It does have its flaws though. For example, if you use uBlock Origin, your browser’s requests to the ad networks’ servers never make it.
If you use AdNauseam, the requests do make it. This means the ad networks will get your IP address, what page you were on, browser fingerprints, etc.
Essentially, you spam click ads, but at the cost of… giving them all the data they’d normally get if you didn’t have an ad blocker and spam clicked ads.
Most of these networks can filter out obvious bot behavior like just clicking every single ad repeatedly, so at the end of the day it’s unlikely to do much harm to them, but it sure as hell will give them a lot of trackable data about your browsing history.
I do believe it’s more effective when the extension is set to only click ads somewhat occasionally though. Enough to drain extra money, while still just looking like a person that tends to click ads more frequently than others, instead of clicking every single one.
thank you for this analysis and information. it’s a neat extension and i was considering installing it, but an adblocker is a crucial part of browser security especially when running windows. i have to invent something weird and then do a proper backup, and then i think i’m going to try mint finally but like, every time i set foot outside lately it starts raining. it’s some rain god/portland bullshit. i wouldn’t mind, but i put jeans on. seems like my luck lately, as soon as i install mint, some major malware will be released that ups all the fuck on linux. i am doing y’all a favor yes the universe does too revolve around me it’s not bullshit i’m pulling out my ass my therapist would not have a field day with this. the kind of shit i have to get up to to maintain proper internet opsec it could drive a person sane.
It does have its flaws though. For example, if you use uBlock Origin, your browser’s requests to the ad networks’ servers never make it.
If you use AdNauseam, the requests do make it. This means the ad networks will get your IP address, what page you were on, browser fingerprints, etc.
Essentially, you spam click ads, but at the cost of… giving them all the data they’d normally get if you didn’t have an ad blocker and spam clicked ads.
Most of these networks can filter out obvious bot behavior like just clicking every single ad repeatedly, so at the end of the day it’s unlikely to do much harm to them, but it sure as hell will give them a lot of trackable data about your browsing history.
I do believe it’s more effective when the extension is set to only click ads somewhat occasionally though. Enough to drain extra money, while still just looking like a person that tends to click ads more frequently than others, instead of clicking every single one.
thank you for this analysis and information. it’s a neat extension and i was considering installing it, but an adblocker is a crucial part of browser security especially when running windows. i have to invent something weird and then do a proper backup, and then i think i’m going to try mint finally but like, every time i set foot outside lately it starts raining. it’s some rain god/portland bullshit. i wouldn’t mind, but i put jeans on. seems like my luck lately, as soon as i install mint, some major malware will be released that ups all the fuck on linux. i am doing y’all a favor yes the universe does too revolve around me it’s not bullshit i’m pulling out my ass my therapist would not have a field day with this. the kind of shit i have to get up to to maintain proper internet opsec it could drive a person sane.
🤷