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Security researchers at Citizen Lab have discovered a sophisticated cyberespionage technique called “AdFection” that weaponizes the global online advertising ecosystem to deliver zero-click spyware to targeted devices.
The investigation showed that a Israeli digital advertising agency called DiscoverTech exploits programmatic ad auctions — the automated, split-second bidding markets used to buy and sell advertising space across websites and mobile apps — to secretly track and infiltrate users.
Through its proprietary “Controlium” software platform, DiscoverTech allegedly enabled customers to target and anonymize Internet users before deploying third-party mercenary spyware.
The attack mechanism bypasses traditional security warnings entirely. When a user visits a legitimate website or mobile app, their browser or application automatically connects to ad servers to load content and transmit device identification data.
If the user matches a designated target profile, DiscoverTech’s infrastructure serves malicious code alongside the ad. This infection occurs automatically within seconds and requires zero user interaction, such as clicking a link or opening a file.
The research identified at least 45 devices belonging to the Qatari broadcaster Al Jazeera which were compromised between 2024 and 2025 using tools linked to the Israeli surveillance software company Candiru.
Once installed, the spyware can extract sensitive data, including passwords, messages, photos and emails, while also enabling remote microphone activation.
While DiscoverTech presented itself as a standard advertising company, investigators found no evidence of legitimate ad business. Analysis showed that its ads appeared on over 120,000 websites and 70,000 mobile apps worldwide, reaching networks linked to government entities, European and US agencies, the United Nations and NATO.
Google subsequently blocked DiscoverTech from its ad platforms. Security experts have called for urgent regulatory intervention to address the systemic vulnerabilities underpinning the digital advertising industry.
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