The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) advises internet users to use ad blockers as part of a warning against the threat of online scams.
If you spend several hours a day on the Internet, you are probably already using an ad blocker. If not yet, be aware that you are exposing yourself to many unwanted advertisements, but also to threats.
Indeed, the FBI warned users about malicious ads on search engines. The threat of so-called “malvertising” has been around for yearsbut the FBI has now given recommendations on how consumers can protect themselves against this threat.
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The FBI recommends the use of ad blockers
The American agency noticed that cybercriminals buy ads to impersonate legitimate brandssuch as cryptocurrency exchanges. Ads are often placed at the top of search resultsbut with a “minimal distinction” between ads and search results.
Rather than clicking on legitimate websites, some Internet users often fall into the trap of hackers by clicking on the first link displayed in their search engine. The FBI also announces that malicious advertisements are also used to trick victims into installing malware disguised as genuine apps, which can steal passwords and deploy file-encrypting ransomware.
To combat these practices, the FBI simply recommends the use of ad blockers. As a reminder, this isweb browser extensions that largely prevent online advertisements from loading in your browser, including in search results. The problem is that most browsers such as Google Chrome may soon restrict the effectiveness of ad blockers.
Internet users are also advised to verify the web address or URL of any advertisement on which they are about to click. Another tip is to visit the company’s website directly by typing in the correct domain, rather than searching for it on a search engine.
