Scammers claim reward in Bitcoin for AdSense users

The KrebsOnSecurity blog reported a new blackmail method used against those who use banner ads through Google AdSense. Some website owners have reported that they have received an email asking fraudsters to reward in Bitcoin to prevent an attack.

“Soon, no doubt, your AdSense account will show a suspension notification! This will happen because we are about to flood your site with a huge amount of directly generated bot traffic with a 100% rejection ratio and thousands of rotating IPs – a nightmare for each AdSense publisher. Moreover, we will adjust our botes to open, in an endless cycle, with different duration of time, each AdSense banner running on your site. “

Scams demand a reward in Bitcoin to prevent a $ 5,000 attack.

The user who shared the message with KrebsOnSecurity said that recent AdSense traffic statistics have detected invalid traffic growth.

Classic threat sabotage

Google has called the scam a classic threat sabotage, in which the attacker tries to trigger an enforcement action against a publisher by sending invalid traffic.

This year, Google tightened its policies for AdSense ads:

“This year, we will further improve our defense systems by improving systems that identify potentially invalid traffic or high-risk activity before advertising is released. These allow us to limit the delivery of advertisements, as needed, to further protect our advertisers and users. “

explained Google.

Previously, Google also implemented a tough policy regarding decentralization and cryptocurrencies. The most prominent example of hostility from Google appeared in June 2018, when the company announced it would ban all cryptocurrency ads. This restriction was implemented by updating its financial services policy.

Most recently, he excluded keywords that mention Ethereum (ETH) from his advertising platform, Google Ads. Google has confirmed that “Ethereum” has been blacklisted as a keyword “regardless of the nature of the service being promoted.”