Angler Exploit Kit Is Quickly Spreading via Malicious Ads

​A malicious advertising campaign linked to the Angler Exploit Kit is presently affecting web users in the US and Canada. Tens of thousands of website visitors have been infected within the last twenty four hours.

The harmful advertisements were served by a hacked advertising network on several very popular websites dedicated to the entertainment industry and news. At the moment, although the higher ranked publications are no more serving the malicious ad, the onslaught continues on several not so popular portals. Plenty of users are still in danger of installing viruses on their computers.

It is important to mention that Angler Exploit Kit has been recently revamped to exploit even more vulnerabilities. Its authors are taking advantage of a bolder approach to remain ahead of competitors.

Security researches note that as soon as a visitor goes to the webpage that hosts the hazardous ad, it instantly redirects them to several servers controlled by hackers, the second or the third server of which serves the Angler Exploit kit.

Right now, the exploit kit downloads the BEDEP malware, which, in turn downloads another one Trend Micro classifies as TROJ_EVOTOB.

All Users are advised to check if their OS and applications are patched and up-to-date.