Spotify has said sorry to its users for running an virus-infected advert in Europe.
The advertisement, which appeared within Spotify’s Windows desktop software, had the ability to infect computers without being clicked on. The virus in it would install a bogus "Windows Recovery" anti-virus program on the users’ computer. The virus targeted users running Windows and without an anti-virus software on their computers.
The online music service company said that it has found and removed the advertisement with an embedded malware. It said that the virus would have affected only Spotify Free and Open customers in the UK, Sweden, France and Spain.
Spotify said, "Users with anti-virus software will have been protected."
"We quickly removed all third party display ads in order to protect users and ensure Spotify was safe to use."
Spotify has assured its users that it is working to ensure that such an incident does not recur.
The company said, "We sincerely apologise to any users affected. We’ll continue working hard to ensure this does not happen again and that our users enjoy Spotify securely and in confidence."
