Large Dutch websites spreading malware via advertising – Executive People

Multiple large Dutch websites early this week hit by an ad that spread malicious software to visitors. This was discovered by the Dutch security firm Fox-IT.

The sites themselves were not aware of the malware. The advertising space was bought by an unknown party – Fox-IT will not name, because the company itself comes later with a statement – that made abuse of it. Large Dutch sites like Nu.nl, Yahoo! News and Marktplaats.nl placed a malicious ad with a total of 288 other Dutch websites. How many people are affected by the malware is unclear.

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After the malware was discovered Fox-IT has contacted the responsible company, which then ensured that the advertisements are filtered out. Before nobody suffers more from the ads should take some time to pass, because filters are an interim measure.

What software would install the attackers was not immediately clear. An employee of Fox-IT, however, reports that it usually comes ransomware. That is a type of virus that causes the files of a user will be locked and released only after payment.

In collaboration with Datanews