PandaLabs has detected a network of computers infected with the bot Clickbot.A, which is being used to defraud “pay per click” systems, registering clicks automatically and providing lucrative returns for the creators. According to the data collected so far, the scam is exploiting a global network comprising more than 34,000 zombie computers (those infected by the bot).
“Renting and selling of botnets has become a genuine business model for cyber-crooks. The scam we have now uncovered exploits infected systems to generate profits through ‘Pay per Click’ systems, instead of by installing spyware sending spam,” explains Luis Corrons, director of PandaLabs. “Given the proliferation of these networks, it is highly advisable for users to scan their systems with fully up-to-date anti-malware solutions, as bots like those involved in this case can be perfectly concealed on computers”.
““Pay Per Click” fraud botnet discovered [1]”
It's almost refreshing that using zombie machines to defraud AdWords [2] and AdSense [3] is more lucrative than sending spam (and from what I've been reading, it's no really within Google's best short term interest to stop this).
[2] http://adwords.google.com/