If you could steal a small amount of money from thousands of people you don't know and will never meet, have little to no chance of being caught, and make a lot of money doing it, would you? Me neither, but I think we are in the minority. I've been ranting about click fraud for years and proposed the adoption of "flat-rate" advertising as being the only realistic solution to the problem to Google and others many times. Well, the situation is there in many different forms just as it has been for years, yet no one seems willing to really do more than stick a few fingers in the dike.

Benamin Edelman's site

---

Is Behavioral Targeting Being Used for Click Fraud?

by Steve Smith , Friday, February 5, 2010
Spyware was and still is the bane of neophyte PC users. I don't know how many times over the years I have been enlisted to cure the dysfunctional computers of my teen daughter and her friends. In every case, their youthful, shallow-pocketed pursuit of "free" anything online had led them to sites that inevitably clog their systems with spyware, which, once on a system, opens the door to all of its spy friends. It can take less than a month for a new PC to grind to a halt under the weight of all of those competing background processes.

But according to Harvard Business School Assistant Professor Ben Edelman, spyware and its behavioral tracking is also hurting marketers by contributing to click fraud. In research he published to too little notice last month, Edelman found that spyware surreptitiously planted on PCs was deliberately tracking users' browsing habits to see their likely purchase intent. The spyware knows what merchants the user already visits and likely buys from, and then the system "fakes a click" on the Google pay-per-click ad for the same merchant the consumer already uses.

"If the user proceeds to make a purchase - reasonably likely for a user already intentionally requesting the merchant's site - the merchant will naturally credit Google for the sale," Edelman says in his report. "Furthermore, standard optimization strategy will lead the merchant to increase its Google PPC bid for this keyword on the reasonable (albeit mistaken) view that Google is successfully finding new customers. But in fact Google and its partners are merely taking credit for customers the merchant had already reached by other methods."

One of Edelman's correspondents likens the practice to hiring someone to give out street flyers advertising an establishment. But then the rogue plants himself at the entrance to hand incoming patrons the sheet, effectively getting credit for  "converting" existing customers. 

 Edelman says he tested for this problem on a virtual computer in his lab that was running the Trafficsolar spyware software. He used the PC to browse to sports apparel vendor Finishline.com. He was able to detect that Trafficsolar opened an unlabeled pop-up window that eventually redirected back to Finishline.com via a fake Google PPC click. The path between the spyware and Finishline.com is extremely complex, but Edelman says his screenshots and packet logs show the click being generated on the test PC without user interaction, hopping across seven or eight redirects.

 If these schemes are widespread, then they undermine the trustworthiness of the PPC model in several critical ways, Edelman argues. First, it makes the advertiser pay for a customer it has already acquired. Then it encourages inflated keyword bidding by giving the advertiser the false impression the campaign is working well. And finally, it is producing an illegitimate click, one that the user never actually made.

 Let's say the PPC was valued at $1. Each of the many intermediaries is passing along some share of the original Google fee to the network that redirected the traffic. By the time the original spyware vendor takes a cut, it is likely down to pennies. "The many intermediaries and their many fees, reinforce why this is such a terrible deal for the advertisers," Edelman tells me. "The advertiser agreed to pay a high price for traffic that was supposed to be valuable - worth the full $1 per click. Yet the ultimate seller [the spyware that originated the click path] is willing to sell it for just a penny or two, because the seller is selling something that just isn't worth it. But through the series of intermediaries, the advertiser nonetheless gets charged the high price for the low value placement."

 It is hard to say how prevalent or widespread the offending spyware software is, but Edelman's tests suggest a number of intermediaries are happy to participate in this system. In the model he describes, behavioral targeting is turned on its head to work against rather than for advertising efficiency.

Post your response to the public Behavioral Insider blog.
See what others are saying on the Behavioral Insider blog.

Contributing writer Steve Smith is a lapsed academic who saw the light, bolted the University and spent the last decade as a digital media critic and consultant. He is chair and programmer of OMMA Mobile and OMMA Behavioral conferences from Mediapost and is the Digital Media Editor at Media Industry Newsletter (MIN) from Access Intelligence. Contact him here. 

Do you have strong opinions and inside knowledge about the topic of this newsletter -- and do you want to share your insights, observations and points of view regularly with the readers of MediaPost? To be considered as a MediaPost contributing writer, please send pertinent info about your credentials, plus several column ideas and one example of your writing on the topic, to pfine@mediapost.com. Please see our editorial guidelines here first.

 
Behavioral Insider for Friday, February 5, 2010:
mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=121986

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I just got this today. I can't tell if it is the same scammers that have been doing this for the past couple of years or if it's a new scam to get people worried that they should be registering worthless domain names in China. If anyone DOES register your trademark as a domain, there are ways that don't cost much that can allow you to take if from them.

