Click fraud glossary

SDK spoofing is a fraudulent technique where bad actors simulate app installations or user interactions by generating fake software development kit (SDK) events. This allows them to generate false ad clicks and fraudulent traffic, tricking advertisers into paying for non-existent user engagement and wasting marketing budgets.

Traffic arbitrage is a technique where advertisers buy traffic from one source at a low cost and resell it to another platform at a higher price, often involving potentially fraudulent methods like generating fake clicks or misleading ad placements to profit from the difference between buying and selling ad traffic.

Traffic laundering is a deceptive practice where fraudsters generate fake website visits and clicks by routing traffic through multiple websites and networks. This manipulative technique makes invalid or bot-generated traffic appear legitimate, potentially causing advertisers to pay for nonexistent or fraudulent user interactions.

A trojan is a type of malicious software disguised as legitimate that can secretly infiltrate a computer system. In the context of click fraud, trojans can be used to generate fake website clicks, mask the true source of traffic, and potentially steal sensitive advertising data or manipulate pay-per-click campaigns.