Malicious Google Ads Target DeepSeek Users to Spread Malware

Cybersecurity threats continue to evolve, with malicious actors exploiting popular platforms like Google Ads to spread malware.

Recently, a sophisticated campaign targeting DeepSeek users has been uncovered, highlighting the ongoing risks associated with sponsored search results.

The Threat Landscape

DeepSeek, a rising platform, has become a lure for cybercriminals who are using fake sponsored Google ads to trick unsuspecting users.

These ads are designed to mimic legitimate DeepSeek advertisements, making them difficult to distinguish from genuine ones.

Upon clicking the fake ads, users are redirected to a convincing but fake website, which prompts them to download a Trojan programmed in Microsoft Intermediate Language (MSIL).

This malware is detected by Malwarebytes’ AI module as Malware.AI.1323738514.

The success of these campaigns underscores the challenge Google faces in filtering out malicious ads from its sponsored search results.

Avoiding Malware Traps

To protect against such threats, users are advised to ...