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The Next Ad You Click May Be a Virus

Posted by kdawson on from the simple-solution-suggests-itself dept.

Jay notes a Wall Street Journal report about ad networks unintentionally selling empty space to malware loaders (the link is to a syndicating site that doesn't require a subscription to view). The submitter comments: "The labeling of the fake ad sellers as hackers is pretty bogus; there's no hacking involved. Simply sign up for one of these networks, create your fake site, put up another company's creative, and you're good to go." The incidents being reported go back a few months, but the pattern of this criminal activity seems to be coming clear only recently."EWeek.com, a technology news site owned by Ziff Davis Enterprise, in February displayed an ad on its homepage masquerading as a promotion for LaCoste, the shirt maker. The retailer hadn't placed the ad — a hacker had, to direct users to a Web site where harmful programs would be downloaded to their computers, says Stephen Wellman, director of community and content for Ziff Davis."

11 of 226 comments (clear)

  1. what ads? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    /strokes adblock

    1. Re:what ads? by John+Hasler · · Score: 4, Funny

      No hope for the Web, I guess. Even if I didn't block the ads I'd never click them, and even if I clicked them I'd never buy the products. The Web is going to collapse and it's all my fault. Sob.

      --
      Warning: this article may contain humor, sarcasm, parody, and perhaps even irony. Read at your own risk.
    2. Re:what ads? by Opportunist · · Score: 2, Funny

      Ok, ok, there'd be some beneficial effects to it, but overall I think we'd lose more than we gain.

      --
      We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
  2. The Next Ad You Click May Be a Virus by PaganRitual · · Score: 5, Funny

    Or it may win you ... A NEW CAR.

    Are you prepared to take that risk?

    Hmm ... that's not appearing like it should. It's spelt B-L-I-N-K, right?

    1. Re:The Next Ad You Click May Be a Virus by cyberfunkr · · Score: 3, Funny

      Oblig Family Guy:

      Peter: A BOAT'S A BOAT, but the mystery box could be anything. IT COULD EVEN BE A BOAT. You know how much we wanted one of those.

  3. Re:A virus? How? by interkin3tic · · Score: 3, Funny

    Ads link to malware sites?!? YAWN!

    That was quite a loud yawn.

  4. Re:When will this end? by Korin43 · · Score: 2, Funny

    It's the current 'big thing'. Eventually people will realize you don't make much money with spam and they'll go back to robbing banks like civilized people.

  5. Re:yes, but... by Krneki · · Score: 3, Funny

    Internet Explorer does. Internet Explorer is so awesome, you don't even need to click on an add to get infected. It's will do all automatically for you, there is this new wonderful M$ caching feature that keep clicking the whole Internet for you. Join the botnet close to your home now, all free today thanks to IE9! Remember, iexplore.exe will be always there for you.

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    Love many, trust a few, do harm to none.
  6. Re:We allowed them in by IamGarageGuy+2 · · Score: 2, Funny

    I am interested in your ideas and would like to subscibe to your newsletter.

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  7. Re:Aren't they all? by M8e · · Score: 3, Funny

    Is that bit a 1 or an 0?

  8. Of course they are. That's why it's called... by Klistvud · · Score: 1, Funny

    ... "viral" marketing! Oh, honey, trust me, I'm not infected. I'll lick your abs if you click my ads!

    --
    Intellectual Property: an immaterial non-entity, most fiercely contended by those with no proper intellect to speak of.