# Don't click the ad might be outdated internet advice

> New spyware spreads through ads without user interaction, making 'don't click' advice obsolete.
- Title: Don't click the ad might be outdated internet advice
- Summary: New spyware spreads through ads without user interaction, making 'don't click' advice obsolete. Spyware can infect devices through legitimate ads without…
- Keywords: advertising, cyber crimes, data breach, cybersecurity, data privacy, user data, israel, news, politics, world, Don't, click
- Source: Straight Arrow — https://san.com/cc/dont-click-the-ad-might-be-outdated-internet-advice-heres-why
- Published: 2026-10-15T17:34:20+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: advertising, cyber crimes, data breach, cybersecurity, data privacy, user data, israel, news, politics, world
## Adfection spyware threat
New spyware spreads through legitimate ads without user interaction, making 'don't click' advice obsolete.

> adfection
## How adfection works
Ads from Discover-Tech harvest user data when displayed, enabling automatic spyware delivery without clicks.

> mass-profile and deanonymise
## Spyware delivery method
Controlium uses JavaScript embedded in ads to send malicious code to targeted devices without user action.

> mercenary spyware
## Affected users
45 Al Jazeera journalists and staff infected with spyware through Discover-Tech ads.

> Candiru
## Global reach
Spyware delivered to users in Yemen, Brazil, Mexico, Czechia and government networks worldwide.

> millions of users
## Government networks
U.S. Department of Defense and NATO networks exposed to Discover-Tech ads with potential targeting.

> international criminal court
## Security implications
Researchers warn ad ecosystem enables mass targeting without detection for years.

> security threat
## What happens next
Cybersecurity experts urge ad platforms to implement stronger user data protection measures.

> security threat
## Key takeaway

Spyware can infect devices through legitimate ads without user action, rendering 'don't click the ad' advice outdated.