Helping Banish Malicious Adverts – and Drive a Secure Advertising Ecosystem
11th November 2024
By the NCSC
Online adverts are everywhere – they help fund the free content and services we’ve come to rely on. But malicious adverts can do serious harm, infecting devices with malware, tricking people into giving up their personal details, or even spreading disinformation.
That’s why the NCSC is working with the advertising industry to banish malicious adverts and drive a secure advertising ecosystem.
The problem with malicious adverts
Malicious adverts can take many forms, but some of the most common include:
- Malvertising: This is when malware is hidden in an online advert. When someone clicks on the advert, the malware is downloaded onto their device.
- Phishing: This is when a malicious advert tries to trick people into giving up their personal details, such as their passwords or credit card numbers.
- Disinformation: This is when a malicious advert spreads false or misleading information.
Malicious adverts can have a serious impact on individuals and businesses. They can:
- Damage devices: Malware can damage devices, steal data, and even lock users out of their accounts.
- Cost money: Phishing scams can trick people into giving up their financial details, which can lead to financial loss.
- Damage reputations: Disinformation can damage the reputations of businesses and individuals.
What the NCSC is doing
The NCSC is working with the advertising industry to banish malicious adverts and drive a secure advertising ecosystem. This includes:
- Working with the advertising industry to develop new technologies and standards to detect and block malicious adverts.
- Educating the public about the dangers of malicious adverts and how to avoid them.
- Working with law enforcement to investigate and prosecute those responsible for creating and distributing malicious adverts.
What you can do
There are a number of things you can do to help banish malicious adverts and drive a secure advertising ecosystem, including:
- Be aware of the dangers of malicious adverts. Don’t click on adverts that look suspicious or come from unknown sources.
- Use a reputable ad blocker. An ad blocker can help to block malicious adverts from being displayed on your device.
- Keep your software up to date. Software updates often include security patches that can help to protect your device from malware.
- Report malicious adverts to the NCSC. If you see a malicious advert, please report it to the NCSC.
Together, we can banish malicious adverts and drive a secure advertising ecosystem.
Helping banish malicious adverts – and drive a secure advertising ecosystem
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UK National Cyber Security Centre a new article on 2024-11-11 10:39 titled “Helping banish malicious adverts – and drive a secure advertising ecosystem”. Please write a detailed article on this news item, including any relevant information. Answers should be in English.
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