Characterizing and Measuring Misleading and Harmful Online Ad Content at Scale - USENIX Enigma 2023

Explore the critical issue of misleading and harmful online ad content in this 20-minute conference talk from USENIX Enigma 2023. Delve into Eric Zeng's research from Carnegie Mellon University as he argues for increased scrutiny and transparency in online advertising. Examine how malicious actors exploit ad networks to distribute scams, malware, and deceptive content to millions of users. Gain insights into the social engineering techniques and dark patterns employed in online ads, and understand why additional research is crucial for addressing these threats. Learn why the computer security and privacy community should expand its focus beyond privacy and web security issues to include the content of online advertisements.