However the fact that this spyware is targeting websites creates a huge problem, in that it just takes a few users who have little or inadequate system protection, and a PPC advert is compromised.

I will be interested to see how Google tackle this issue, and what can be done to prevent something that seems a difficult issue to fix. It will be interesting to see if Google covers this issue publicly, as it will obviously have major implications on those users looking to purchase a PPC campaign if they know the clicks received are not genuine.

Yes, my mistake I get it now. I had confused Adsense with Adwords!

Another question that comes to mind, where does the ‘fake click’ come from? Is this generated from within the consumers computer or offsite?

What I am trying to get at is if the click is generated by one IP but the session on the merchants website another this could be a clue to this kind of fraud.?

Really interesting article (I like the blogstorm emails because they are short enough to actually read! in a few minutes).

One thing I am still a little unclear on though is who makes money. The only winner here is Google. That is to say, I have a few adsense campaigns, if i knew that a particular person was likely to book through our business I would be crazy to force them to follow a link using spyware when they would have arrived on a free channel… I would serve them a display ad… or send an email… even a direct mailing response.

I mean unless it is an avertising agency trying to make themselves look good.. or content networks trying to increase clicks (and commission from the ads) I do not see how how the scammer makes money.

Anyway, if you could shed some more light on this aspect that would be much appreciated.

Kind regards

chirlemann