Citizen Lab discloses AdFection, an ad-delivered zero-click spyware

1. 23:15
   X@HypePakistan· Discussion

   A disturbing new cybersecurity threat has been uncovered. 📱 Citizen Lab found that Israeli corporate network Discover…(opens the original post in a new tab)
2. 12:36
   X@TweetThreatNews· Discussion

   A Citizen Lab–Confiant report says targeted ads in the AdFection technique delivered zero-click mercenary spyware, incl…(opens the original post in a new tab)
3. 02:00
   X@2Workly· Discussion

   Candiru delivered zero-click spyware through ad networks via Discover-Tech. Treat ad exchanges as untrusted code delive…(opens the original post in a new tab)
4. 00:23
   CyberScoop

   US senators say targeted advertising poses a security risk; advertising industry group says the criticism is misplaced

   US Senators Wyden and Booker said that the AdFection technique disclosed by Citizen Lab last week delivered mercenary spyware via zero-click delivery through targeted advertising, and that the industry must reform; IAB Europe rebutted that the report did not prove infrastructure failure. Discover-Tech, most associated with the attack, has been banned by Google and others. The report calls on regulators to investigate Discover-Tech and spyware company Candiru.

1. 23:15
   X@cyber_rekk· Discussion

   An ad appearing on your phone can be enough to infect it with spyware You don't have to click it, download anything or…(opens the original post in a new tab)
2. 23:02
   X@Komodosec· Discussion

   Exposing AdFection: How Discover-Tech Turned Targeted Ads Into a Pipeline for Zero-Click Mercenary Spyware citizenlab.…(opens the original post in a new tab)
3. 20:55
   X@ptdbugs· Discussion

   ADINT on a global scale Read on dbugs: https://dbu.gs/news/adint-on-a-global-scale-20261023 Researchers from Citizen…(opens the original post in a new tab)
4. 19:00
   X@Darwindwpqs· Discussion

   Researchers from Citizen Lab and Confiant have exposed the "AdFection" campaign, which used Israeli ad firm Discover-Te…(opens the original post in a new tab)

1. 23:45
   X@ProPakTech· Discussion

   The research links Israeli firm Discover-Tech's advertising system to spyware developed by Candiru, now known as Integr…(opens the original post in a new tab)
2. 23:45
   X@ProPakTech· Discussion

   A no-click spyware delivery technique dubbed AdFection was linked to 139 million ad bids in Pakistan, placing the count…(opens the original post in a new tab)
3. 19:00
   X@Donuncutschweiz· Discussion

   Ein Forschungsbericht von Citizen Lab legt offen, wie tief sich kommerzielle Überwachung in die globale Werbeinfrastruk…(opens the original post in a new tab)
4. 18:00
   WebAxios· Media coverage

   Hackers are turning web browsing into a spyware trap(opens the original post in a new tab)
5. 05:39
   X@tomrohde· Discussion

   “Exposing AdFection How Discover-Tech Turned Targeted Ads Into a Pipeline for Zero-Click Mercenary Spyware” https://ci…(opens the original post in a new tab)
6. 03:47
   X@SentinelP2P· Discussion

   Online ads are usually discussed as a tracking problem. Recent research shows they can become something more serious.…(opens the original post in a new tab)

1. 01:30
   X@anadoluagency· Discussion

   AdFection: How Israel changed spyware delivery What if an online ad could help deliver mercenary spyware without a sin…(opens the original post in a new tab)

1. 21:12
   X@HedgieMarkets· Discussion

   🦔You can now get spyware on your phone just by loading a page with an ad on it. Researchers at the University of Toront…(opens the original post in a new tab)
2. 20:01
   X@lordman1982· Discussion

   Exposing AdFection: How Discover-Tech Turned Targeted Ads Into a Pipeline for Zero-Click Mercenary Spyware - The Citize…(opens the original post in a new tab)
3. 12:48
   X@TweetThreatNews· Discussion

   Citizen Lab says Discover-Tech’s targeted ads helped Candiru spyware reach at least 45 Al-Jazeera devices. The research…(opens the original post in a new tab)
4. 09:01
   X@goylaw· Discussion

   @DavidShoebridge This is the original report: https://citizenlab.ca/research/how-discover-tech-turned-targeted-ads-into…(opens the original post in a new tab)
5. 06:13
   X@Atypicalissue· Discussion

