cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/4912712

Most people know at this point that when searching for a popular software package to download, you should be very careful to avoid clicking on any of the search ads that appear, as this has become an extremely common vector for distributing malware to unsuspecting users.

If you thought that you could identify these malicious ads by checking the URL below the ad to see if it directs to the legitimate site, think again! Malware advertisers have found a way to use Google’s Ad platform to fake the URL shown with the ad to make it appear like a legitimate ad for the product when in fact, clicking the ad will redirect to an attacker controlled site serving malware.

Don’t click on search ads or, even better, use an ad-blocker so that you never see them in the first place!

  • Devjavu@lemmy.dbzer0.com
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    16
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    1 year ago

    Man I would love it if Ecosia actually had decent search results. Well, guess I’ll have to donate for trees.

    • TWeaK@lemm.ee
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      10
      ·
      1 year ago

      Ecosia uses Bing, so it’s probably good for porn. Google has gotten worse lately anyway, so half the time adding a !g bang doesn’t actually help.

      • Devjavu@lemmy.dbzer0.com
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        3
        ·
        1 year ago

        Yeah Ecosia probably uses the free google api and not the paid one. I use SearX. Wonderful little search engine.