Preventing ad takeover fraud saves precious time and money.
Many attempts to access your ad campaigns happen through weak logins,
compromised accounts, or even unmonitored partner networks. But by implementing
simple preventive steps, you can create a solid wall against these early
attempts. This article outlines affordable yet practical steps you can take to
keep your advertisements and information safe, beginning with strong security
measures all the way to regular monitoring and inclusive teamwork. Following
these steps is the best way to train yourself to act fast, alert security
problems early enough, and maintain clean and reliable ad reporting.
Step 1: Secure Accounts and Access
You can stop ad fraud by first tightening
up account security in your ad platforms. It is best to have strong and
distinctive passwords on different accounts as difficult to guess as possible.
Enable 2-factor authentication, whereby the next step involving a code sent to
the mobile should be used to allow access. Reduce the access privileges of your
team members so that they only see what they need to see. Regularly look into
connected applications and switch off the access of those no longer in use. In
addition to this, create a list of devices that are allowed to be used for
accessing these sensitive accounts. All these small actions greatly contribute
to making a strong defense against any unauthorized access attempts.
Step 2: Watch Traffic, Placements, and Creatives
Keep a close eye on your campaign traffic, placements, and
creatives. Unusual spikes in clicks or strange patterns in placement can be the
first sign of fraud being attempted. Continue to keep a daily or weekly check
on the metrics of your campaign against the established baseline so that you
can spot anomalies quickly. It is also very important to look out for fake
domains, strange referral sources, or ads that look as if they are repeated
many times. These patterns usually indicate either fraud or suspicious activity
related to the ad. Reporting and pausing any placements that don't clearly fit
with your intended campaign goals is the best way to deal with these kinds of problems.
You will be more equipped to combat problems if you identify them early.
Step 3: Vet Partners and Supply Chain
Before you work with any partners, make sure that you verify
them thoroughly. Find out who you are working with, and make them be transparent
about where your ads are run and what sources are being used in bidding. Insist
on sample reports and traffic proofs in order to check the level and quality of
the service they provide. Make use of simple third-party tools and
questionnaires to assess the vendors you would like to work with, as they can
warn you about the risk of fraud. In your contracts, always include terms
concerning protection against fraud and clear refund policie,s just in case
something goes wrong. This way, you can build a solid partnership that is also
safe and relies on each partner being accountable at every level of the supply
chain.
Step 4: Team Rules and Response Plan
Set clear rules and a response plan among your team to
safeguard against takeover fraud. Alert your staff members to unusual signs,
like sudden changes in performance or unusual account activity, along with what
to do in these situations. Develop a rapid response plan
with steps such as closing accounts, notifying key partners, and knowledge of
the level of damage at the earliest possible time. A readily available contact
list that includes information on platforms, collaborators, and legal support
must be part of the plan. Schedule frequent drills so as to fine-tune the plan
and make any necessary adjustments. Such clear communication and a plan will
help your team to act immediately to any nasty business and to limit potential
damage substantially.
Conclusion
Neglecting ad takeover fraud can lead to considerable ad
investment losses, but small and consistent actions can make a huge difference.
Always respond fast to anything that seems unusual, such as sudden traffic
spikes. Ensure to limit your partners and control your accounts so that it
doesn't get out of hand. Start with one of these small, simple steps today, and
you will realize that these working procedures can be sustained over time. Your
attention and quick response, even simple measures, can help prevent
significant losses in advertising and ensure that your campaigns are
well-protected.