   These are companies that set their sights on Australian government agencies. Discover-Tech acted as the advertising-sid…(opens the original post in a new tab)
6. 05:04
   X@kavienna· Discussion

   Keep holding the fire 🔥 to their feet @DavidShoebridge 💚👨🏼⚖⚖ the Citizen Lab report shows Israeli firm Discover-Tech…(opens the original post in a new tab)
7. 03:39
   X@DavidShoebridge· Discussion

   ICYMI an Israeli company hijacked online ads to track millions of devices and open the door to zero-click spyware, with…(opens the original post in a new tab)
8. 01:05
   X@edwardjgriggs· Discussion

   Citizen Lab confirmed zero-click spyware delivered through targeted online ads. Ads bought by Discover-Tech ran on near…(opens the original post in a new tab)
9. 00:38
   X@_CYOPS· Discussion

   Exposing AdFection: How Discover-Tech Turned Targeted Ads Into a Pipeline for Zero-Click Mercenary Spyware https://citi…(opens the original post in a new tab)

1. 22:32
   X@MEGAprivacy· Discussion

   Let’s talk about AdFection, because apparently in 2026 not clicking an ad doesn’t mean you’re safe from getting hacked…(opens the original post in a new tab)
2. 20:21
   X@C4CIOPS· Discussion

   "The Citizen Lab said that at least 45 devices at Al Jazeera were targeted in zero-click attacks. Candiru spyware has s…(opens the original post in a new tab)
3. 20:18
   X@C4CIOPS· Discussion

   "Discover-Tech presents itself as a legitimate advertising firm, in actuality it operates as a facilitator for multiple…(opens the original post in a new tab)
4. 18:22
   X@jnrmanagement· Discussion

   🚨 AdFection Exposed: Citizen Lab Confirms Zero-Click Spyware Delivered via Online Ads — Discover-Tech and Candiru Targe…(opens the original post in a new tab)
5. 17:10
   X@BPFreeSpeech· Discussion

   Citizen Lab researchers have released technical evidence for the first time of how spyware silently infects devices usi…(opens the original post in a new tab)
6. 17:03
   X@threatcluster· Discussion

   Citizen Lab ties Discover-Tech Controlium ads to Candiru zero-click spyware on at least 45 Al Jazeera devices IOCs (6)…(opens the original post in a new tab)
7. 15:36
   X@cybernews_tr· Discussion

   Hedefli reklamlar tıklamasız casus yazılım taşıdı: @citizenlab’e göre Al Jazeera’da en az 45 cihaz Candiru’nun aracıyla…(opens the original post in a new tab)
8. 15:00
   X@GeekChrome· Discussion

   Targeted Ads Delivered Zero-Click Candiru Spyware, Citizen Lab Finds https://www.chromegeek.com/adfection-targeted-ads-…(opens the original post in a new tab)
9. 13:28
   X@AjayKumarKhemka· Discussion

   इज़राइली ऐड-टेक कंपनी Discover-Tech का प्लेटफ़ॉर्म "Controlium" किसी व्यक्ति के फ़ोन को उसकी advertising ID, IP या cook…(opens the original post in a new tab)
10. 13:04
    ABC News

    Australian nuclear agency targeted by ad-delivered zero-click spyware

    A report by Citizen Lab, a research group at the University of Toronto, says an Israel-based company used online advertising technology to deliver zero-click commercial spyware to millions of devices, and that the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) and other Australian government, critical infrastructure and media networks appear on the list of those affected. The report attributes the campaign to Discover-Tech, saying it bid on advertising platforms such as Google and placed ads that looked normal but carried code that could install a backdoor on devices and obtain passwords, emails and internal system information. Citizen Lab said it traced the process on an Al Jazeera device from seeing an infected ad to contacting its servers to files being loaded onto the computer, and noted that merely viewing an ad does not guarantee a device is successfully infected. ANSTO said it had found no impact on its facilities, systems or information; Google removed Discover-Tech from its platform after researchers notified it.

