Increase in Ad Blocker Use Sparks Concerns Over Misleading Ads
/ 3 min read
Quick take - An increasing number of individuals are using ad blockers due to privacy concerns, prompting some services to implement countermeasures that have led to misleading advertisements and the promotion of potentially harmful browser extensions, such as Push Notifications Blocker, which has been identified as adware by security software provider Malwarebytes.
Fast Facts
- Increasing use of ad blockers is driven by privacy concerns and a rise in online ads.
- Some services are countering ad blockers, leading to misleading ads that prompt users to install additional software.
- The extension Push Notifications Blocker, promoted through deceptive means, requests extensive permissions and can slow down browser performance.
- Push Notifications Blocker has been classified as adware, raising concerns about its trustworthiness and functionality.
- Malwarebytes has identified and blocked the associated domain, urging users to protect their devices from these cybersecurity threats.
The Rise of Ad Blockers and Misleading Advertisements
An increasing number of individuals are turning to ad blockers due to growing privacy concerns related to online tracking and a noticeable rise in the number of ads displayed on websites. In response, some services have begun implementing countermeasures against popular ad blockers, leading to a concerning trend in misleading advertisements found on media websites.
Misleading Ads and Browser Extensions
These ads claim to offer content that might interest visitors. However, clicking on them often leads to a prompt indicating that additional software is required to access the desired content. Historically, users faced prompts to install video codecs or specific video players. The current trend has shifted towards encouraging the installation of browser extensions.
One such extension, Adblock Pro, redirects users to install another extension called Push Notifications Blocker. This extension requests extensive permissions, which may seem benign but warrant careful monitoring due to potential privacy implications. Users have reported that installing Push Notifications Blocker results in significant slowdowns in browser performance and unexpected redirects. Furthermore, some users have experienced altered search results that do not correspond with their intended search engine, raising concerns about the extension’s functionality and trustworthiness.
The Adware Revelation
Following further investigation, Push Notifications Blocker has been classified as adware. This highlights the deceptive tactics employed to promote similar Chrome extensions that falsely advertise themselves as ad blockers while gaining user trust. This situation appears to be part of a broader affiliate marketing campaign, where affiliates earn commissions for promoting these products or services. The irony lies in the fact that an ad blocker is being promoted through a malvertising campaign, undermining the very purpose of its intended use.
Security software provider Malwarebytes has identified Push Notifications Blocker as Adware.Redirector. Malwarebytes has taken measures to block the associated domain, recommendedchain[.]com. In light of these findings, Malwarebytes emphasizes its dual role in both reporting threats and removing them. The company encourages users to download their software to protect their devices from these cybersecurity risks.
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