Adware through identity theft: A threat to businesses

Adware is a type of malware that infects a device and launches its attack through fraudulent advertisements. The victim clicks on the link, thinking it’s the offer they had been waiting for, but in reality, their private and sensitive information is being stolen.

How does an adware attack work?

Its main purpose is to collect our personal information to create a user profile based on our preferences, allowing tailored advertisements to be displayed according to the user’s interests. This type of malicious software can result in sensitive data stored on the device ending up in the hands of third parties without consent and without the user being aware of it.

Cybercriminals can infect their victims’ devices through phishing attacks. These attacks can be launched via email or SMS with an attached link, and the cybercriminal can deploy the adware if the victim clicks on it.

Once the profile is created, when the user opens the browser to access the Internet, the adware begins displaying ads randomly and continuously. Typically, these ads appear in full-screen mode or as notifications, becoming so invasive that they seriously hinder the use of the device, as pop-ups and notifications open continuously.

The goal of this adware is to generate revenue based on the number of clicks or downloads made. However, more recently, variants have emerged that are also used as tools for carrying out malicious campaigns aimed at stealing users’ confidential information, such as banking details or passwords

How do I know if I am infected?

Detecting whether you are infected with adware can be challenging, as these programs are specifically designed to go unnoticed. Additionally, they often disguise themselves on our devices as legitimate software (such as free antivirus programs or other applications).

However, there are signs that may indicate you’ve been a victim of adware:

• Strange icons appear on your desktop.
• A flood of ads or notifications begins to overwhelm your device’s screen.
• Your browser’s homepage has been changed without authorization, displaying a different search engine.
• Some regular websites fail to load properly or show numerous errors.
• Clicking on links redirects you to websites different from what you expected.
• Your browser or computer is slower than usual and may even freeze.
• New toolbars, add-ons, or extensions have appeared in your browser.

How to avoid getting infected with adware

Antiphishing system

One of the main ways cybercriminals infect us with adware or any type of malware is through phishing attacks. To prevent cybercriminals from infecting us with adware, an anti-phishing system can be implemented to protect the email accounts of a company’s employees.

One of the key methods to safeguard email systems is by establishing DMARC policies. DMARC policies are a domain authentication method designed to ensure secure email communication.

Employee training

One of the best ways to protect your company from cyberattacks is through training all employees, both permanent and temporary. Through awareness and training, most attacks that threaten the security of any company can be prevented.

Antivirus

Installing antivirus software helps prevent adware and any type of malware that a cybercriminal may try to install on our device. The ones we install at ESED come with XDR/MDR technology, which allows tracing the origin of the threat, isolating devices that are at risk to prevent the spread and automatically removing it.

Adware is a serious violation of our privacy and can affect the performance of infected devices, rendering them inoperative and impacting the main activities of the company.