Author/Source: Brian Krebs See the full link here
Takeaway
This article explains how two large networks of hijacked computers, called botnets, were used to create fake internet traffic. You will learn about how these botnets tricked websites and advertisers by pretending to be real users.
Technical Subject Understandability
Intermediate
Analogy/Comparison
Using these botnets is like hiring actors to pretend to be customers in a store so the store can claim it’s very popular and busy.
Why It Matters
These botnets caused real financial harm because advertisers paid for fake clicks and views. For example, the article mentions that the botnets could generate millions of fake visits to websites, costing advertisers money for traffic that wasn’t real people.
Related Terms
Botnet, Ad fraud, Anti-detection software. Jargon Conversion: A botnet is a group of many computers that someone secretly controls to do tasks without the owners knowing. Ad fraud is when people trick advertisers into paying for fake views or clicks on online ads. Anti-detection software is a program that helps computer users hide what they are doing online.
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