11. 03:36
    X@nasoskook· Discussion

    Google and IAB Europe removed Israeli ad company Discover-Tech from their vendor registries after a Citizen Lab investi…(opens the original post in a new tab)
12. 03:05
    X@WIRED· Discussion

    Researchers at The Citizen Lab have for the first time released technical evidence of sophisticated mercenary spyware b…(opens the original post in a new tab)
13. 01:53
    X@geeknik· Discussion

    Advertising’s surveillance infrastructure has found another customer: spyware operators. Citizen Lab reports ads can id…(opens the original post in a new tab)

1. 23:54
   X@jullius_ar· Discussion

   Citizen Lab descubre la técnica de fabricación israelí «AdFection» que no requiere interacción de la víctima para infec…(opens the original post in a new tab)
2. 21:13
   X@OwenGregorian· Discussion

   ‘Nightmare Scenario’: Zero-Click Spyware Is Infecting Phones via Targeted Ads | Matt Burgess Lily Hay Newman, WIRED On…(opens the original post in a new tab)
3. 18:40
   X@joh9056· Discussion

   Nightmare Scenario’: Zero-Click Spyware Is Infecting Phones via Targeted Ads Researchers at The Citizen Lab have for t…(opens the original post in a new tab)
4. 18:06
   X@CisoMarketplace· Discussion

   Citizen Lab: Israeli ad-tech firm Discover Tech embedded zero-click spyware in ads across 120,000 sites and 75,000 apps…(opens the original post in a new tab)
5. 17:06
   X@BinaryBriefing· Discussion

   Citizen Lab Traces Candiru Spyware Delivery Through Targeted Ads. Citizen Lab linked targeted advertisements to Candiru…(opens the original post in a new tab)
6. 16:23
   X@rasgamorg· Discussion

   İsrail’in siber casusluk aygıtı, dijital reklamları ulusal güvenlik tehdidine dönüştürdü - Görüş/Yorum İsrailli bir şi…(opens the original post in a new tab)
7. 14:34
   Hacker NewsHacker News· Discussion

   Zero-Click Spyware Is Infecting Phones via Targeted Ads(opens the original post in a new tab)
8. 10:55
   X@DannyKPolitics· Discussion

   BREAKING: Israeli firm delivered zero-click spyware to Al Jazeera journalists through ads An Israeli advertising techn…(opens the original post in a new tab)
9. 10:18
   X@swif_ai· Discussion

   Citizen Lab: spyware infected Al Jazeera devices via targeted ads, no click needed. Its advice: block ads on work devic…(opens the original post in a new tab)
10. 08:22
    X@Caterin49788702· Discussion

    Software espía israelí utilizado en anuncios en línea para rastrear objetivos en todo el mundo Operadores de software…(opens the original post in a new tab)
11. 08:18
    X@longword· Discussion

    Exposing AdFection How Discover-Tech Turned Targeted Ads Into a Pipeline for Zero-Click Mercenary Spyware https://citi…(opens the original post in a new tab)
12. 06:54
    X@ShadowMusic2026· Discussion

    THE ADS THAT HACK 🚨 Spyware rode in on ordinary ads — zero clicks needed. Citizen Lab proved it. 🎧 https://open.spotify…(opens the original post in a new tab)
13. 06:49
    X@MattKellock· Discussion

    Citizen Lab: first public confirmation of zero-click spyware delivered through targeted ads. Ad tech firm Discover-Tech…(opens the original post in a new tab)
14. 06:40
    X@read__the__diff· Discussion

    ‼ ‼ Your ad banners can run code. An Israeli ad network used them to install spyware without anyone tapping anything.…(opens the original post in a new tab)
15. 05:26
    X@phishtimeapp· Discussion

    Not every cyberattack starts with a click. AdFection shows how targeted ads can be used to profile devices and deliver…(opens the original post in a new tab)
16. 05:25
    X@heatmaster555· Discussion

    [Shocking] Spyware infection just from displaying an ad. Citizen Lab investigates the zero-click attack "AdFection." At least 45 devices at Al Jazeera were targeted, and infection by Candiru was also confirmed. Ads being an entry point for attacks is really troublesome...(opens the original post in a new tab)
17. 05:10
    X@MayadeenEnglish· Discussion

    Discover-Tech, an Israeli company, has been linked to a spyware operation that exploits online advertising, according t…(opens the original post in a new tab)
18. 03:19
    X@cyber_razz· Discussion

    An ad appears on your screen. You don't click it. Doesn't matter. Spyware is already inside your device. Citizen La…(opens the original post in a new tab)
19. 02:44
    X@japahttv· Discussion

    O Citizen Lab descobriu uma técnica chamada "AdFection", que usa anúncios segmentados para entregar spyware sem clique.…(opens the original post in a new tab)
20. 01:30
    X@DrSakriKaia· Discussion

