Watch out! A malicious ad is the top result when you search for this company on Google
So many different scams have transpired over the past year that it can be hard to keep up with new ones. The COVID-19 pandemic has opened up new ways for cybercriminals to target people on the web.
Think about all the COVID-related scams we’ve seen over the past few months alone. There have been tons of vaccine scams, stimulus check scams and even disinformation campaigns targeting people looking for vaccine information. This COVID vaccine scam is particularly nasty – here are the signs to watch for.
That’s not even touching upon other recent non-pandemic cybercrimes that have been going around, and yet another one is luring in victims as we speak. This one uses a malicious ad to trick you into clicking on it. Here’s everything you need to know.
Here’s the backstory
Looking for information on Home Depot? If so, you need to watch out for a malicious Home Depot advertising campaign that redirects Google search visitors to tech support scams.
According to Bleeping Computer, this scam uses Google search results to target victims. The site was first alerted to this scam by someone who fell for a malicious ad after searching for “home depot” in a Google search.
Here’s how this scam works:
- Victims enter the term “home depot” in Google search, and the results return a malicious ad. The ad is placed at the top of the search results, adding to the likelihood that users will click on it.
- This ad looks like a legitimate campaign for Home Depot, down to the standard URL — www.homedepot.com, which appears when you hover over the link.
- If you click on the ad, you will be redirected via several different ad services and eventually land on a tech support scam, which they’ll try to convince you to buy your way out of via expensive and unnecessary software programs.
It’s the oldest trick in the book. The problem is, this type of scam can be super effective and can cause lots of issues if you fall for it.
What happens if I click on this malicious ad?
It’s easy to get tricked into clicking on this ad. If you fall for it, you will eventually be taken to a Windows Defender – Security Warning tech support scam. This scam will repeatedly open the Print dialog box, making it nearly impossible to close the page.
Don't fall for these vaccine hoaxes spreading right now
There has been a lot of misinformation spread recently about the COVID-19 pandemic. Not only have we had to wade through numerous conspiracy theories, but we’ve also had to navigate misinformation that comes from pandemic-related phishing and scam attempts.
Don't fall for these scare tactics that try to keep you from voting
The 2020 election is less than a week away, and voters are already reporting unusual activity both on and offline. Between robocalls, scams and foreign disinformation, there are plenty of reasons to stay vigilant as we make our way towards Election Day.
FBI warning: Don't believe everything you hear about this year's election
Election Day is drawing closer, and Americans from all corners of the country are ready to cast their votes and decide who represents us at the highest levels of government.
Back in 2016, we witnessed social media and technology play a bigger role than ever before. And this time around, election watchers are paying closer attention to how ads and influence campaigns play a role in voter behavior. Tap or click here to see how political ads have changed in 2020.
Facebook won't limit political ads, but you can choose what you see
Though candidates started hitting the campaign trail last year, the arrival of 2020 marks the official start of election season. And where there’s a U.S. Presidential election, there’s ample opportunity for political ads, disinformation campaigns and other digital mischief.