Click injection is a type of mobile app fraud involving malicious software or scripts to artificially generate clicks on ads or other elements within an app. The goal of click injection is typically to generate revenue for the app developer or advertiser by artificially inflating the number of clicks on ads or other elements within the app. This can be done by using various techniques, such as simulating user interactions with the app, creating fake clicks, or using bots to automate the process.
Click injection and click spamming are both types of mobile app fraud that involve the generation of fake clicks on ads or other elements within an app. However, there are differences between the two:
Click injection is a more sophisticated form of mobile app fraud that uses malicious software or scripts to generate fake clicks on ads. The goal is to artificially inflate the number of clicks on ads or other elements within the app to generate revenue for the app developer or advertiser.
On the other hand, click spamming is a simpler form of mobile app fraud that typically involves bots or other automated tools to generate large numbers of fake clicks on ads. The goal is to artificially inflate the number of clicks on ads or other elements within the app in order to generate revenue for the app developer or advertiser.
Generally, click injection is more difficult to detect because it can simulate real user interactions with the app, making it difficult for advertisers or app developers to identify the fraud. However, in comparison to click injections, click spamming is easier to detect as it generates fake clicks in a repetitive pattern.
There are multiple techniques that can be used to carry out click injection. One common method is to simulate user interactions with the app, such as by creating fake clicks or using bots to automate the process. These fake clicks can be made to appear as if they are coming from real users, making it difficult for advertisers or app developers to detect the fraud.
Another technique often used in click injection is installing malicious software or scripts on a user's device. This can be done by tricking the user into downloading a seemingly legitimate app or by exploiting vulnerabilities in the device's operating system. Once the malware is installed, it can generate fake clicks on ads or other elements within the app.
Click injection can cause several problems, including reduced ad revenue for legitimate app developers, increased costs for advertisers, and a degraded user experience for app users. Advertisers may not get the click-through rate they were expecting, and they may be paying for fake clicks, which leads to more expenses and reduced revenue. In addition, users may be exposed to ads that they did not intend to see, and the presence of malicious software or scripts may negatively impact the app's performance.
To prevent click injection, mobile apps can consider using an MMP like Airbridge to implement mobile ad fraud detection and protection. With the technical measure of using an MMP, mobile apps should also implement a non-technical method, such as implementing strict security measures to protect against malware and other types of cyberattacks.
