Google can now automatically sift Web traffic from three of the major ad-fraud botnets, responsible for malware on half a million devices.
The company has developed a filter that marketers can use through Google Display Network and DoubleClick Bid Manager.
Google said its latest move will boost its defenses against invalid traffic generated by ad fraud malware Bedep as well as two other malware families which Google calls “Beetal” and “Changthangi.”
These bots install adware and other malicious programs into the infected devices. These three botnets have already infected more than half-a-million electronic devices, but Google has further reinforced its existing botnet defenses across its ad systems and says it can now stop all three.
“Our move to consistently and confidently cut out the traffic from these botnets represents a significant milestone in the defense of our advertising ecosystem,” said Andres Ferrate, chief advocate, ad traffic quality at Google in a blog post Tuesday. “Identifying ad fraud malware and protecting ad platforms against botnets is a sophisticated effort that requires deep technical knowledge, diligence, and the ability to think several steps ahead. It’s a game of chess against an opponent that is constantly changing the rules.”
Additionally, Google said it has a new feature that is “resilient to possible changes” made to the malware that generates botnet traffic.