As you’re doing your holiday shopping online this year be aware of “malvertising”

Malicious online ads or “malvertising” is on the rise, and no time is more ripe for online scamming then the busiest shopping season of the year.

Malvertising is a cyberattack that involves bad actors injecting malicious code into online ads. These ads will appear from a Google search to be a genuine website, but when users click on the ad they are falling into the attackers trap.

There are several variations on the scam, with some only intending to steal your payment information and others go so far as to try where others get you to download a malicious program and infect your entire computer. They can then use your device to scam people you know or add it to an online botnet user list to carry out other nefarious attacks.

It can be difficult to defend against this type of attack because these attackers go to great pains to set up a legitimate looking storefront and credible looking ad. These types of ads are even found on major search engines such as Google.

There are a few ways you can protect yourself though, here are our five recommendations:

1. Use a Trusted Ad Blocker

• Install a reputable ad blocker, such as uBlock Origin or AdBlock Plus, to block potentially harmful ads. Ad blockers prevent many ads from being displayed, reducing exposure to malicious ones.

2. Enable Browser Security Features

• Keep Your Browser Updated: Ensure your web browser is updated to the latest version, as updates often patch vulnerabilities.
• Enable Pop-Up Blocking: Most modern browsers have built-in pop-up blockers to prevent intrusive ads.
• Turn On Safe Browsing: Enable security settings like Google Chrome's Safe Browsing to get warnings about dangerous sites.

3. Use Security Software

• Install and maintain robust antivirus or anti-malware software that includes web protection. Programs like Malwarebytes or Bitdefender can detect and block threats from malvertising.

4. Be Wary of Suspicious Ads

• Avoid clicking on ads, especially those offering deals that seem too good to be true, free prizes, or urgent requests to "update" software. Even legitimate-looking ads can redirect you to malicious sites.

5. Browse Securely

• Use HTTPS: Stick to websites with HTTPS encryption. These are generally more secure and less likely to host malicious ads.
• Sandbox or Virtual Environment: For extra protection, use a sandboxed browser session (like in a virtual machine) for risky browsing activities.

Cyber security protections are a key piece of the services provided by Valley Techlogic under our technology support plans, at no additional cost. For the holidays we’re also offering a free device for new customers, take advantage of great service and a great holiday offer, partner with Valley Techlogic today.

Looking for more to read? We suggest these other articles from our site.

This article was powered by Valley Techlogic, leading provider of trouble free IT services for businesses in California including Merced, Fresno, Stockton & More. You can find more information at https://www.valleytechlogic.com/ or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/valleytechlogic/ . Follow us on Twitter at https://x.com/valleytechlogic and LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/valley-techlogic-inc/.