 

DON'T fall for scam emails like this. Do some searches and you may find that you have nothing to worry about...!

---

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Kelly [mailto:Kelly@jsntwifi.net]
Sent: Thursday, February 04, 2010 2:37 AM
To:  stupid domain owner 
Subject: Dispute from domain

To whom it may concern:               2010-2-4

We are a domain name registration service organization in Asia,

Recently  we received a formal application submited by  Paul Martin who wanted to use the keyword  "I-DONT-EVEN-OWN-THIS-DOMAIN-NAME"   to  register the Internet Brand and Domain Names with suffix  such as .cn /.com.cn /.net.cn/.hk/ .asia/ .

After our initial examination, we found that these domain names to be applied for registration  are same as your  domain name and trademark. If you think that these domain names to be regisrated would produce possible dispute with you or effect your current businesss, now we hold down his application ,you would  contact us as soon as possible   by Fax ,Telephone or Email  in the next 5 working days., otherwise we have to approve his application to register domain names mentioned above .

Yours sincerely

 

Kelly

Checking Department

Tel:   86 513 8532 1087
Fax:  86 513 8532 2065
Email:Kelly@jsntwifi.net

Website: www.jsntwifi.net

Our File No.:2895576

jack@jsntwifi.com

 

 

Facebook Is Fertile Ground

By Kevin Burke Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Facebook has become the whipping boy of privacy wonks and business analysts. For the rest of us, it has become the dominant place to keep in touch with friends. But it also offers a valuable opportunity for businesses -- once businesses recognize this opportunity and act on it. Years ago, email changed the way consumers and businesses communicate. Today, Facebook has provided us with a social network that trumps the communication potential of email. The power of this social network has significant marketing potential.

Businesses often don't recognize or perhaps just forget how powerful Facebook can be as a communication platform. It might be that they are so trained to run display advertising that even when they hear about ads performing poorly on social networks, they're unable to identify the new opportunity. This opportunity, however, is NOT advertising -- It is a chance for enhanced communication, which leads to better relationships and improved services. That's what people want.

Facebook is especially attractive to marketers who are trying to connect with moms because moms' limited time and fragmented attention (they're busy!) make it crucial to market to them using methods that fit into their lifestyles and that adapt to their habits. Lisa Finn and I recently completed a study and report on marketing to moms on Facebook. Moms on Facebook are especially appealing to marketers because of the way that moms use this social network -- to interact and share experiences with other moms as well as to talk about the products and services that play important roles in their lives.

Here are a few interesting nuggets from our study that will help you connect with moms on Facebook:

-They log on frequently. More than eight in 10 moms log on daily, and three in 10 log on five or more times a day.

-hey use the site primarily to interact with others in their social networks - which translates into a lot of potential referrals.

-They are receptive to marketing on the site, as long as it follows their rules. Sixty-four percent said they either like ads on Facebook or feel neutral about them.

-Moms are wary of offers that sound too good to be true and want marketers to respect their boundaries by not overloading them with updates. They welcome coupons and other ways to save money, and they are open to sharing their opinions and ideas with the companies they like.

-Three-quarters of moms are fans of at least one company on Facebook, and parenting-specific sites are moms' top picks.

-There are businesses taking advantage of the marketing and communication opportunities on Facebook. Businesses that moms in our research called out include Cool Mom Picks, 24/7 Moms, Janie and Jack, Sesame Place, Crayola, Starbucks, Kodak, Whole Foods and Trader Joes. There can be so many more.

Facebook is fertile ground for marketers to engage mothers and drive sales, but communication must be on moms' terms. While they don't have time for brands that don't get it, they embrace the brands that play by their rules. So seize this opportunity to use Facebook to connect with moms, a market segment that can add tremendous value to a customer base.

Post your response to the public Engage:Moms blog.
See what others are saying on the Engage:Moms blog.

 Kevin Burke works with businesses that appreciate mothers and want to build relationships with them, to deliver marketing experiences that moms value. He is founder of Lucid Marketing, MomsWhoBlog.com and a partner in HeardItFromAMom.com Reach him here.

Do you have strong opinions and inside knowledge about the topic of this newsletter -- and do you want to share your insights, observations and points of view regularly with the readers of MediaPost? To be considered as a MediaPost contributing writer, please send pertinent info about your credentials, plus several column ideas and one example of your writing on the topic, to pfine@mediapost.com. Please see our editorial guidelines here first.

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For advertising opportunities see our online media kit.  If you'd rather not receive this newsletter in the future click here.  We welcome and appreciate forwarding of our newsletters in their entirety or in part with proper attribution.
(c) 2010 MediaPost Communications, 1140 Broadway, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10001 

---

 

 -----Original Message-----
Subject: .US Domain Names

Hi,
I am selling quite a few of my Generic and Three Letter .US domain names.  Many of these were registered during the Landrush. I have them priced at domainer prices rather than end user prices.

