The curated Top 100 Ad Fraud Watch Lists (the "AFWL(s)" or “Lists”) contain ‘high risk’ identifiers – including but not limited to, Data Center IP addresses, IPv4 and IPv6 addresses, Connected TV (“CTV”) device identifiers (“IDs”), malformed CTV bundle IDs, domain names, website URLs, and other identified digital markers that Pixalate has determined to be exhibiting patterns consistent with invalid traffic (IVT) and fraudulent activity, as defined by the Media Ratings Council (MRC). Pixalate is disclosing this information based on evidence suggesting that spammers and other malicious actors may be utilizing these identifiers to conduct harmful online activities within the digital advertising ecosystem. As such, these Lists are intended for use in fraud prevention, ad verification efforts, and related initiatives to protect organisations from digital advertising fraud, including proxy and video impression IVT, bot traffic, and other forms of automated abuse.
All data and research provided within AFWL is for informational and security purposes only, and should be construed as Pixalate’s ‘opinions’ (i.e., they are neither facts nor guarantees). The listed identifiers have been determined through Pixalate’s analyses as having a higher probability of generating IVT. However, inclusion within the Top 100 AFWL does not constitute a definitive claim of illegal activity associated with any persons or entities. Advertising companies and organisations should utilize their own discretion and verification methods prior to taking action on any shared information in the AFWL.
The content of the AFWL reflects Pixalate's opinions with respect to factors that Pixalate believes may be useful to the digital media industry. The AFWLs may contain IP addresses that are dynamically reassigned or misused. Thus, any inclusion within the AFWLs does not constitute direct involvement of any associated entities and affiliates in fraudulent activities, including IVT. Pixalate does not guarantee absolute accuracy or completeness of the information shared in the AFWL. Any data shared is grounded in Pixalate’s proprietary technology and analytics, which Pixalate is continuously evaluating and updating.
Disclaimer
The content of this page, and the Ad Fraud Watch Lists (the "AFWL(s)" or “Lists”), reflect Pixalate's opinions with respect to factors that Pixalate believes may be useful to the digital media industry. Pixalate is disclosing this information within the AFWL based on evidence suggesting that spammers and other malicious actors may be utilizing certain identifiers – including but not limited to Data Center IP addresses, IPv4 and IPv6 addresses, Connected TV (CTV) device identifiers (“IDs”), malformed CTV bundle IDs, domain names, website URLs, and other identified digital markers – to conduct harmful online activities within the digital advertising ecosystem. As such, the Lists are only intended for internal and operational use in fraud prevention, ad verification efforts, and related initiatives to protect organisations from digital advertising fraud, including proxy and video impression IVT, bot traffic, and other forms of automated abuse. Pixalate's opinions are just that, opinions, which means that they are neither facts nor guarantees. Pixalate is sharing this data not to impugn the standing or reputation of any entity, person or app, but, instead, to report findings and trends pertaining to programmatic advertising activity in the time period studied. Pixalate on behalf of itself and its suppliers and third-party licensors, expressly disclaims all representations, warranties, and conditions, whether express or implied, statutory or otherwise, including any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, satisfactory quality, and non-infringement of third party rights, to the greatest extent permitted by applicable laws.
The Ad Fraud Watch List–including all content set forth herein–constitutes Pixalate “Materials” under Pixalate’s Terms of Use, and is licensed subject to–and conditioned expressly upon–compliance with each of the applicable terms and conditions of such Pixalate Terms of Use.
Pixalate on behalf of itself and its suppliers and third-party licensors, expressly disclaims all representations, warranties, and conditions, whether express or implied, statutory or otherwise, including any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, satisfactory quality, and non-infringement of third party rights, to the greatest extent permitted by applicable laws. To learn more, please review the About The Ad Fraud Watch List section.
Terms of Use for The Ad Fraud Watch List (AFWL)
The AFWLs are provided on an as-is, where is, and as available basis, with any and all faults and without warranties of any kind, expressed or implied. Any persons or entities accessing the AFWLs acknowledge and agree that the use of such lists, and any associated Pixalate materials, is solely at their own risk. The AFWLs are provided for internal reference and operational use only, for ad fraud researchers and experts, security analysts, and trust and safety advisors to aid their organisations in mitigating and preventing fraudulent activities. Persons or entities may not republish, sell, or distribute this data without prior written consent received from Pixalate. The AFWLs shall not be utilised for unlawful discrimination, harassment, or any other purposes except for ad fraud prevention and cybersecurity.
License Notice – Restricted Use
Pixalate’s Ad Fraud Watch List (“AFWL(s)” or “Lists”) data, content, and any other materials are provided under a restricted license.
Permitted Use: By accessing or using the AFWL, you acknowledge and agree to using the AFWL exclusively for internal and operational use within your organisation, including activities conducted within research for fraud prevention, threat intelligence, and trust and safety teams.
Restrictions: You are prohibited from distributing, publishing, sublicensing, or otherwise making Pixalate’s AFWL available to any third parties. You may not incorporate the AFWLs into any publicly accessible or commercial dataset, tool(s), content, materials or platform(s), or use the AFWL for any purposes other than those stipulated herein and within Pixalate’s Terms of Use.
Subscription: Complete access to Pixalate’s AFWL is available only to licensed subscribers. Unauthorized access, use or redistribution is strictly prohibited and may result in AFWL access termination and/or legal action.
Contact Us: If you believe that any information shared within the AFWLs is misclassified or no longer associated with fraudulent activity, you may submit a request with evidence and sufficient information to help@pixalate.com with additional information to provide a basis in identifying and reclassifying/removing the specific entry. Pixalate does not warrant the accuracy and completeness of the content shared within the AFWL and reserves the right to review, update, remove, or retain any information at its sole discretion, with or without notice.
Disclaimer: The content of this page reflects Pixalate’s opinions with respect to the factors that Pixalate believes can be useful to the digital media industry. Any proprietary data shared is grounded in Pixalate’s proprietary technology and analytics, which Pixalate is continuously evaluating and updating. Any references to outside sources should not be construed as endorsements. Pixalate’s opinions are just that - opinion, not facts or guarantees.
Per the MRC, “'Fraud' is not intended to represent fraud as defined in various laws, statutes and ordinances or as conventionally used in U.S. Court or other legal proceedings, but rather a custom definition strictly for advertising measurement purposes. Also per the MRC, “‘Invalid Traffic’ is defined generally as traffic that does not meet certain ad serving quality or completeness criteria, or otherwise does not represent legitimate ad traffic that should be included in measurement counts. Among the reasons why ad traffic may be deemed invalid is it is a result of non-human traffic (spiders, bots, etc.), or activity designed to produce fraudulent traffic.”
