Microsoft Files First-of-its Kind Suit against Malvertisers

Summary: Microsoft Corp. has started its crackdown against alleged malvertisers, which send out malicious software using false security advertising to users.

The software giant has filed a first-of-its-kind lawsuit to stop the spread of such “false” security software.

In a bid to stop the growing number of malicious advertising in the Internet, Microsoft Corp. has filed a “first-of-its-kind” lawsuit against alleged malvertisers at the King County Superior Court on Thursday.

In a statement, Microsoft spokespersons said that it has filed five civil lawsuits against the offenders, who often send out malicious online advertisements, which the software giant claimed to be harmful and deceptive in nature.

“Malvertisements are often embedded with malicious codes posed as ‘harmless’ pop-up advertisements, which in fact, are harmful and deceptive,” the spokesperson.

“Many of these website advertisements redirect online users into another website containing ads about rogue security software, which is commonly known as scareware,” the spokesman added.

“This gives users false claims that it has detected virus and downloads of their software is needed to prevent it from spreading. But what users does not know, is that these downloads contain malwares like Trojans,” he added.

Microsoft said that it is committing itself to the battle against malvertising. It added that the five civil lawsuits include online business names like Qiweroqw.com. Direct Ad, Soft Solutions, ITmeter INC., and ote2008.com.

The software giant also said that they are just protecting unwitting consumers over the impending threat of malvertising. The company also urged users to always scan their PCs to protect them from such threats.