gpc-optmeowt VS AdNauseam

Consider installing the OptMeowt extension by the Privacy Tech Lab of Wesleyan University: https://www.privacytechlab.org/

It does not actually clicks on the ads. It sends the request to ad server but does not execute any response from the server, so it's safe to run

https://github.com/dhowe/AdNauseam/wiki/FAQ#how-does-adnause...

>https://github.com/dhowe/AdNauseam/wiki/FAQ#how-does-adnause...

>AdNauseam 'clicks' Ads by issuing an HTTP request to the URL to which they lead. In current versions the is done via an XMLHttpRequest (or AJAX request) issued in a background process. This lightweight request signals a 'click' on the server responsible for the Ad, but does so without opening any additional windows or pages on your computer. Further it allows AdNauseam to safely receive and discard the resulting response data, rather than executing it in the browser, thus preventing a range of potential security problems (ransomware, rogue Javascript or Flash code, XSS-attacks, etc.) caused by malfunctioning or malicious Ads. Although it is completely safe, AdNauseam's clicking behaviour can be de-activated in the settings panel.

Isn't this easily detectable? XHRs are easily detectable through various headers, so it's trivial to filter out the fake traffic from this extension. Failing that, thanks to ad fraud there's a whole industry of bot/ad fraud detection firms using browser fingerprinting and behavioral analysis to detect fake ad clicks. I have no doubt that an extension that's "clicking" on every ad using XHR is going to get detected and filtered.

I'd think it's infeasible for advertisers to regularly audit third-party apps on reddit's behalf to make sure the ads they're paying to display aren't being requested but cosmetically hidden or even shadow-clicked. I'm sincerely curious if there are any example platforms that do this with their API; I can't find anything after a search.

What is your opinion on AdNauseam?

Please use this page to report issues or ask questions about Ad Nauseam. This specific issue has already been addressed:

Other than that, Libredirect and AdNauseam to be pretty neat. Allows me to avoid using certain sites directly and when I do, I mess with their ads engagement enough. A bit petty, but I'll take what I can get.