Most people know at this point that when searching for a popular software package to download, you should be very careful to avoid clicking on any of the search ads that appear, as this has become an extremely common vector for distributing malware to unsuspecting users.

If you thought that you could identify these malicious ads by checking the URL below the ad to see if it directs to the legitimate site, think again! Malware advertisers have found a way to use Google’s Ad platform to fake the URL shown with the ad to make it appear like a legitimate ad for the product when in fact, clicking the ad will redirect to an attacker controlled site serving malware.

Don’t click on search ads or, even better, use an ad-blocker so that you never see them in the first place!

  • @[email protected]
    5•1 year ago

    If False Advertising in web/app ads started being prosecuted, the whole Internet economy would be devastated. Would probably be thousands of dollars per violation. Just think of all the scummy ads that appear on news sites or in apps. I even consider those “Download Now” button type ads to be false advertising, they are trying to look like part of the page they are served on, they don’t even tell you what you’re downloading.

    • @[email protected]
      1•1 year ago

      I think there’s a difference between scummy ads like false advertising which is obviously bad, and downright malicious software which it sounds like the ad OP is talking about serves actual malware.

      • @[email protected]
        1•1 year ago

        You may find such things in similar contexts, though I would believe that an ad service willing to serve either would hammer you faster for malicious payloads than confusing download advertisement misdirects.

        I should probably read the article. If the title isn’t misleading, it is possible to use google referral urls as a masking service and pay for visibility on the link :/