Your Phone Can Get Hacked Just by Seeing an Ad

Your phone can be infected with spyware simply by loading an online, without you clicking anything, the National Cyber Emergency Response Team (National CERT) has cautioned.

Key points

• The warning is based on research published by Citizen Lab on October 15, 2026.
• According to the advisory, Citizen Lab documented a high-confidence finding that devices at Al Jazeera were targeted and infected with Candiru spyware using this method.
• Nevertheless, National CERT clarified that simply seeing an does not confirm that a device has been targeted or compromised.
• In its latest advisory, National CERT remarked attackers are exploiting online advertising networks to target mobile devices.
• The attack may involve delivering malicious code through ads, picking out selected devices, and exploiting flaws in browsers, apps, or operating systems to gain access.

In its latest advisory, National CERT remarked attackers are exploiting online advertising networks to target mobile devices. Users do not need to click a suspicious link, open an attachment, or take any action for the attack to work.

Meanwhile, the advisory highlighted a technique known as "AdFection." It lets attackers misuse digital advertising systems to profile users and deliver mercenary spyware through ads shown on websites and mobile apps.

For context, the warning is based on research published by Citizen Lab on October 15, 2026. The same research discovered that Pakistan was among the most targeted countries in the ad-based spyware campaign.

Notably, the attack may involve delivering malicious code through ads, picking out selected devices, and exploiting flaws in browsers, apps, or operating systems to gain access.

Nevertheless, National CERT clarified that simply seeing an does not confirm that a device has been targeted or compromised. What Is at Risk.

National CERT cautioned that a successful infection could expose private communications, photos, files, account passwords, and other sensitive data.

It additionally flagged risks of unauthorized surveillance, device takeover, and leaks of administration, corporate, research, and media-related information. The actual damage depends on the flaws exploited, the device's software version, and the spyware's capabilities. How to Stay Safe. National CERT advised users to.

Organizations were advised to consider ad-blocking and browser-level protections, preserve security logs, strengthen device monitoring, and seek specialist digital forensics support in suspected cases.

For context, the agency, which lately cautioned staff regarding another security risk, remarked credible signs of spyware activity or targeted cyber incidents can be documented through its official incident-reporting mechanism. Stay Connected with ProPakistani.

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Taken together, the developments around your Phone Can Get Hacked Just by Seeing an Ad point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.