    An investigation by Citizen Labs reveal that in 2024 Israel hacked 45 devices from Al Jazeera journalist with Israeli s…(opens the original post in a new tab)
21. 01:26
    X@SarahAdams777· Discussion

    BREAKING AdFection nightmare! Israeli ads = spyware! 😱 No click needed, just load! Discover-Tech helped Candiru spywar…(opens the original post in a new tab)
22. 01:22
    X@YoJimboHIMbo· Discussion

    You don’t even need to click on a link or download a file to be infected with spyware. Just browsing the internet is en…(opens the original post in a new tab)
23. 00:00
    X@Pirat_Nation· Discussion

    Online ads can apparently do a lot more than track you. Citizen Lab has uncovered a technique called “AdFection” that…(opens the original post in a new tab)

1. 23:50
   X@In4mationOverld· Discussion

   The Ad Slot Had a Second Customer: Spyware. What if the dangerous click never happened? Citizen Lab’s October 15, 202…(opens the original post in a new tab)
2. 22:59
   X@grok· Discussion

   @E_Sorent777 @brave Citizen Lab attributes AdFection to Israel-based Discover-Tech, which delivered Candiru spyware (al…(opens the original post in a new tab)
3. 22:40
   X@markovichio· Discussion

   Zero-click spyware delivered through ad rendering, no interaction required. Candiru landed on devices at Al Jazeera jus…(opens the original post in a new tab)
4. 22:06
   X@brave· Discussion

   New research by Citizen Lab reveals zero-click spyware delivered through targeted ads. They call it "AdFection." Just…(opens the original post in a new tab)
5. 21:30
   X@cyber_razz· Discussion

   Citizen Lab just confirmed the first known case delivered through banner ads. Discover-Tech, an Israeli company presen…(opens the original post in a new tab)
6. 21:24
   X@privateorchards· Discussion

   Full report from Citizen Lab: https://citizenlab.ca/research/how-discover-tech-turned-targeted-ads-into-a-pipeline-for-…(opens the original post in a new tab)
7. 21:23
   X@privateorchards· Discussion

   🚨 Wild one this week: researchers showed a normal-looking ad was enough to plant spyware. No click. The ad just had to…(opens the original post in a new tab)
8. 20:01
   X@2Workly· Discussion

   Candiru spyware used ad firm Discover-Tech for zero-click exploits via real-time bidding ads. Citizen Lab tracked the c…(opens the original post in a new tab)
9. 18:57
   X@yeniyasamnews5· Discussion

   🔴 Citizen Lab, reklamlar üzerinden sıfır tıklamalı casus yazılım bulaştırılan ‘AdFection’ kampanyasını belgeledi: ▪El…(opens the original post in a new tab)
10. 18:06
    X@RaccoonSecCom· Discussion

    Citizen Lab and Confiant have revealed the role of the Israel-based company Discover-Tech in "AdFection"—a method that…(opens the original post in a new tab)
11. 18:04
    X@pechtimu· Discussion

    Case study: Al Jazeera. In 2024–2025, at least 45 devices at the network were targeted: a Discover-Tech ad, then a Cand…(opens the original post in a new tab)
12. 18:04
    X@pechtimu· Discussion

    Who were the customers? According to the report: * Candiru (rebranded as Integrity Labs) * Bindecy * Intelos Between Ja…(opens the original post in a new tab)
13. 17:21
    X@aabnour· Discussion

    New ‘zero-click’ spyware hacked phones using targeted ads Citizen Lab uncovers Israeli-developed ‘AdFection’ technique…(opens the original post in a new tab)
14. 16:31
    X@Iamhamzafaisal· Discussion

    Zero-click spyware is now hiding in everyday ads. Researchers just linked an Israeli ad firm to Candiru's hacking campa…(opens the original post in a new tab)
15. 15:52
    X@LetsStopC9· Discussion

    Israel’s Spyware Trap: Your Phone, Their Target Israeli companies Discovery Tech and Candiru stand accused of enabling…(opens the original post in a new tab)
16. 13:08
    X@vivekkumar86538· Discussion

    🚨 CyberRakshakLabs (https://cyberrakshaklabs.in/) — Incident Summary 🚨 ZERO-CLICK ATTACKS: TARGETED ADS USED TO DELIVE…(opens the original post in a new tab)
17. 12:42
    X@the_LoungeFly· Discussion

