“Why You Should Consider Using an Ad Blocker: The Hidden Dangers of Government Spyware”

Government spyware: A new threat to online security that can be combatted with ad blockers

Ad blockers may not be the first solution that comes to mind when we think of protecting ourselves against spyware, but recent reports have shed light on the alarming trend of spyware companies using online ads as a weapon for government surveillance.

According to these reports, spyware makers are now equipped with the ability to discreetly infiltrate specific targets with their malware through banner ads.

One such company is Intellexa, a European startup responsible for developing the Predator spyware. This powerful software has the ability to access and monitor the entire contents of a target’s phone in real time.

Haaretz, an Israeli news outlet, revealed that Intellexa demonstrated a proof-of-concept system in 2022 called Aladdin, which allowed for the installation of spyware through online ads. The documents included a step-by-step demonstration of the Aladdin system, along with technical details on how the malware infects its victims. Haaretz also reported that the spyware was able to target individuals such as graphic designers and activists by offering them fake job opportunities, thereby introducing the malware to their devices.

The extent of Aladdin’s development and whether it was sold to any government customers remains unclear.

Last year, another Israeli company, Insanet, successfully developed a similar system that was able to target individuals within an advertising network, as revealed by Haaretz.

While online ads play a crucial role in helping website owners generate revenue, they can also be manipulated and abused to distribute malicious code to unsuspecting users.

This type of attack, known as malvertising, works by injecting harmful code into legitimate ads that appear on websites when accessed through a computer or phone. In some cases, the victim may need to interact with the ad, such as clicking on a link or downloading a file, for the malware to be activated.

However, the widespread use of online advertising greatly expands the reach of government customers, allowing them to target individuals, including their critics, with spyware attacks that are nearly undetectable.

While it’s nearly impossible to make any device completely unhackable, ad blockers can effectively prevent malvertising and ad-based malware from ever reaching the browser.

So, how do ad blockers help?

As the name suggests, ad blockers prevent ads from displaying on web browsers. This not only eliminates the annoyance of advertisements, but also blocks the underlying websites from loading the ads in the first place. As a result, it also protects user privacy since tracking codes used by ad exchanges to monitor browsing activity are rendered useless. Ad-blocking software is also available for mobile devices.

In fact, security experts have long recommended using ad blockers as a precaution against malvertising attacks. In 2022, the FBI even issued a public service announcement advising the use of ad blockers for online safety.

“Everyone should block ads,” tweeted John Scott-Railton, a senior researcher at Citizen Lab who has investigated government spyware, in response to the Haaretz report. “It’s a matter of safety.”