Digitalization brings numerous benefits, but also a variety of threats that affect both users and companies. One of these threats is Malvertising - a method in which cyber criminals use fraudulent advertisements to spread malware or steal financial and personal data. This form of cybercrime combines two worlds: Malware and advertising. Fake ads often look deceptively real, which makes it difficult to recognize them at first glance. This makes it all the more important to deal with this topic in detail and take appropriate protective measures.
Table of contents
What exactly is malvertising?
Malevertising, a short form of "malicious advertising", refers to the Misuse of online advertisingto spread malware or redirect users to fake websites. Deceptively genuine ads are placed to attract users at first glance. These are often ads that promise particularly low prices for well-known brand products or focus on a particular service that is currently in high demand. As soon as the user clicks on the ad, they are redirected to a fraudulent website that attempts to download malware onto their device or steal sensitive data such as credit card details or passwords. What makes this method so dangerous is the fact that it often takes place on seemingly legitimate platforms such as search engines or well-known websites. These ads are so cleverly placed that they are barely noticeable in the midst of real advertisements.
How does malvertising work?
- Creating a fake ad
Cyber criminals develop ads that appear legitimate at first glance. These ads usually advertise products or services that are in high demand and therefore attract potential victims. - Placement of ads on reputable platforms
These fake ads are then displayed on search engines such as Google or on trusted websites via legitimate advertising networks. This gives them an apparent credibility as users assume that ads on such large platforms are safe. - Redirection to a fraudulent website
As soon as the user clicks on the ad, they are redirected to a fake website that either downloads malware onto their device or aims to steal personal data such as login details or credit card information. This is often achieved through fake login forms or payment pages.
Malvertising in search engines and on websites
Malvertising is not limited to search engines such as Google or Bing. These fake ads can also appear on numerous websites that sell advertising space to third-party providers. What is particularly problematic is that these ads are often displayed alongside real ads and are not visible to the average user. hardly distinguishable are. This has far-reaching negative consequences for the companies concerned, as users who fall for such ads often lose trust in the brand whose product was supposedly advertised. The company on whose website the malvertising ad was displayed also loses credibility, as users gain the false impression that this site is unsafe or does not take enough measures to protect users.
Protective measures for companies
Companies face a major challenge here: how can they protect their brand and their customers from malvertising? There are various approaches that companies can take to minimize the risk.
- Use of ad verification services and malware scanners
An important first step is the integration of ad verification services and special malware scanners. These tools automatically scan the ads displayed on your platform or on behalf of your organization for potentially malicious content. These automated screening tools can often work in real time and detect malicious ads before they even appear on the website or in search engines. - Manual checking of displays
Although automated systems can be effective, companies should also perform a manual review of ads, especially for large-scale campaigns or when ads are first served. This double check reduces the risk of a malicious ad slipping through the security net. - Use trustworthy advertising networks
Companies should ensure that they only work with established and reputable advertising networks. Open, real-time advertising exchanges, where ads are displayed without strict verification, are particularly susceptible to malvertising. By focusing on platforms with strict verification procedures, companies can significantly reduce the risk. - Continuous monitoring of advertising campaigns
Continuous monitoring of ongoing ad campaigns is also essential. Tools such as the Google Ads Transparency Center or the Bing Ad Library enable companies to track which ads are being displayed in the name of their company or with their brand name. It is also advisable to monitor frequent typos in the brand name, as fraudsters often deliberately use small variations of the name to deceive users.
Google Ads Transparency Center
The Google Ads Transparency Center was introduced to provide Google users with a way to learn more about the ads they are shown. This tool provides a clear overview of which advertisers are active, what type of ads they are running and in which geographic regions their ads are displayed. Most importantly, it promotes better traceability and control over the ads that are presented to users. A key aspect of protection against malvertising is the ability to identify fraudulent ads and suspicious advertisers more quickly. Through the Transparency Center, users and companies can:
- View details of the advertisers
You can see who is behind an ad and whether the advertiser has been verified. This reduces the risk of falling for harmful or fraudulent ads. - Report suspicious advertisements
If an ad is recognized as potentially dangerous, there are mechanisms to report it. This helps Google to react more quickly to threats and take measures against malvertising. - View historical advertisements
The Transparency Center allows access to an advertiser's previous ad campaigns. This offers additional security, as a comprehensive insight into an advertiser's activities is possible.
This transparency is an effective line of defense, especially when it comes to malvertising. The more information available about an ad and its sender, the easier it is to identify and avoid malicious ads.
Bing Ad Library
Similarly to Google, Microsoft has also developed the Bing Ad Library has created a tool that offers greater transparency in the world of online advertising. The Bing Ad Library gives users insights into the ads served on Bing and other Microsoft services, promoting a deeper understanding of advertisers and their campaigns. The main goal of the Bing Ad Library is to allow users and businesses to browse ads and advertisers and learn about their activities. For political advertising in particular, the library provides detailed information about which organizations are behind the ads, what content is being advertised and how much money has been invested in the campaigns. However, the Bing Ad Library also makes an important contribution to general protection against malvertising.
- Access to current advertisements
Users can search for specific ads to see which ads are being placed by certain companies or organizations. This makes it possible to identify suspicious advertisers more quickly. - Advertiser verification
Similar to Google, advertisers on Bing must also be verified to ensure that they are legitimate actors. This reduces the risk of malware being spread via advertisements. - Possibility of reporting
If users come across suspicious ads, they can report them via the platform. This helps Microsoft to take action against malvertising and remove harmful ads from circulation.
Transparency tools against malvertising
Malvertising is an elusive problem as it often hides behind seemingly legitimate ads. These malicious ads can appear on high-profile websites or across ad networks, undermining users' trust in online advertising. Google and Bing have introduced important measures with their transparency tools to give users and advertisers more control and insight. For companies and organizations, these tools are not only a means of transparency, but also a means of self-defense. Through Regular review of their own ads, companies can ensure that their campaigns are not misused for malicious purposes. At the same time, they can check whether competitors or unknown actors are placing suspicious ads that have the potential for malvertising.
For users, the tools offer the opportunity to be better informed and to report suspicious ads before they can cause damage. Malvertising can be combated more effectively through cooperation between the platforms and users.
What users can do to protect themselves
Users should not only rely on companies when it comes to protection against malvertising. They can also actively help to protect themselves.
- Be careful with sponsored ads
Sponsored ads are a popular way for scammers to advertise fake products or services. Users should always be careful when they come across particularly good deals and not automatically click on sponsored ads. Instead, it may be safer to fall back on the organic search results. - Checking the URL
A simple but effective protective measure is to check the URL before entering a website. Fake websites often have slightly modified URLs that look like the original at first glance. Users should make sure that the URL is spelled correctly and does not contain any additional characters or unusual domains. - Keeping security software up to date
Finally, users should ensure that they always have the latest version of their antivirus and security software installed. These programs can detect malicious websites or ads and block access before they cause damage.
Conclusion
Malvertising is a serious threatwhich can cause considerable damage not only to companies but also to users. Companies need to be proactive by integrating security measures, using trusted ad networks and continuously monitoring their campaigns. Users, on the other hand, should be cautious, especially with sponsored ads, and always check the URL before clicking on an ad. By taking these preventative measures, both sides can help minimize the risk of malvertising.