Networks of compromised computers (viruses, Trojans, worms), known as Botnet, without the knowledge of computer users are increasingly involved in clicking on ads like Google AdSense or Yahoo Publisher Network. Such ads bring revenue to the owners of the sites, if you click on them.

Clearly, here is a fraud, and advertisers lose money, spending it on the page authors of malicious software (to assume that Botnet is directed to pages of which has a financial benefit). Of course, a certain part of fraud clicks are detected and the money for them not to be paid.

“Click Forensics” company engaged in the research of the “clicking on the ads” announced the results related to the last two years, where is clearly visible increase (attempts) of fraud by Botnet. In fact, in the first quarter of 2007 percentage of fraud clicks of Botnet was 9%, but this number climbed to over 31% in the last quarter of last year.

Tags | Advertising, Internet, Internet Marketing, Security