Malicious ads target Australian nuclear science agency

A report published by Citizen Lab, part of the University of Toronto, stated that Israel-based Discover-Tech used digital advertising technology to distribute zero-click spyware. Many institutions, including the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) and Synchrotron Australia, were targeted.

According to the report by the University of Toronto research group Citizen Lab, Israel-based Discover-Tech enabled spyware to be installed on devices via online advertising without requiring any clicks or actions from users. It is assessed that millions of devices worldwide, along with the ANSTO and Synchrotron Australia facilities, were targeted. It was stated that this technology was used not only to install spyware, but also to collect device information, monitor browsing activity, and determine geographic location.

Following awareness of the findings, Google removed Discover-Tech from its platform. An ANSTO spokesperson stated that no impact on systems, infrastructure, or information was detected regarding the techniques mentioned in the report. Meanwhile, Professor Diarmaid Harkin from Deakin University noted that the use of the online advertising ecosystem to facilitate espionage highlights the necessity of increasing industry audits.