Ad Network Click Frauds Lead to Rise in Harmful Scripted Codes

According to a recently released report by Click Forensics Inc., an increase in click frauds from Ad networks in place of search engines led to a growth in malevolent scripted codes during Q1 2009.

Chief outcomes of the Q1 2009 Click Fraud Index indicate that unlike malware and botnets, these new dangers prevail in the form of simple JavaScript software that becomes active when a site is visited or a page is viewed.

Thus, security researchers stated that Ad networks turned into more easy victims of these threats in Q1 2009. As it appeared to the end-users, the malevolent codes launched fake clicks off the screen.

Tom Cuthbert, President of Click Forensics, comments that it is not necessary that Ad networks are greatly exposed to malicious scripted attacks, but the research data suggests they are increasingly struck by click fraud assaults as scammers seek the easier path to attack, as reported by mediapost on April 23, 2009.

Meanwhile, the mean rate of click fraud for the industry was 13.8% during Q1 2009, a dip from 17.1% during Q4 2008 as well as from 16.3% during Q1 2008. Moreover, the maximum number of click frauds originating from nations beyond the US borders during Q1 2009 were Germany, the UK and Canada.

Click Forensic states that the decline in CPCs (Cost Per Clicks) as well as the progress Google and Yahoo had made in preventing click frauds that originate from botnets helped in reducing the general rate of click frauds during Q1 2009.

Nevertheless, a rise in attacks with malicious scripts against Ad networks has traditionally proven to be more vulnerable to such kinds of dangers. Advertisers need to closely watch traffic flowing out of these sources in the coming year.

Moreover, the data further showed that schemes pertaining to click frauds are becoming more and more sophisticated, complicated and harder to spot.

Click frauds target Google most and it is an extremely sensitive matter for the company, whose largest income is generated from online advertising of the type influenced by this hazard.

Related article: AT&T Website Faces Hackers’ Axe

» SPAMfighter News - 5/5/2009