What type of malware distribution involves embedding malicious software in an advertisement?

The type of malware distribution that involves embedding malicious software within advertisements is malvertising. This method leverages online advertisements to spread malware without the need for users to click on anything specifically malicious. When a user visits a website that hosts ads, the embedded malicious code can execute automatically, infecting the user's device without their knowledge.

Malvertising is particularly insidious because it can occur on legitimate websites that users trust, making it difficult for them to recognize that they are at risk. It effectively combines the legitimate appearance of advertisements with harmful intentions, allowing malicious actors to reach a wider audience through commonly visited sites.

Drive-by downloads, on the other hand, refer to downloading malicious software just by visiting a compromised website, but they do not specifically involve advertisements. Phishing is a technique to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information, and while it may use fraudulent ads, it is not centered around malware distribution through advertisements. Spyware is a type of software designed to gather information from a user’s device without their consent, but it does not relate directly to the distribution method through advertisements.