Malvertising

Using ads to distribute malware or redirect users to scam sites, often via compromised creatives in programmatic channels.

By Brandon MinaCEO, BrandPilot AIUpdated November 2026

Short answer

Malvertising is the use of online ads to distribute malware or redirect users to scam and phishing sites. Attackers often slip compromised creatives or malicious code into programmatic channels, where ads pass through many intermediaries. Publishers and platforms use creative scanning and quality controls to block such ads before they reach users.