Cookies are the text files in the users' browsers. Websites can read the information and write data to these text files. In today's digitalized epoch, websites monitor an individual's browsing history with cookies. They save and store login credentials and other data. Merchants who run affiliate marketing programs use cookies to attribute prospects.
While affiliate marketing strategies are significant in driving leads and sales, they can have catastrophic impacts too. And cookie stuffing is a form of affiliate form. Welcome to this post that narrates the different types of cookie-dropping frauds.
Cookie Dropping or Cookie Stuffing – What Does It Mean?
So, what is cookie stuffing? Cookie dropping or cookie stuffing is a sort of affiliate fraud where a website drops more than one third-party cookie. Now, what are third-party cookies? Unlike first-party cookies, a third-party website cookie gets set by any third-party server through code loaded on a publisher's website.
These cookies are accessible on any type of website that loads with the third-party server code. All browsers support these cookies. Third-party cookies can give rise to affiliate fraud, aka cookie stuffing fraud.
A company website can generate first-party cookies. They identify a customer's logging in and provide customized options based on activities. They also save cart details and login data, etc. On the contrary, third-party vendors generate third-party cookies. These cookies have the following parameters:
- Value
- Name
- Expiration Date
- Domain
- Path And More
How Does Cookie Dropping Work?
Cookie dropping is the one-click approach used for exploiting any website with malicious intentions. Malicious actors submit unauthorized commands to perform this fraud. When a user goes to a website, it drops cookies. While there are multiple types of cookies, here's presenting the most common types.
Below is a list of ways how affiliate cookie stuffing works:
1. Adware
The first process is using adware. This software system displays ads through pop-ups when installed on the user system. The most common reason why marketers use them is due to promotions.
But nefarious actors can also use them to change the customer's settings. Or they simply want to add spyware or bombard devices using ads. Nefarious affiliates implement the use of adware to inject users' systems with cookies & earn commissions.
2. iFrame
iFrames are the bits of code on websites. They allow HTML codes and documents to load onto a page. In short, iframing, aka inline framing, is embedding or inserting an HTML page within the existing HTML page. A majority of advertisers have a clear product web page.
The affiliates embed on iFrame on the target page with the affiliate URL. After a purchaser makes a purchase, they will leave the affiliate link. So, fraudsters get a commission.
3. Website Pop-Ups
Pop-up ads are websites' most common tool to grab visitors' attention. Marketers use these ads to get users to sign up for something or redirect them to a page. But fraudsters use them for a different purpose.
They induce adware in the customer's device and bombard their system with pop-up ads. Soon after the customer taps on these ads, fraudsters inject cookies into a user's browser. They monetize sales that happen from that browser.
4. Zero Pixel Images
It occurs when illegitimate affiliates insert a zero-pixel image on an advertiser's website. It's an invisible image appearing as an empty space to users. It contains the affiliate link. Users who tap on the image will see the page reloading.
Then, it redirects the user to the product page with an affiliate cookie inserted inside the browser. Affiliates earn a commission for sales from the user's browser.
5. Style Sheets
CSS or cascading style sheet describes how documents get presented on the screens or in print. CSS is valuable in coding pages visible on the website.
Making these sheets look like an image or loading them on each advertiser page is possible. While the occurrence of this type of cookie-stuffing fraud is quite common, detecting it is challenging.
6. JavaScript
If nefarious actors intend to redirect visitors to a new product page, they inset affiliate cookies using JavaScript. Fraudsters take advantage of a redirection without visitors knowing about the incident.
What Are The Consequences of Cookies Dropping?
Cookie stuffing results in the following consequences:
- Brands lose their reputation and revenue
- Affects the earning capacity of legitimate affiliates as cookies track their track, so advertisers pay Illegitimate affiliates
- Collecting customers' private data is illegal; besides, cookie stuffing also violates the rules and saves data without approval
Safeguard Your Brand from Nefarious Affiliates
Cookie dropping or stuffing is an illegal technique that creates a wrongful attribution. It steals the credit for someone else's attribution. Want to protect your brand from these frauds? Seek consultation from VPT. A pioneer in affiliate management services and brand protection, Virus Positive Technologies implement effective methodologies to identify non-compliant behaviors. Book an appointment with the team today.
Pineapple stuffing, a recipe and a holiday tradition that perhaps you might have gotten from your Mum?
Or maybe it came to your table after you have raved about the pineapple stuffing after having it a friend’s house, and his mom gave me you the recipe or perhaps you might just know it from here.
Be it Thanksgiving or Easter, it goes perfectly with ham at Easter and has the potential to replace the cranberry stuffing at Thanksgiving.
It’s a much tastier alternative to the pineapple rings that never quite stayed put and ended up cooking in the bottom of the roasting pan.
Pineapple stuffing is quite easy to make if compared to prepping whole cranberries for stuffing and you can also serve it as a side, however, make sure to try a bite of ham or turkey on your fork along with the stuffing.
It is incredibly moist and delicious!
