Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT) has taken the battle against “malvertisers” to the courts — with a series of lawsuits against advertisers who it alleges linked to malicious code in their ads. In one of the cases, the defendant put ads on Microsoft’s MSN network purporting to represent a travel agency looking for work-from-home employees. People who clicked on the ads were directed to a site pitching fake anti-virus software, Microsoft says. In another case, the defendants’ ad reportedly directly linked to a site which was distributing viruses. Microsoft is seeking injunctions and asking the defendants to pay up damages — but the company is also saying it hopes the suits “will help deter malvertising in the future.” The lawsuit comes only days after the NYT had to run a notice on its website warning readers because someone had purchased an ad that linked to fake anti-virus software.
It might not be enough to make a trend, but Microsoft has been notably active in fighting various types of ad fraud via the court system lately. In June, it filed its first ever lawsuit targeting click fraud. Microsoft says that in both cases it is acting in order to protect the online advertising industry.

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