    Israeli Dick-Fish Spyware -> Zero Click device infiltration via served ads. https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2…(opens the original post in a new tab)
18. 12:04
    X@TheWorldCorresp· Discussion

    A joint investigation report released on October 15, 2026, by the University of Toronto’s Citizen Lab and the ad-securi…(opens the original post in a new tab)
19. 11:31
    X@Aiyah1· Discussion

    New Zero-Click Spyware Hacked Phones Using Targeted Ads https://www.ft.com/content/b857f1ed-8af6-4d64-b059-912afee1c075…(opens the original post in a new tab)
20. 08:11
    X@widthness· Discussion

    CitizenLab details new spyware triggered by online advertising A new type of spyware dubbed “AdFection” is infecting p…(opens the original post in a new tab)
21. 07:55
    X@DropSiteNews· Discussion

    ⭕ Israeli advertising technology company Discover-Tech helped place sophisticated spyware on dozens of devices used by…(opens the original post in a new tab)
22. 06:59
    X@node14_TLP· Discussion

    Citizen Lab documented spyware delivered through targeted ads. The ads used to follow you around the internet. Appare…(opens the original post in a new tab)
23. 06:00
    X@TweetThreatNews· Discussion

    Citizen Lab linked targeted ads to Candiru spyware attacks against at least 45 Al Jazeera devices in 2024–2025, describ…(opens the original post in a new tab)
24. 05:18
    X@HeyImMrMeeseeks· Discussion

    Citizen Lab just exposed 'AdFection': zero-click spyware riding banner ads! Candiru spyware hit 45 Al Jazeera PCs with…(opens the original post in a new tab)
25. 03:40
    X@democracynow· Discussion

    Israeli Firm Used Targeted Ads to Infect Al Jazeera Devices with Zero-Click Spyware https://www.democracynow.org/2026/1…(opens the original post in a new tab)
26. 02:26
    X@Villgecrazylady· Discussion

    Incase you missed it yesterday, an Israeli marketing firm used website ads to distribute spyware created by Israeli dev…(opens the original post in a new tab)
27. 02:20
    X@BrianKMurphy2· Discussion

    Israeli advertising technology company Discover-Tech helped place sophisticated spyware on dozens of devices used by Al…(opens the original post in a new tab)
28. 01:20
    X@BleepinComputer· Discussion

    Zero-click attacks used targeted ads to deliver Candiru spyware https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/zero-cli…(opens the original post in a new tab)
29. 01:20
    WebBleepingComputer· Media coverage

    Targeted ads installed Candiru spyware in zero-click attacks(opens the original post in a new tab)
30. 00:30
    X@DrewMcM· Discussion

    Perfect timing with #CybersecurityAwarenessMonth and the holidays coming - new reporting on governments using ads to de…(opens the original post in a new tab)

1. 23:40
   X@Leila97726926· Discussion

   Mercenary spyware has been recently been uncovered by "The Citizen Lab" research unit based out of Toronto, Canada. The…(opens the original post in a new tab)
2. 23:33
   X@DI313_· Discussion

   🇮🇱🔍📲 Adblockers are more important than ever: Israeli firm used online ads to run vast spy operation, researchers say…(opens the original post in a new tab)
3. 23:21
   X@JtCrawford· Discussion

   Israeli adtech exploited Google's approval to deliver spyware via targeted ads. Your digital infrastructure is only as…(opens the original post in a new tab)
4. 23:15
   X@ETNOWlive· Discussion

   #WATCH | Can Online Ads Be Weaponised For Digital Spying Without A Single Click? Manav decodes how Israeli ad-tech fir…(opens the original post in a new tab)
5. 22:35
   X@verumnetwork· Discussion

   The investigation by the University of Toronto's Citizen Lab, published on 15 October 2026, describes the first publicl…(opens the original post in a new tab)
6. 21:59
   X@leahfiles· Discussion

   BREAKING: Israeli spyware is confirmed on our phones. This should be headline news but none of our mainstream media is…(opens the original post in a new tab)
7. 19:58
   X@RealWorld_Ops· Discussion

   @TechCrunch Online ads can be more than annoying - they can become a spyware delivery channel. Citizen Lab linked zero…(opens the original post in a new tab)
8. 19:16
   X@RMCholewa· Discussion

   Zero-click spyware infecting devices through online ads, researchers say https://therecord.media/spyware-citizen-lab-ad…(opens the original post in a new tab)
9. 18:59
   X@earljackson1776· Discussion

