Malvertising Uses Online Ads to Spread Malware and Scams
· 1h ago · Originally reported by PPC Land
Malvertising refers to the practice of using digital ads to distribute malware, scams, or unwanted redirects. Cybercriminals exploit ad networks and search ads to reach users on legitimate websites, making it difficult for users to distinguish harmful ads from safe ones.
Why it matters
Understanding malvertising is important because it highlights a major security risk in digital advertising, affecting both users and the reputation of ad-supported websites.
Explain it like I’m new here
It's like someone sneaking a dangerous flyer into your mailbox that looks real but actually tries to trick or harm you.
Terms in this story
Malvertising
Malvertising is using online ads to spread malware, scams or forced redirects, by sneaking harmful code or deceptive landing pages into ad creatives served through legitimate ad networks.
Ad network
An ad network is a company that aggregates ad space from many publishers and resells it to advertisers, usually in packaged bundles and often with its own pricing and targeting.
Search advertising
Search advertising is placing paid ads alongside search engine results, triggered by the words people search for and usually charged per click.
Reach
Reach is the number (or percentage) of unique people or households who saw an ad at least once during a campaign, as opposed to the total number of impressions.
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