All of these are at Enom and all expire in 2010.

Thanks,
Stuart
Stuart @t Dot.us
=====================
3some.us : $200
adultgames.us : $200
adulthosts.us : $100
adultmagazines.us : $100
adultpictures.us : $150
amateurvideo.us : $100
amps.us : $300
animes.us : $100
article.us : $600
assassin.us : $100
assertive.us : $100
azt.us : $100
babyfoods.us : $100
bancofamerica.us : $100
bandana.us : $200
beachbabes.us : $100
beast.us : $200
births.us : $300
bisexuality.us : $100
bison.us : $200
bmm.us : $250
boredom.us : $200
bpd.us : $200
brawls.us : $100
broadwaymusicals.us : $100
bto.us : $150
bts.us : $150
bullet.us : $200
butchers.us : $100
cage.us : $200
callcenters.us : $200
cameltoes.us : $100
casinobetting.us : $100
casinogaming.us : $100
ccf.us : $250
cea.us : $250
chainsaw.us : $300
cheapcomputers.us : $200
christmascalender.us : $100
clickthru.us : $100
clouds.us : $300
coaster.us : $200
computercases.us : $100
computerfurniture.us : $100
computerrepairs.us : $100
conversion.us : $300
cooltoys.us : $100
cosmeticdentistry.us : $100
costumejewelry.us : $150
cougars.us : $200
cuisine.us : $500
cure.us : $750
cwh.us : $100
cxt.us : $100
dbi.us : $100
defrag.us : $300
demographics.us : $600
designerfragrances.us : $100
deu.us : $250
device.us : $350
diaries.us : $350
dinosaur.us : $500
dinosaurs.us : $500
dirt.us : $300
disasters.us : $300
discipline.us : $200
discountcoupon.us : $100
discountdvds.us : $100
dishwashers.us : $400
dix.us : $250
dlh.us : $100
doi.us : $200
dollhouse.us : $200
downloadmanager.us : $100
dpc.us : $100
drawings.us : $400
eai.us : $300
ears.us : $300
eating.us : $400
educationcenter.us : $100
eighteen.us : $200
emailcash.us : $100
enlightment.us : $100
escortguide.us : $100
euroweightloss.us : $100
evaluation.us : $300
executivebranch.us : $100
exercise.us : $2000
exhibitionism.us : $350
exorcism.us : $200
extension.us : $200
eyespecialist.us : $100
fca.us : $150
feeds.us : $600
femalecelebs.us : $100
firemen.us : $250
fishtank.us : $250
fitnessroutines.us : $100
fjc.us : $100
flames.us : $300
flop.us : $150
foam.us : $200
footspecialists.us : $100
fra.us : $250
freegalleries.us : $100
freeimages.us : $100
freeiqtest.us : $100
freepic.us : $100
freestories.us : $100
funnypicture.us : $100
funnyvideo.us : $200
funphoto.us : $100
gamecheat.us : $100
gameshows.us : $100
gamesites.us : $100
gbr.us : $250
ger.us : $300
ggu.us : $150
ghouls.us : $100
gimp.us : $200
giraffe.us : $250
goofy.us : $200
grapevine.us : $200
graphicsdesigner.us : $100
gtm.us : $100
gua.us : $100
hacks.us : $300
haircut.us : $300
halloffame.us : $100
happiness.us : $300
harvester.us : $100
hci.us : $150
hippie.us : $250
homemovies.us : $100
homerun.us : $100
hopes.us : $100
hormones.us : $200
hotelsearch.us : $200
hotsauce.us : $200
houseprice.us : $100
hypnotist.us : $250
ihp.us : $200
imr.us : $200
inh.us : $200
instantmessaging.us : $100
instantsavings.us : $100
interiordesigns.us : $100
ipods.us : $500
jai.us : $200
jak.us : $200
jetix.us : $250
jiu.us : $200
jockey.us : $200
jta.us : $200
keep.us : $450
keepfit.us : $100
kme.us : $150
kou.us : $150
laid.us : $250
lesbien.us : $100
livenudegirls.us : $100
lkj.us : $100
lotions.us : $200
lun.us : $100
luxuryspas.us : $100
mammal.us : $100
manicures.us : $150
maternityclothes.us : $250
meteor.us : $300
mfy.us : $100
mice.us : $400
milkshakes.us : $100
miraclecure.us : $100
missingpersons.us : $100
moviedatabase.us : $100
movielistings.us : $100
moviestore.us : $100
muffs.us : $100
mugs.us : $450
musicplayer.us : $150
naf.us : $150
nasal.us : $150
nectarine.us : $100
newyorkdating.us : $100
nga.us : $150
nid.us : $150
nlm.us : $100
note.us : $500
nsx.us : $400
nudeart.us : $100
ocb.us : $150
oet.us : $150
ogd.us : $150
oge.us : $150
oic.us : $200
oilpainting.us : $200
olympics.us : $500
onlineauction.us : $300
onlinebargains.us : $100
