Major Websites Hit By Ransomware Malvertising

[mirth]

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/mar/16/major-sites-new-york-times-bbc-ransomware-malvertising

[bbmike]

This will be interesting because you would think major sites would have a plan for this kind of thing.

[mirth]

There have been a lot of problems with ad networks being hacked and used for malware. And it often gets overlooked by the folks who own/run the site. They're expecting the people who run the ad servers to take care of the security. One of the reasons why use of Ad Blockers has proliferated over the past year or so is due to the increase in malvertising.

[Staggerwing]

There have been a lot of problems with ad networks being hacked and used for malware. And it often gets overlooked by the folks who own/run the site. They're expecting the people who run the ad servers to take care of the security. One of the reasons why use of Ad Blockers has proliferated over the past year or so is due to the increase in malvertising.

Quick question- do you have to click on one of the sick ads to infected or is it enough that the ad played while you were reading the host page?

[mirth]

There have been a lot of problems with ad networks being hacked and used for malware. And it often gets overlooked by the folks who own/run the site. They're expecting the people who run the ad servers to take care of the security. One of the reasons why use of Ad Blockers has proliferated over the past year or so is due to the increase in malvertising.

Quick question- do you have to click on one of the sick ads to infected or is it enough that the ad played while you were reading the host page?

Depends on the ad. Mostly I think they have to be clicked on, but I think there flash ads and video embeds around that can get you without you doing anything. If you suddenly find yourself being taken off site without you having done anything, you should be concerned.

This is a pretty good synopsis of the problem - http://www.wired.com/insights/2014/11/malvertising-is-cybercriminals-latest-sweet-spot/

[Huw the Poo]

This is why I use an ad blocker.  It's for security, not because ads are annoying.

[bbmike]

^ I use it because ads are annoying. But nice to know it helps with security as well.  :)

[Staggerwing]

Any recommendations for good ad-blockers for both Chrome and Safari?

[mirth]

This is my favorite

https://adblockplus.org/

[Staggerwing]

Thanks!

[mirth]

I also started using this recently - https://www.eff.org/privacybadger

[mirth]

And this is worth a read - http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/18/technology/personaltech/free-tools-to-keep-those-creepy-online-ads-from-watching-you.html

[bbmike]

This is my favorite

https://adblockplus.org/

+100! I've used that for quite a while and love it.

[edit]Of course, I uh, disable it on sites like, er, Grogheads.  :D

[mirth]

I do have it disabled here and on other select sites.

[bayonetbrant]

just don't block them here