Free Page-Level Threat Blocking

Block Malvertising Threats in Real-Time

Free Malvertising Protection—Up to 2M Pageviews/Month

  • Real-time page-level ad scanning
  • Protect up to 2M pageviews monthly – 100% FREE
  • Keep your ad revenue flowing
  • No code changes—just drop in a script
  • Dashboard to monitor threats and block events

 

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“Malvertising Defense was able to prove that we would never have to sacrifice revenue when choosing to block malicious ads.”
– Lauren Hefferon, Product Manager at Curiosity Media

Common Malvertising Attacks

Malvertising takes many forms, which makes it more difficult for traditional filters to catch, and it can take users and publishers off guard. These attacks don’t rely on user interaction. Instead, they execute as soon as the ad is served, making them especially hard to detect without the right tools in place.

Some of the most common types of malvertising attacks include:

  • Drive-by downloads: Malware is installed on a user’s device without any clicks or action required.
  • Forced redirects: Visitors are suddenly sent to another website, often one built to steal data or infect their device.
  • Fake updates: Ads imitate system notifications and prompt users to download bogus software.
  • Scareware: Pop-ups claim a device is infected and urge users to install a fake antivirus.
  • Crypto-mining ads: This type of ad hijacks browser resources to secretly mine cryptocurrency.
  • Clickjacking: Malicious elements are hidden under legitimate content, tricking users into clicking on something harmful.

HUMAN’s real-time behavioral analysis stops these threats before they can even reach your audience. By monitoring ad behavior instead of relying solely on lists or scans, our solution catches suspicious activity as it happens. Even better, it works without having to interrupt the user experience or block legitimate ad revenue.

Malvertising FAQs

  • What is the difference between malware and advertising?

    Malware is software that harms, exploits, or steals from a user’s device. It can take the form of a virus, ransomware, spyware, trojans, and more. Advertising, on the other hand, is meant to promote products, services, or content through banners, pop-ups, or native placements. Malvertising sits right at the intersection of the two. It’s when bad actors embed malware inside ads or use ad infrastructure to deliver malicious code, often on legitimate websites. The ad looks normal, but once it loads, it can infect the user’s device without a single click.

  • How does malvertising work?

    Malvertising works by injecting malicious code into an ad creative or its delivery path. When the ad is served, the code can exploit browser vulnerabilities, redirect users to fake websites, or silently install malware in the background. Because most ads are delivered through complex programmatic systems, it can be hard to spot the threat before it goes live. In many cases, the malicious behavior is triggered only when the ad reaches a real user in a real browser, making traditional detection methods like static analysis or sandbox testing far less effective.

  • What are some things you can look for to detect malvertising?

    Some things to look out for to detect malvertising include ads with awkward grammar or misspellings, system-style alerts that don’t match your operating system, or pop-ups pushing free gift cards or miracle cures. You might also see strange redirects or browser freezes that happen without having to click on anything. For publishers and IT teams, spikes in bounce rate, sudden drops in session duration, or recurring user complaints about sketchy ad behavior are red flags. If users are getting kicked off the page or pushed into support scam pages, something malicious may be slipping through.

  • How well does HUMAN’s free malvertising blocker work?

    HUMAN’s free malvertising blocker delivers real-time behavioral protection for up to 2 million pageviews each month. It actively analyzes ad behavior to detect and stop malicious activity as it happens. The result is a smarter, more adaptive solution that doesn’t rely on blocklists or fingerprinting alone. It protects your users while still allowing ad impressions to serve, so your monetization isn’t impacted.

  • Should I use other forms of malvertising protection?

    Yes, layering your defenses gives you much stronger protection from malvertising attacks. HUMAN’s behavioral analysis provides powerful frontline protection, but you can also take other measures, including vetting your ad partners, scanning creatives for malware, avoiding risky ad formats like Flash, and setting up alerts for unusual traffic patterns. No single solution catches everything on its own, but using HUMAN alongside your broader security stack significantly reduces the risk of malvertising slipping through.