Piracy to Ads to Ransomware: Investigation Finds $121 Million in Dangerous Malicious Ads on Piracy Sites Designed to Trick Users into Infecting Their Devices
WASHINGTON, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Visitors to piracy sites are bombarded with malicious ads that use scare tactics to trick them into downloading malware, including ransomware that takes over files to force victims to pay to regain access, a joint investigation by the Digital Citizens Alliance, White Bullet, and Unit 221B has found. The investigation also found that these malicious ads, called malvertising, are often enabled by ad intermediary companies that promote scare tactics and other dubious means to trick or entice users to click on dangerous ads.
- The investigation also found that these malicious ads, called malvertising, are often enabled by ad intermediary companies that promote scare tactics and other dubious means to trick or entice users to click on dangerous ads.
- Digital Citizens, piracy advertising expert White Bullet, and cybersecurity firm Unit 221B undertook a months-long investigation that analyzed thousands of piracy sites, including well-known platforms such as Fmovies[.
- Visitors to piracy sites faced an estimated 321 million ads designed to harm them.
- Piracy services seek to make as much money as possible whether from legitimate but misplaced ads or from malicious actors.