Article Summary: Scammers buy Google search ads scams using the names of trusted brands and software, ensuring their fake Google ads show up at the very top of search results. Clicking these links can lead you to a compromised page that steals your credentials or triggers fake software downloads. You can protect your business by practicing proper cyber habits and learning how to avoid malware from fake websites.
When you search Google for a program to download or a website to log into, the first thing you see is usually an ad. It sits at the top, marked “Sponsored,” and most people click it without a second thought, because the top result is normally what you wanted.
Scammers count on that. They buy ads on the names of trusted companies and popular software, so their fake site appears right at the top, above the real one, and you click it thinking it’s the official page.
This threat is known as malvertising (short for malicious advertising). In typical Google search ads scams, cybercriminals run paid campaigns for high-trust search terms, such as bank logins, productivity tools, or everyday utilities like PDF readers and media players. These fake Google ads closely mimic legitimate brand names and web addresses.
When a user clicks on one of these malicious listings, they are redirected to a landing page designed to clone the legitimate site:
Without proactive measures like robust cybersecurity services, a single employee click can compromise your entire network.
These ads are convincing. They sit above the real result, so they’re the first thing you see. They use the real company’s name and a web address that looks right. And they show up on a search you started yourself, so they don’t feel as suspicious as a random email or text would.
Attackers have also gotten good at hiding from the checks meant to stop them. They show a clean, harmless page to the ad reviewers and the real, malicious page to everyone else, so the ad can pass review and still do damage.
Very. In its 2025 Ads Safety Report, Google said it blocked or removed more than 8.3 billion ads that broke its rules, suspended 24.9 million advertiser accounts, and took down 602 million ads tied to scams. Google also noted that criminals are now using AI to make fake ads faster.
Security researchers have found scam search ads pretending to be well-known programs like VLC, 7-Zip, and CCleaner, and even Google’s own apps, with downloads that installed password-stealing malware. These show up on the everyday searches your team runs.
For a business, malicious advertising introduces severe risks around two routine activities: downloading software and logging into cloud services.
Info-stealers can hijack active session tokens, allowing attackers to bypass multi-factor authentication (MFA). Implementing comprehensive managed IT services ensures these entry points are continuously monitored and secured.
Scroll past the sponsored results. The ads sit at the top, marked “Sponsored” or “Ad.” The real website is usually just below, in the normal results.
Google reviews ads and removes billions that break its rules, but scammers still slip through by showing reviewers a clean page and everyone else the malicious one. A “Sponsored” label doesn’t mean the site is safe.
Malvertising is short for malicious advertising: scammers buy online ads, often on trusted brand names, to send people to fake sites that steal logins or install malware.
Go to the maker’s official website by typing the address yourself, or search and use the normal (non-ad) result. Don’t download from a sponsored ad, and don’t trust a download that arrives through one.
If they only visited the page, close it and don’t enter anything. If they typed a password, change it and turn on MFA. If they downloaded and ran a file, disconnect the device and have your IT provider check it for info-stealing malware.
It can. A reputable ad blocker hides many sponsored results, which takes the fake links off the page before anyone can click them. It isn’t a complete fix, so keep the habits above too.
Navigating online security threats requires proactive management. If you need help securing your infrastructure, training your team, or implementing endpoint protection, learn more about us or contact us today to speak with an IT specialist.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or IT advice. For professional guidance tailored to your business, consult with Cascade IT Services or a certified Microsoft partner.
Article used with permission from The Technology Press.
