--- title: Why You Need to Know What Malvertising is and Does description: Why You Need to Know What Malvertising is and Does image: https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/hubfs/Blog%20Images/Imported_Blog_Media/ThinkstockPhotos-519829270.jpg --- [Skip to the main content.](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/blog/why-you-need-to-know-what-malvertising-is-and-does#main-content) [![OTT powerd by VN big](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/hs-fs/hubfs/OTT%20powerd%20by%20VN%20big.png?width=500&height=175&name=OTT%20powerd%20by%20VN%20big.png "OTT powerd by VN big")](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com) [![OTT powerd by VN big](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/hs-fs/hubfs/OTT%20powerd%20by%20VN%20big.png?width=500&height=175&name=OTT%20powerd%20by%20VN%20big.png "OTT powerd by VN big")](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com) - [Services](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/our-services/) - [Managed It Services](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/our-services/managed-it/) - [Cybersecurity](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/our-services/cybersecurity/) - [Cloud Solutions](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/our-services/cloud-solutions/) - [Compliance](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/our-services/compliance/) - [Industries](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/industries/) - [Resources](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/resources/) - [Blog](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/blog) - [About](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/about/) - [Client Testimonials](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/testimonials/) [415-294-5250](tel:4152945250) [Client Portal](https://portal.Valeonetworks.com) Toggle Menu Toggle Menu [415-294-5250](tel:4152945250) [Client Portal](https://portal.Valeonetworks.com) - [Services *Toggle Menu*](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/our-services/) - [Managed It Services](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/our-services/managed-it/) - [Cybersecurity](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/our-services/cybersecurity/) - [Cloud Solutions](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/our-services/cloud-solutions/) - [Compliance](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/our-services/compliance/) - [Industries](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/industries/) - [Resources *Toggle Menu*](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/resources/) - [Blog](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/blog) - [About *Toggle Menu*](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/about/) - [Client Testimonials](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/testimonials/) - Example Link - Example Link - Example Link [*Facebook*](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/blog/why-you-need-to-know-what-malvertising-is-and-does#0) [*Instagram*](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/blog/why-you-need-to-know-what-malvertising-is-and-does#0) [*LinkedIn*](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/blog/why-you-need-to-know-what-malvertising-is-and-does#0) [*Twitter*](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/blog/why-you-need-to-know-what-malvertising-is-and-does#0) [*Youtube*](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/blog/why-you-need-to-know-what-malvertising-is-and-does#0) [*Medium*](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/blog/why-you-need-to-know-what-malvertising-is-and-does#0) 1 min read # Why You Need to Know What Malvertising is and Does [Lance Stone](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/blog/author/ulisticadmin) : Sep 7, 2016, 2:24:21 PM [Managed IT Services](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/blog/tag/managed-it-services) It’s called malvertising – a contraction of “malevolent advertising,” – and it’s all over the Web. It’s a particularly nasty bit of malware, purveyed by cybercriminals who get the legitimate-looking ads up on popular sites, and even hiding a malicious ad’s URL inside a legitimate ad. [Malvertising](https://www.wired.com/2015/12/hacker-lexicon-malvertising-the-hack-that-infects-computers-without-a-click/) has been popping up on such high-traffic, trusted websites as The Weather Network, NFL.com, BBC.com, and The New York Times. So, what can you, the average Web-user do to protect yourself from these cleverly-crafted and placed tricks that can get your computer shut down? Knowledge is power, yes, but that’s only half the battle. ![malvertising](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20Images/Imported_Blog_Media/ThinkstockPhotos-519829270.jpg?width=509&height=339&name=ThinkstockPhotos-519829270.jpg) Here are the main things you can do to keep malvertising away from your computer: 1. Update all your software and network systems. 2. Install ad blocker, but be cognizant of the fact that ad blocker won’t block all malvertising attempts. It could also block some legit content, aside from the ads themselves. 3. Invest in an [anti-exploit kit](http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/malwarebytes-anti-exploit/) as a main tool in your anti-malware arsenal, along with your antivirus software. 4. Have the right anti-exploit software browsing your computer for vulnerabilities. This will effectively detect and neutralize exploits and malicious adware. 5. Uninstall all programs and browser plug-ins you aren’t using. These can often be used by those tracking your Web habits to fool you into thinking you’re clicking on an ad from a trusted site. Set your remaining plug-ins to “Click to Play” mode, which gives you the option to run a plug-in when a certain visited site wants to load one. 6. Do a right-click and copy the link location (in Firefox; Copy Link Address in Chrome, or Copy shortcut in Internet Explorer) and plug it into a safe sites checker like [Norton](https://safeweb.norton.com/) to test the link’s safety. 7. Use a Web-based link scanner to test a suspicious URL, which you can right-click on and copy to a safe link checker such as [URLVoid](http://www.urlvoid.com/) or [Sucuri](https://sitecheck.sucuri.net/), as in the previous suggestion. 8. Be leery of shortened links like those provided by Ow.ly and TinyURL, which are all over social media sites. Scan them through the aforementioned safe link sites. **Call an IT Expert** Those are eight steps to keep you on the right path and away from malvertising ads. You may also want to consult an IT professional if your concern level extends to getting an extra level of protection implemented. {company} is the leader in providing [managed IT services](https://www.ontimetech.com/services/current-it-provider/) in {city}.  Contact one of our IT pros at {phone} or send us an email at {email}, and we will be happy to answer all your questions. - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) #### ![BusinessOwnerGuidetoM&A-1](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BusinessOwnerGuidetoM%26A-1.png?width=303&height=209&name=BusinessOwnerGuidetoM%26A-1.png) #### Download our eBook*THE ULTIMATE ROADMAP TO CMMC COMPLIANCE* by filling out the form below! 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[Managed IT Services](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/blog/tag/managed-it-services) [Read More](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/blog/steps-to-follow-when-hit-by-ransomware) [![What Happens When Google Chrome Stops Caring?](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/hubfs/Blog%20Images/Imported_Blog_Media/ThinkstockPhotos-466382001.jpg)](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/blog/what-happens-when-google-chrome-stops-caring) #### [What Happens When Google Chrome Stops Caring?  ](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/blog/what-happens-when-google-chrome-stops-caring) [Lance Stone](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/blog/author/ulisticadmin) : May 16, 2016, 10:48:15 AM Google Chrome has stopped supporting certain operating systems on both PC and Mac platforms as of April 2016. This means security updates and patches... [Managed IT Services](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/blog/tag/managed-it-services) [Read More](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/blog/what-happens-when-google-chrome-stops-caring) [![Where Are Your Employees Surfing While On The Clock?](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/hubfs/Blog%20Images/Imported_Blog_Media/web-filtering-1.jpg)](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/blog/where-are-your-employees-surfing-while-on-the-clock) #### [Where Are Your Employees Surfing While On The Clock?](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/blog/where-are-your-employees-surfing-while-on-the-clock) [Lance Stone](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/blog/author/ulisticadmin) : Apr 14, 2014, 3:42:22 PM Web Filtering at the Workplace [Managed IT Services](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/blog/tag/managed-it-services) [Read More](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/blog/where-are-your-employees-surfing-while-on-the-clock) ![OTT White logo](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/hs-fs/hubfs/VN%20-%20Division%20Logos/OTT%20Logo/OTT%20White%20logo.png?width=524&height=140&name=OTT%20White%20logo.png)   ##### About About On Time Tech is an IT Support and Computer Services company serving California. 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