Malware can spread via ads during conversation

Malware being spread via ads during conversation is a new and emerging threat. It is a type of malvertising, which is the use of malicious advertisements to spread malware. In this case, the malware is spread through ads that appear during conversations with chatbots.

This type of malvertising is particularly dangerous because it is difficult to detect. Chatbots are becoming increasingly popular, and people are more likely to trust ads that appear in conversations with them. Additionally, the ads that are used to spread malware can be very convincing. They may look like legitimate ads for popular products or services.

Recently, malware was spread via ads during conversation with Bing chatbot. This was discovered by researchers at Malwarebytes in February 2023. The malware is spread through malicious links that are inserted into Bing Chat ads. When a user clicks on one of these links, they are taken to a malicious website where they are prompted to download malware-infected software.

The malware that is being spread through Bing Chat ads is a variety of different threats, including adware, spyware, and ransomware. Adware is generally harmless, but it can be annoying and can slow down your computer. Spyware is more dangerous, as it can steal your personal information, such as your passwords and credit card numbers. Ransomware is the most dangerous type of malware, as it can encrypt your files and demand a ransom payment to decrypt them.

As per the report, these compromised advertisements are identical to Advanced IP scanners. When users inquire with Bing Chat about software downloads, a link appears within the chat, alongside sponsored links at the top. Clicking on these sponsored links directs users to a website employing sophisticated methods to differentiate between human users and automated bots or crawlers. If recognized as a genuine human visitor, they are subsequently redirected to a deceptive website with the URL 'advenced-ip-scanner[.]com.' On this deceptive site, users encounter a deceptive prompt urging them to download an installer, which, regrettably, contains malicious software.

Microsoft has stated that it is working to address the issue of malware being spread through Bing Chat ads. However, in the meantime, it is important for

users to be cautious when clicking on links in Bing Chat ads. Here are some tips to help you stay safe:

If you think you may have clicked on a malicious link in a Bing Chat ad, it is important to run a virus scan on your computer immediately. You should also change your passwords and monitor your accounts for any suspicious activity.