Published on: May 9, 2025
iOS users who have Malwarebytes on their devices won’t have to deal with Google’s sponsored ads on the Safari browser any longer. Malwarebytes, which has one of the best antivirus software on the current market, has introduced a critical update to its iOS app.
“If you’ve used our iOS app before, you already know it blocks ads on webpages and ad trackers. But with our newest feature, we’re extending protection to cover those annoying and potentially dangerous sponsored ads listed on search results,” the announcement form Malwarebytes reads.
This update aims to improve iOS users’ security by preventing cybercriminals from exploiting ads to distribute malware or direct users to harmful websites.
“Sponsored ads on Google search don’t just irritate users—they also provide a dangerous opportunity for cybercriminals to spread malware and scams to their unsuspecting victims. What looks like a harmless search result can be a carefully disguised trap,” the company’s blog post reads.
Malwarebytes said a lot of hackers use malicious ads to steal information and get into people’s phones.
The security company pointed to several threats its researchers found within sponsored ads, including Mac stealers delivered through Google Ads, scams targeting popular utility software, and tech support traps. The company also highlighted that some scammers are using advanced AI tools to craft highly convincing ads and web pages.
“At Malwarebytes, our researchers have uncovered a variety of threats hiding in plain sight within these sponsored ads, including Mac stealers distributed through Google Ads, scams targeting popular utility software, and tech support traps. In some cases, scammers use advanced AI tools like DeepSeek AI to create convincing ads and web pages, increasing the risk to unsuspecting users,” Malwarebytes said.
Its iOS app offers other great protection, too, including SMS filtering and scam call blocking. You can find our full review of Malwarebytes here.