Don’t download software from search ads
Malicious ads lead to fake download sites. One Microsoft-tracked campaign, spread through ads on illegal streaming sites, reached nearly a million devices.
- Get apps from the official store for your device — Microsoft Store, Apple App Store or Google Play — or the vendor’s own site.
- Skip “Sponsored” search results when downloading software. Type the vendor’s address yourself.
- Be very wary of free versions of paid software, and of streaming or torrent sites.
- Use Microsoft Edge with SmartScreen on, and ad-blocking where your business allows it.
- At work, ask IT to install software for you.
- Installed something and now something’s off? Tell IT straight away.
Based on: ASD’s ACSC — How to protect yourself from malware · Microsoft Security — Malvertising campaign leads to info-stealers · Malwarebytes — Fake ChatGPT download site
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