onlinebooks.us : $100
onlinechat.us : $100
onlinepills.us : $100
onlinevacations.us : $100
opd.us : $150
osm.us : $150
ostrich.us : $300
overclocking.us : $100
ovp.us : $100
owls.us : $350
parody.us : $250
partystore.us : $100
patricia.us : $150
pcp.us : $200
peace.us : $1500
pedicure.us : $450
pele.us : $100
penises.us : $150
personalinvesting.us : $100
peugeot.us : $250
pho.us : $200
phonecompany.us : $100
photographs.us : $2000
pistol.us : $200
pocketguide.us : $100
pocketguides.us : $100
poi.us : $250
poledancers.us : $100
pornpicture.us : $100
pornsites.us : $150
pou.us : $100
practice.us : $450
prank.us : $350
prc.us : $300
problems.us : $500
profanity.us : $100
prostitute.us : $400
prosurfing.us : $100
publication.us : $450
publicschools.us : $150
puertorico.us : $5000
rail.us : $200
rats.us : $400
recliner.us : $300
recordstore.us : $100
relief.us : $150
relish.us : $150
remedy.us : $400
renault.us : $350
rentalhome.us : $100
representative.us : $200
reservationsonline.us : $100
revenge.us : $250
rgj.us : $200
rhs.us : $200
riv.us : $100
rma.us : $150
rou.us : $100
rpggames.us : $150
rulers.us : $150
sbr.us : $150
schoolkids.us : $100
serialfinder.us : $100
sexualfantasy.us : $100
sgh.us : $200
sheepdog.us : $100
shin.us : $100
shotgun.us : $200
silly.us : $250
simcard.us : $100
sins.us : $100
siteexpress.us : $100
skewers.us : $100
skills.us : $500
skunk.us : $200
sleazydream.us : $150
slytherin.us : $100
snapback.us : $100
snowboarders.us : $100
sodium.us : $200
soulmate.us : $100
soundcard.us : $100
spamblocker.us : $100
spank.us : $250
spellcheck.us : $100
spoon.us : $300
squirrel.us : $300
stargate.us : $100
statue.us : $150
statues.us : $150
stockadvice.us : $100
stockmarkets.us : $300
storms.us : $250
successful.us : $450
sum.us : $650
suo.us : $300
survivalguide.us : $100
swimmers.us : $300
swinging.us : $400
taxcenter.us : $100
taxconsultant.us : $100
tda.us : $200
terminator.us : $200
terrorism.us : $400
threesomes.us : $250
thumbnail.us : $250
tick.us : $100
toddlers.us : $250
tongs.us : $100
toyshop.us : $100
tragic.us : $100
trainers.us : $450
transplant.us : $200
transvestites.us : $200
tried.us : $100
tropicalstorm.us : $100
tsp.us : $250
tuk.us : $150
tvshow.us : $150
uba.us : $150
uci.us : $300
udc.us : $250
uniques.us : $100
upto.us : $100
urbanmusic.us : $100
uzi.us : $200
vhr.us : $100
videocard.us : $150
virusscanner.us : $100
vixen.us : $150
vixens.us : $150
vvt.us : $100
warheroes.us : $100
warriors.us : $200
wdw.us : $150
webdesigns.us : $150
weddingcruises.us : $100
weightlossprogram.us : $100
weights.us : $450
weighttraining.us : $100
wintertime.us : $100
womensclothing.us : $200
workingout.us : $100
workpermits.us : $100
workshops.us : $200
worldwrestling.us : $100
worm.us : $200
yei.us : $100
yfh.us : $100
youngbabes.us : $100
youth.us : $600
ypg.us : $100
ypo.us : $150
yun.us : $100
zao.us : $100

Contact Stuart @t Dot.us

We just listed the domain name Career.org.in for sale at NamePros.com. This one-word, generic keyword, premium domain name could easily be used to build a job web site, career site, or job search engine for companies and job seekers in India.

Few would deny the value of this employment domain name, given the size and economy of India, but due to the uncertain economy and the seller's lack of knowledge for the .in TLD domain name market, this career domain name is being auctioned off with NO RESERVE and with a starting bid of only $1!

Early indications are that this domain name will go for much less than the market value, since NamePros is largely a forum for those active in the buying and selling of domain names. Most domains bought here go for wholesale prices, or much less due to competition and a limited number of qualified domain buyers.

For more information on this auction, please visit NamePros.com.