Today, wherever we go, be it social media platforms, websites, or apps, we encounter ads. Some of them may be relevant to us, but most of those ads are annoying. While a person like me wouldn’t mind watching frustrating and irrelevant ads, I cannot stand the fact that some ads may be malvertisements or contain adware.
Well, bad actors may use ads as a medium to steal our information. But, don’t fret! If you’re aware of how malvertisements and adware work, you can easily steer past them. This article provides a closer look at what malvertising and adware are and how to secure your data.
What is Malvertisement?
In malvertisement, bad actors inject malicious code into ads and send them to advertising networks. The advertising networks then distribute the malvertisements to websites where thousands of visitors watch them.
Here, it’s important to note that in most cases, hackers may disguise the malicious code in ads so well that advertising networks, website owners, or even website visitors may not identify them. Hence, unknowingly, even legitimate websites may display malvertisements.
Generally, clicking on a malvertisement activates the malicious code. However, some are so dangerous that malicious code may be activated simply by visiting the webpage.
What is Adware?
Adware is a type of malware that a user unknowingly downloads since it may be bundled with a free tool or software. Sometimes, adware only causes frequent ad popups on your system and may not steal any data.
However, some adware may also steal your data like browsing or search history to bombard you with tailored-made ads. Also, some adware may redirect you to malicious websites or links, and it’s a possibility that more viruses or malware enter your system.
Key Differences Between Malvertisement and Adware:
The following table explains how malvertisement and adware differ:
| Malvertisement | Adware |
| Malvertisement may only affect the users who visit an infected website or click on malicious ads. | Once adware is installed on a system, it may continuously run in the background and display ads or steal data. |
| Generally, all malvertisements are considered malicious. | Some adware are not malicious and may only bombard ads. |
| These do not track users’ browsing and search history. | They may track users’ browser and search history to display tailored ads. |
| A malvertising content does not need to be stored on your device to work. | Adware starts working once it is inside your device. |
| They are more focused on stealing, deleting, or hijacking users’ data. | The primary goal of adware is to make money from ads. |
| Malvertisements can directly steal or corrupt data. | Besides tracking users’ search or browsing history, adware may redirect users to malicious websites or links. |
How to Stay Safe from Malvertisement and Adware?
Use Reliable Internet Connection:
Most viruses/malware may enter our devices via the internet, and if your device is always connected to the internet, make sure it’s a secure connection. Ideally, a secure internet connection would offer you a safe browsing experience and block viruses/malware from entering your device.
Also, there are a few internet service providers (ISPs) that offer secure internet connections. As for me, I’ve subscribed to Spectrum because besides offering me high-speed internet, it comes with a security suite with all Spectrum Internet packages. It keeps my device secure from any viruses or malware and prevents visiting suspicious sites accidentally.
Use a Virtual Private Network:
Using a virtual private network (VPN) is a great choice to keep your data and device secured on the internet. Essentially, a VPN creates an encrypted tunnel between its server and your device.
All the incoming and outgoing data first goes through this encrypted server, and then heads to its destination. Resultantly, the encrypted server may filter out harmful or malicious content and keep the data secured.
Additionally, a VPN may also alter your device’s original IP address and assign it a fake one. While it does not make your device completely anonymous on the web, it does help a lot. For instance, when connected to a VPN, your ISP would know that you’re using the internet, but it may be clueless about your online activities.
Use Anti-Virus Software:
Anti-virus software may help you filter or scan your device’s contents and root out the residing viruses or malware. Not just this, a reliable anti-virus tool software may also warn you in case you download any malicious content. Plus, some paid anti-virus tools may automatically block your access to restrict you from visiting malicious websites.
That said, keep in mind that free anti-virus software may not be efficient or fail to thoroughly scan your device. Also, keep your anti-virus tool updated to ensure its efficient working.
Use Adblockers:
Adblockers are specifically designed to block ads on applications or websites. And using one to stay safe from malvertisements or adware is a great choice.
Adblockers precisely attack the ad servers that are responsible for displaying ads on a website. By disrupting the connection between ad servers and websites, ad blockers may block all or some of the ads on a website. Also, quality adblockers may not even let ads load on a website and significantly decrease the risk of viruses/malware entrance through malvertisements or adware.
Winding Up: Keep Your Devices and Browsers Updated:
Keeping your devices and browsers updated can help you stay safe from malvertisements and adware. Our devices and browsers may frequently receive updates that include security patches and bug fixes. Additionally, these updates may also cover the existing security loopholes that hackers target.
