Clickjacking is type of advertising fraud where attackers trick users into clicking something different from what they think they're clicking. The deceptive practice uses multiple transparent or opaque layers to hide the real content. Users believe they are interacting with a legitimate webpage element, but are actually clicking on something completely different.
How clickjacking works
Attackers create an invisible layer that sits on top of a legitimate webpage. This invisible layer contains buttons or links that perform unwanted actions. The user sees what appears to be a normal website element, like a "Play Video" button. But when clicked, they're actually interacting with the hidden malicious element.
Common clickjacking tactics
Clickjackers use several methods to deceive users and advertisers:
- Invisible overlay frames that capture clicks meant for legitimate content
- Tiny 1x1 pixel buttons that are nearly impossible to see
- Fake play buttons on video thumbnails that lead to fraudulent sites
- Deceptive advertising elements that generate fake clicks
Impact on advertising
For advertisers, clickjacking can drain ad budgets through fake clicks. These fraudulent interactions appear legitimate in analytics tools. This makes it harder to detect the ad fraud.
Advertisers often pay per click, so clickjacking directly impacts their bottom line. A single clickjacking attack can generate thousands of fake clicks in minutes.
Protection against clickjacking
Website owners can implement several security measures to prevent clickjacking:
- X-Frame-Options HTTP headers to control how pages can be framed
- Content Security Policy (CSP) directives
- Frame-busting JavaScript code
- Click fraud detection software that identifies suspicious patterns
Why it matters for digital advertising
Clickjacking threatens the integrity of online advertising metrics. It creates artificial engagement that skews campaign data. This makes it harder for advertisers to measure real ROI.
The practice also erodes trust in digital advertising platforms. Users become wary of clicking ads. Advertisers question the validity of their click data.
