brave or DuckDuckGo offer built-in ad-blocking features and enhance your privacy online.

Steps for Corporate Employees

Malvertising also poses a risk to corporate environments:

• Be Cautious with Ads: Employees should avoid clicking on ads that seem out of place or lead to unfamiliar sites.
• Verify Internal Resources: Double-check URLs for internal resources and portals. If unsure, contact IT for verification.
• Report Suspicious Ads: If you encounter a suspicious ad, report it to the search engine or website for investigation and removal.

Conclusion

The rise of malvertising presents a growing threat to internet users, particularly through popular search engines and mainstream websites. By understanding how these malicious ads work and taking proactive steps to protect yourself, you can reduce your risk of falling victim to these cyberattacks.

As Erich Kron of KnowBe4 advises, “Avoid clicking on suspicious links and always verify URLs.” With the right precautions, you can navigate the web more safely and confidently.