White Bullet estimates piracy sites received over £800,000 in ad revenue from malvertising in Q3 of 2017. These estimates are based on conservative sampling data and known malware risk.The majority of this malvertising took the form of deceptive ads (76%), such as click generators. Adware (12%), potentially unwanted programmes (8%), and browser hijackers (4%) made up the rest of the malware ad-data.Piracy sites have a long history of exposing users to malvertising. As premium brands have ramped up their brand safety efforts to keep their advertising off IP infringing websites, piracy sites have increasingly turned to malvertising in order to generate revenue.However, despite their best efforts, the tools available to legitimate advertisers are not successfully eliminating their presence on IP infringing websites. White Bullet found many instances of premium branded advertising appearing next to malicious adverts on IP infringing websites in Q3.Not only does this damage the reputation of the major brands, it also gives the malvertising an air of legitimacy.In the eyes of the perpetrator, malvertising is one of the most efficient illicit money-making schemes. This coupled with the scale and instantaneous nature of programmatic advertising means it is unlikely that major ad exchanges can put an end to malvertising anytime soon. Contact White Bullet today to ensure you are IP compliant.

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