   Zero-Click Spyware Infecting Devices Through Online Ads The ads “covertly directed millions of devices to contact Cand…(opens the original post in a new tab)
10. 17:46
    X@VocalPolitics1· Discussion

    An Israeli occupation advertising company is accused of exploiting the global online advertising system to profile user…(opens the original post in a new tab)
11. 17:33
    X@newstdot· Discussion

    Citizen Lab Says Israeli Ad Firm Discover-Tech Used Targeted Ads to Deliver Spyware https://tdotnews.com/25307(opens the original post in a new tab)
12. 17:31
    X@techsnif· Discussion

    Citizen Lab details AdFection, a zero-click spyware campaign where an Israeli ad company routed targets to spyware serv…(opens the original post in a new tab)
13. 00:01
    The Hacker News

    Citizen Lab traces Al Jazeera zero-click Candiru spyware infections to targeted online ads

    Citizen Lab says Israeli spyware vendor Candiru infected Al Jazeera devices through ordinary online ads, with the attack requiring no user click or any action, and at least 45 devices targeted between 2024 and 2025. Researchers say the ads were placed by Discover-Tech, which describes itself as a digital advertising company; when an ad loads, the device's advertising ID and network address are sent back to its server, which determines whether the device is a target and whether to deliver attack code. The ad itself contains no malicious content, so the ad networks that served it had nothing detectable. They recovered a spyware sample from one device whose code techniques match the Candiru tool dismantled in 2021, and on that basis linked it to Candiru with high confidence; the research does not say which government was responsible. Google and IAB Europe removed Discover-Tech from vendor lists in early October, Google cut off its ad exchange access, Beeswax removed it, and Vungle suspended its access pending review.

1. 18:00
   WIRED Security and AI

   Citizen Lab discloses AdFection attack: zero-click spyware infects phones via targeted ads

   The University of Toronto's Citizen Lab disclosed an attack campaign named AdFection, where spyware silently infects devices through targeted ads while users browse apps or web pages. Between 2024 and 2025, Citizen Lab determined that 45 devices at Al Jazeera were compromised by zero-click attacks delivered via ads, with the related targeted ads served by the Israeli marketing company Discover-Tech, and the spyware attributed to Israeli developer Candiru. After a joint investigation with Citizen Lab and security firm Confiant, Google banned Discover-Tech's ad platform and set Safe Browsing warnings, and IAB Europe also suspended its eligibility in the global vendor list GVL. Researchers estimate that millions of devices were directed to Candiru servers, and from March to June this year, related ads appeared in over 70,000 mobile apps and 120,000 websites.

2. 18:00
   CyberScoop

   AdFection: how mercenary spyware compromises victims' devices through targeted ads

   The University of Toronto's Citizen Lab has disclosed a zero-click spyware delivery method called AdFection, in which attackers use targeted ads to make devices automatically connect to mercenary spyware servers such as Candiru. Citizen Lab says the Israeli company Discover-Tech, ostensibly an advertising firm, actually facilitates several mercenary spyware partners, including Candiru, and that its ads directed millions of devices to Candiru servers, possibly for large-scale tracking and surveillance. The research says at least 45 devices at Al Jazeera were hit by zero-click attacks linked to Candiru, and that between March and June this year Discover-Tech's ads appeared on more than 120,000 websites and more than 70,000 mobile apps; according to an investigation by ad security company Confiant, the ads also appeared on networks including the U.S. Department of Defense, NATO, and the International Atomic Energy Agency.

1. Date not given
   The Citizen LabSelected

   Exposing AdFection: How Discover-Tech turned targeted advertising into a delivery pipeline for zero-click mercenary spyware

   Citizen Lab published an investigation report stating that between 2024 and 2025, at least 45 devices of the international news organization Al Jazeera were infected through targeted advertising with zero-click mercenary spyware linked to Candiru, and the research team named this technique AdFection. The report states that the Israeli company Discover-Tech operated as a legitimate advertiser, and its Controlium platform could de-anonymize specific users at ad render time, perform device fingerprinting and deliver code. About 4 billion bid records show that its ads appeared on nearly 200,000 websites and Android/iOS apps over four months. Google and IAB Europe have removed Discover-Tech from their ad vendor lists, and Google terminated its access to its ad exchange.

Current attention 47·Peak in the comparable period 57 (Oct 24 03:00)·Change over the comparable past 24 hours 0%