Windows 10 security: Are ads in Microsoft's own apps pushing fake malware alerts?

guest · Jun 3, 2019

Windows 10 security: Are ads in Microsoft's own apps pushing fake malware alerts?
Windows 10 users say they're being targeted by fraudsters through ads being delivered to Microsoft's apps
June 3, 2019
https://www.zdnet.com/article/windo...rosofts-own-apps-pushing-fake-malware-alerts/

The fraudulent apps are being delivered through native Windows 10 applications like the Microsoft News app, according to Windows-focused site Ghacks.
The example Ghacks noticed claims that a PC is infected with multiple viruses and contains a warning that "personal and banking information is at risk". The ad then encourages users to click a 'Scan now' button, which likely leads to a phishing page or will download unwanted software.

The fraudulent ads were first spotted by German Windows site Borncity. According to complaints on Microsoft's answers site, the fraudulent ads are also coming through Microsoft Games.
Using ads with scary messages to convince victims to install malware is an old trick, but this case is notable since the scam ads are being delivered by Microsoft's own ad-supported apps.
Click to expand...

guest · Jul 17, 2019

Hong Kong malvertiser blamed for malicious ads that invaded Microsoft apps
Security firm tracks down malvertiser who deployed malicious ads in Outlook, Microsoft games, and the Microsoft News app
July 17, 2019
https://www.zdnet.com/article/hong-...or-malicious-ads-that-invaded-microsoft-apps/

The suspect is believed to be a Honk Kong man who operates at least two front companies named Fiber-Ads and Clockfollow, according to an investigation shared with ZDNet this week by Confiant, a cyber-security firm specialized in tracking malvertising campaigns.
Confiant says the suspect uses the two companies to place ads with legitimate ad networks. Malicious code hidden in the ads hijacks users viewing the ads, and redirect them to other sites.
OVER 100 MILLION BAD ADS IN 2019 ALONE
Based on its internal data, Confiant said this Honk Kong-based threat actor has been responsible for over 100 million bad ad impressions this year alone.

"Desktop and mobile devices are targeted in relatively equal quantities, but desktop Windows and iOS are heavily favored by the attacker," said Eliya Stein, a Senior Security Engineer at Confiant.

Over the last few weeks, Confiant has been working with the impacted ad platforms to ban the Hong Kong-based threat actor.
"A growing number of malicious actors in the ad ecosystem are setting up business in Hong Kong where they are somewhat insulated from legal consequences while running their activities in the open," he added.
Click to expand...

Confiant: Hong Kong Based Malvertiser Brokers Traffic To Fake Antivirus Scams — Over 100 Million Ads Compromised In 2019 So Far

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