iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
In November 2023, some mobile visitors to AP News, ESPN and CBS Sports were redirected by malicious ads to a fake security scanner. Malwarebytes said the publishers’ websites were not hacked; the incident was attributed to malvertising, and its report does not establish whether related activity is happening now.
What happened to visitors on AP News, ESPN and CBS Sports?
Malwarebytes researcher Jérôme Segura reported on November 30, 2023, that mobile visitors to AP News, ESPN and CBS Sports had encountered redirects to a fake virus scanner. Malwarebytes described the incident as malicious advertising rather than a breach of the publishers’ websites. Segura put it plainly: “To be clear, AP, ESPN, CBS and other sites were not hacked, but rather showed malicious ads.” Malwarebytes’ incident report gives the account and its limits.
How did the fake alert reach visitors?
Malwarebytes attributed the advertising campaign’s infrastructure to ScamClub, an actor it said had been involved in this type of activity since 2018. The report described ad exchanges and real-time bidding as part of the delivery chain: an ad can be selected and served through advertising systems without the publisher itself creating or approving the malicious content.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Malwarebytes could not determine precisely which entity served the particular ad. The fake scanner was hosted at systemmeasures[.]life and redirected visitors to an affiliate whose identity was not established. Malwarebytes said the landing-page site had been reported to Cloudflare and flagged as phishing. A contemporaneous TechTarget summary also described a fake McAfee-branded scanner and an unidentified affiliate.
#1 Best Overall
- SPEED-OPTIMIZED, CROSS-PLATFORM PROTECTION: World-class antivirus security and cyber protection for Windows (Windows 7 with Service Pack 1, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, and Windows 11), Mac OS (Yosemite 10.10 or later), iOS (11.2 or later), and Android (5.0 or later). Organize and keep your digital life safe from hackers
- SAFE ONLINE BANKING: A unique, dedicated browser secures your online transactions; Our Total Security product also includes 200MB per day of our new and improved Bitdefender VPN
- ADVANCED THREAT DEFENSE: Real-Time Data Protection, Multi-Layer Malware and Ransomware Protection, Social Network Protection, Game/Movie/Work Modes, Microphone Monitor, Webcam Protection, Anti-Tracker, Phishing, Fraud, and Spam Protection, File Shredder, Parental Controls, and more
- ECO-FRIENDLY PACKAGING: Your product-specific code is printed on a card and shipped inside a protective cardboard sleeve. Simply open packaging and scratch off security ink on the card to reveal your activation code. No more bulky box or hard-to-recycle discs. PLEASE NOTE: Product packaging may vary from the images shown, however the product is the same.
Was the scanner really from McAfee?
No. Malwarebytes explicitly said the scanner was not run by McAfee. A familiar security-company name or logo on a pop-up does not prove the alert came from that company. The report describes fake branding used to make a malicious redirect look like a legitimate security warning.
Did the publishers’ websites get hacked?
Malwarebytes said AP News, ESPN and CBS Sports were not hacked in this incident; their visitors were shown malicious ads. That distinction matters: an ad-delivery chain can expose visitors to harmful content even when the publisher’s own site has not been compromised. The report does not identify the precise ad-serving entity, so it does not establish exactly where in that chain the malicious ad entered.
Rank #2
![Norton 360 Deluxe 2027 Antivirus, 5 Devices, Auto-Renews [Download]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41IYV5zGyCL._SL160_.jpg)
- ONGOING PROTECTION Download instantly & install protection for 5 PCs, Macs, iOS or Android devices in minutes!
- TOP-PERFORMING VPN Faster speeds, more server locations, and greater connection control to protect your privacy across all your devices, including Smart TVs.
- ADVANCED SCAM PROTECTION Help spot hidden scams online. With the built-in Genie AI assistant, you’ll never wonder if a message or email is suspicious again.
- REAL-TIME PROTECTION Advanced security protects against existing and emerging malware threats, including ransomware and viruses, and it won’t slow down your device performance.
- DARK WEB MONITORING Identity thieves can buy or sell your information on websites and forums. We search the dark web and notify you should your information be found.
When did the campaign happen, and is it still active?
The report said activity involving the named publishers peaked around November 19, 2023, after several weeks of renewed ScamClub activity. It also said the high-profile campaign appeared to stop shortly after those observations, based on telemetry available at the time. That is a historical assessment, not confirmation of the campaign’s status today. The November 2023 sources do not establish the present status of ScamClub, the domain, or related redirects.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesWhat should you do if a page shows a virus warning?
- Do not click the alert, download its “scanner,” call a phone number it displays, or enter payment or account details.
- Close the tab or browser. If it will not close normally, force-close the browser and reopen it without restoring the suspicious page.
- If you downloaded a file or installed an app from the alert, do not open it. Remove the download or app and use your device’s normal security settings or a trusted security provider to check the device.
- If you entered a password or payment details, change the affected password through the service’s official site or app and contact your bank or card issuer as appropriate.
These are general precautions for an unexpected browser alert; Malwarebytes’ incident report does not say that every visitor was infected or that a particular cleanup was required.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- POWERFUL, LIGHTNING-FAST ANTIVIRUS: Protects your computer from viruses and malware through the cloud; Webroot scans faster, uses fewer system resources and safeguards your devices in real-time by identifying and blocking new threats
- IDENTITY THEFT PROTECTION: Protects your usernames, account numbers and other personal information against keyloggers, spyware and other online threats targeting valuable personal data
- REAL-TIME ANTI-PHISHING: Proactively scans websites, emails and other communications and warns you of potential danger before you click to effectively stop malicious attempts to steal your personal information
- ALWAYS UP TO DATE: Webroot scours 95% of the Internet three times per day including billions of web pages, files and apps to determine what is safe online and enhances the software automatically without time-consuming updates
Rank #4
- THREAT DETECTION – Stay one step ahead. Suspicious links, risky sites, viruses, and scams, caught automatically before they reach you.
- PERSONAL INFO PROTECTION – Keep your personal info safer. Identity monitoring watches for your exposed info and tells you what to do about it.
- SECURE CONNECTIONS – Just a few easy clicks, and we'll automatically protect your info on public Wi‑Fi, every time you connect.
- GUIDED ACTION – Know what matters and what to do next. Clear alerts and simple guidance make it easy to take action.
- MORE THAN ANTIVIRUS – Scam protection, identity monitoring, VPN, web protection, and antivirus work together to protect you, all in one place.
Rank #3
![Norton 360 Premium 2027 Antivirus, 10 Devices, Auto-Renews [Download]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41JNWru8mYL._SL160_.jpg)
- ONGOING PROTECTION Download instantly & install protection for 10 PCs, Macs, iOS or Android devices in minutes!
- TOP-PERFORMING VPN Faster speeds, more server locations, and greater connection control to protect your privacy across all your devices, including Smart TVs.
- ADVANCED SCAM PROTECTION Help spot hidden scams online. With the built-in Genie AI assistant, you’ll never wonder if a message or email is suspicious again.
- REAL-TIME PROTECTION Advanced security protects against existing and emerging malware threats, including ransomware and viruses, and it won’t slow down your device performance.
- DARK WEB MONITORING Identity thieves can buy or sell your information on websites and forums. We search the dark web and notify you should your information be found.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
