Google Ads are not safe anymore? Hackers can access your device if you ignore this

Google Ads are back in the limelight, as a new cyber threat was recently discovered by experts who found that the malicious software had targeted those searching for the Claude AI application on their Macs. The threat came up in Google-sponsored ads, which made it seem credible to regular users. This information was revealed by Berk Albayrak, a security engineer at Trendyol Group, on his LinkedIn page. The attack highlights a growing problem where hackers misuse online advertisements to spread harmful software. Experts now warn that clicking the wrong sponsored result could expose personal data, compromise devices, and put users at serious security risk online today.

Fake Claude ads found on Google Search

The latest malware campaign targeted users searching ‘Claude download mac’ on Google. According to a LinkedIn post shared by Berk Albayrak, the sponsored ad looked genuine and even redirected users to a legitimate-looking Claude AI page.

However, users were then instructed to paste commands into the Mac Terminal app. Those commands silently downloaded malware onto the device. Reports suggest the harmful software mainly runs in memory, making it harder to detect or remove. Cybersecurity publication BleepingComputer also reportedly found another similar malicious Claude-related campaign.

Why should you worry?

Many people have a tendency to believe the initial few hits on Google searches, particularly those sponsored by businesses. Hackers have exploited this tendency by designing ads that mimic official business pages.

What makes this attack more worrying is its stealthy nature. Since the malware leaves limited traces on storage drives, users may not realise their system has already been compromised. Experts say these scams are becoming more common because online advertising platforms offer attackers easy visibility.

Security engineer Berk Albayrak, who works with Trendyol Group, publicly shared screenshots and details of the malicious ad campaign on LinkedIn. His post warned users to avoid blindly trusting sponsored search results while downloading software. The post has since gained attention among cybersecurity professionals and everyday internet users alike.

How to stay safe from fake Google Ads

Follow the easy steps below to stay safe against the Google Ads scam:

• Make sure that you only download any applications from the official website or the trusted platforms.
• Avoid clicking sponsored search results whenever possible. You can check if a result provided to you by Google has a sponsored tag next to it to check if it’s paid or not.
• If a website asks you to paste unknown commands into Terminal or Command Prompt to download the app, never do it unless you’re familiar with the commands.
• You can also use ad blockers to filter your search results and ensure that you have an extra layer of protection with you.
• Double-check the website URLs before downloading files from them.
• You can also download an antivirus to keep your device protected. Moreover, many antiviruses now also come with a feature that allows you to disable online ads.