{"id":18281,"date":"2025-01-17T16:19:00","date_gmt":"2025-01-17T03:19:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/geeksonwheels.co.nz\/?p=18281"},"modified":"2025-01-17T16:19:07","modified_gmt":"2025-01-17T03:19:07","slug":"malvertising-and-fake-help-scams","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/geeksonwheels.co.nz\/security-safety\/malvertising-and-fake-help-scams\/","title":{"rendered":"Malvertising and Fake Help Scams"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Next time you search for tech help, pay close attention to the search results before you end up getting led astray. Cybercriminals are creating fake websites and using paid advertising techniques so their malicious website is shown to those searching for tech help. Specifically, those looking for printer help.

So the next time your tech is playing up, skip the scammers and call us directly<\/a>. Alternatively, read on to learn how you can identify legitimate search results.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What Is Malvertising?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Malvertising, short for “malicious advertising,” is a technique used by cybercriminals to lure unsuspecting users into visiting fake websites. These bad actors use paid advertising to ensure their malicious links appear prominently online.<\/ins> O<\/ins>ften targeting large, trusted websites like Amazon or Facebook.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s how it works!<\/ins> Imagine searching for “Amazon” on Google. At the top of the results page, you see an ad that seems legitimate\u2014the displayed URL matches Amazon\u2019s official address (e.g., https:\/\/www.amazon.com). However, if you inspect the ad\u2019s link, it leads to an entirely different, malicious site. Clicking on it could expose you to data theft or malware infections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The real danger of malvertising lies in its ability to blend seamlessly into trusted platforms like Google search results. While we\u2019re accustomed to spotting scams in emails or social media messages, malicious ads in search results are less common and, therefore, more deceptive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the years, users have grown to trust the top results on search engines, associating them with credibility and reliability. But with the increasing prevalence of sponsored posts, it\u2019s more important than ever to double-check where you\u2019re clicking\u2014even if it looks legitimate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How To Spot And Avoid Malvertising<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

So now you know what malvertising is, how can you spot and avoid it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n