The FBI has recommended the citizens to download an ad blocker in order to safeguard themselves from internet security dangers, as cybercriminals use ads to spread ransomware and steal information.
Trend Micro claims that Royal is the beta version version of the Zeon ransomware that first appeared this year and was linked in August to Conti Team One, one of the organizations responsible for the propagation of the Conti ransomware.
There were three groups of cybercriminals operating behind Conti, one of which switched to Quantum ransomware, another operating the Black Basta, Karakurt, and Blackbyte ransomware families, as well as Royal, and the third being shut down in early 2022, as per a chart that a security expert Vitali Kremez shared in August.
Royal ransomware has been employed in assaults mostly aimed at targets in the US and Brazil, according to Trend Micro. It is typically delivered via callback phishing, tricking victims into downloading remote access software.
The FBI highlighted that these adverts were also used to spoof financial websites, notably exchange platforms for cryptocurrencies.
Businesses employ search engine advertising services to make sure their ads show up at the top of search results with the smallest possible difference between an advertisement and a real internet search result. However, the warning noted that online criminals are also using domains that are similar to legitimate businesses or services to purchase these services for illicit reasons.
How to spot fake advertisements:
- Prior to clicking an advertisement, check the URL. Look out for typos or unusual suffixes on a link because it will reveal the true URL.
- If you want to look up businesses, enter the address in the browser's address bar rather than using a search engine like Google.
- Try using an ad blocker. These block all advertisements, so you can simply avoid being targeted by fraudulent ads but also fail to see any legitimate ones.
Ad blockers can help consumers avoid misleading adverts, but they can also severely damage their online experience. Many websites depend on advertising, thus some won't let you visit if you are using an ad blocker. When using an ad blocker, be sure to put your preferred websites to the list of the program. This will allow you to see advertising on this site but prevent you from seeing them elsewhere.
To assure the development of strong, safe passwords and keep away of malicious practices, the FBI also advises utilizing a password manager. Another effective strategy for protecting against online attacks is antivirus software.
