How to protect your browser from the Adrozek malware campaign

Microsoft has warned that all major web browsers like Chrome, Firefox and Edge have been affected by a nasty, widespread malware campaign called Adrozek.

Adrozek has been in circulation since May this this year and was found across more than 30,000 devices per day at its peak spread this summer. (Pixabay)

In a recent note, Microsoft has warned about a persistent malware campaign that's affecting all the major web browsers like Google Chrome, Firefox and even its own Edge. This malware campaign called Adrozek is built to inject fraudulent ads into the search results and siphon off users' personal information.

Adrozek has been in circulation since May this this year and was found across more than 30,000 devices per day at its peak spread this summer.

“In total, from May to September 2020, we recorded hundreds of thousands of encounters of the Adrozek malware across the globe, with heavy concentration in Europe and in South Asia and Southeast Asia,” Microsoft said.

What does Adrozek do?

Adrozek malware is capable of modifying web browsers like Chrome, Mozilla and Edge. So that means pretty much all devices are at risk here, across the world.

Adrozek malware is distributed via 159 malicious domains or more and each of these domains host 17,300 distinct URLs at an average. All these domains house hundreds of thousands of unique malware samples and are capable of bypassing security tools that usually filter such threats.

On the left a browser not affected by Adrozek and on the right, one that is.  (Microsoft )

On the left a browser not affected by Adrozek and on the right, one that is.  (Microsoft )

“The intended effect is for users, searching for certain keywords, to inadvertently click on these malware-inserted ads, which lead to affiliate pages. The attackers earn through affiliate advertising programs, which pay by the amount of traffic referred to sponsored affiliated pages,” Microsoft explained.

How to stop the Adrozek malware?

To shield oneself against Adrozek and similar browser modifiers, Microsoft suggests that you do not download files from disreputable sources.

You are also recommended to use antivirus services for protection.

Also, as a precautionary measure, you should uninstall and then reinstall the web browsers you are using right now.