Intrusive Ads and Typo-Squatting The Hidden Threats in Your Browser

Most of us think of ads as nothing more than annoyances, but they can pose a serious security risk. As James Bierly explained in the recent webinar, intrusive ads aren’t just irritating—they can actually be weaponized to compromise your system. Similarly, typo-squatting is a sneaky tactic that attackers use to take advantage of simple human error. In this week’s post, we’ll cover how to block these hidden threats and why securing these settings in Microsoft Edge is essential.

Protecting Against Intrusive Ads

Intrusive ads can be more than loud videos or flashy banners. In some cases, they can redirect you to malicious websites or trick you into downloading harmful files. James described how attackers use these ads to create a false sense of urgency, making users panic and click before thinking.

One of the key CIS settings discussed in the webinar is blocking ads on sites with intrusive ads. When this setting is enabled, Microsoft Edge can automatically block these types of ads, preventing them from disrupting your work or worse, compromising your system. As Bierly pointed out, it’s not just about silencing annoying ads—it’s about safeguarding your system from the clever tricks hackers use to lure you into risky situations.

Typo-Squatting The Trap in a Misspelled URL

We’ve all mistyped a URL at some point, and that’s exactly what cybercriminals count on. Typo-squatting is a tactic where attackers register domains similar to popular sites, hoping users will accidentally land on a malicious page. Instead of going to your trusted website, a typo could redirect you to a dangerous site designed to steal your credentials.

During the webinar, James emphasized the importance of enabling Edge’s typo-squatting checker, a simple but effective way to protect users from mistyped URLs. This setting blocks access to known typo-squatting domains, preventing you from falling into phishing traps or accidentally downloading malware. In Bierly’s words, it’s like having a safety net for your mistakes—something we all need, especially when security is on the line.

Social Engineering and Emotional Triggers

James also discussed how these tactics—intrusive ads and typo-squatting—are part of broader social engineering schemes. These attacks play on our emotions, using fear or urgency to get us to act impulsively. By blocking intrusive ads and typo-squatting domains, you remove some of the easiest avenues attackers use to manipulate users.

As Bierly put it, “We’re humans, not machines.” Hackers rely on emotional responses—panic, frustration, confusion—to get users to click on something they shouldn’t. These settings act as a buffer, giving users a moment to think before they’re tricked into compromising their security.

Creating Layers of Security

As we’ve covered before, security is all about layers. Blocking ads and typo-squatting domains are just two more layers in a comprehensive security strategy. James pointed out that while these settings won’t stop every attack, they significantly reduce the risk of common phishing attempts and browser-based malware infections.

This layered approach means that even if one defense fails, you have other safeguards in place to protect your system. Configuring these settings might seem like a small step, but they can make a big difference in reducing exposure to common online threats.

Automation for Continuous Protection

James also reiterated the importance of automation when it comes to enforcing these settings. While manually configuring these settings is possible, tools like those offered by Senteon can automatically deploy and maintain these security configurations across multiple endpoints. This ensures that even as your systems change and grow, your security settings remain consistent and effective.

Call to Action:

Want to learn more about how to protect yourself from intrusive ads and typo-squatting? Watch the full episode here. Be sure to register for upcoming episodes to stay up-to-date with the latest CIS Benchmarks and security tips.

Ready to see how your browser security stacks up? Generate free internal and external security reports with Senteon by signing up and using the code “settings webinar” here.