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Legit sites hijacked by malware that can hack into PCs, even without a click

By Sam Gale Rosen, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 16, 2007 12:47 PM CST

(Newser) – Some banner ads on legit sites can hack into your PC—even if you don't click on them. The new ads, which have been seen on sites like the Economist's and MLB.com, try to scan your hard drive and download malicious software, Wired reports. DoubleClick, which hosts the ads through its DART progam, says it is working on shutting them down.

The malware is not detectable when publishers upload it because it looks like ordinary Flash files, Wired explains. The culprit appears to be a marketing company called AdTraff, a slightly sketchy outfit with links to an even sketchier service provider called the Russian Business Network, which Wired reports is well known for internet scams.

Anti-Virus software sold as computers are attacked. (Getty Images)

The platform that hosts the ads says that they are trying to shut them down. (Getty Images)

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Legit sites hijacked by malware that can hack into PCs, even without a click

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Legit sites hijacked by malware that can hack into PCs, even without a click

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

online advertising • DoubleClick • hackers • banner ads • Russian Business Network

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

New Twitter Rules 'Leave the Door Open' for Ads

Microblogger makes users' ownership of tweets explicit

Google Pushes Privacy Reforms

Firm hopes to allay concerns about its DoubleClick buy

Microsoft Likely to Raise Yahoo Bid: Analyst

Stock upgraded to a buy after $34-per-share offer predicted

Google Buys DoubleClick After EU Signs Off

Regulators cite Yahoo, AOL, and Microsoft as 'credible' competitors

Hacker Blitz Infects Web Search Results

Malicious websites may have fooled Google, Yahoo and MSN

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?