Impact of Adsense Fraud on Over 11,000 WordPress Sites

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Adsense fraud is a growing problem for many websites, and it has recently been discovered that nearly 11,000 WordPress sites have been impacted by this type of malicious activity. The issue was first identified by security researchers at Wordfence, who noticed an increase in the number of malicious requests being sent to Google AdSense servers from compromised WordPress sites.

The researchers found that attackers were using these compromised sites to generate fraudulent clicks on ads served through Google’s ad network. This type of attack is known as “clickjacking” and can be used to generate revenue for the attacker without the knowledge or consent of the website owner. In some cases, attackers may even use automated scripts to send thousands of fake clicks per day in order to maximize their profits.

Wordfence estimates that over 10,800 WordPress sites have been affected by this type of attack since April 2019. While most victims are likely unaware they are being targeted, there are several signs which could indicate if your site has become a victim:

– An unusually high number of page views with no corresponding increase in user engagement;

– A sudden drop-off in organic search traffic;

– Unusually high levels of referral traffic from unknown sources; and

– Unexpected spikes in server resource usage (e.g., CPU or memory).

If you suspect your site may be under attack, it is important to take immediate action as clickjacking attacks can quickly drain your budget and damage your reputation with advertisers if left unchecked. To protect yourself against such threats, consider implementing measures such as two-factor authentication for all users accessing sensitive areas within your site (e.g., admin panel) and regularly scanning for malware using reputable security solutions like Wordfence Security Scanner Pro or Sucuri SiteCheck Malware Scanner & Cleaner Toolkit . Additionally, you should also ensure all plugins installed on your site are up-to-date with the latest version available from its developer(s). Finally , make sure you keep an eye out for any suspicious activity related to AdSense accounts associated with your website – including changes made without authorization – so you can take appropriate action before any significant damage occurs .

Adsense fraud is becoming increasingly common due to its potential profitability , but fortunately there are steps webmasters can take to protect themselves against such threats . By staying vigilant about monitoring their websites , keeping software up-to-date , and taking proactive measures like two factor authentication when necessary , website owners will be better equipped than ever before when it comes time defending against malicious actors looking exploit vulnerable systems .

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