Each day, we unknowingly leave behind a trail of digital breadcrumbs that reveal our every move, thought, and purchase. These breadcrumbs are collected by a sophisticated network of advertisers, publishers, and ad brokers, who use them to send us personalized ads at lightning speed. However, this vast amount of data can also be used for more invasive purposes, such as tracking our movements and even installing spyware on our devices. One Israeli technology company called Insanet has developed spyware that can be delivered through online ad networks, turning targeted ads into Trojan horses. This spyware, known as Sherlock, is able to infect Windows-based computers and Android phones, as well as iPhones. Unlike other spyware tools, Sherlock does not exploit vulnerabilities in phones but instead uses ad networks as its means of infiltration. In terms of capabilities, Sherlock is still being investigated, but early reports suggest that it is capable of infiltration, monitoring, data capture, and data transmission. This raises concerns about privacy and security, as spyware can clandestinely obtain sensitive information and monitor someone’s activities. It is also alarming that the Israeli government has given approval to sell this spyware, potentially putting everyone at risk. The only somewhat reassuring aspect is that Sherlock appears to be expensive to use
https://theconversation.com/spyware-can-infect-your-phone-or-computer-via-the-ads-you-see-online-report-213685