EV Certificate Verification for Ad Network Fraud Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current authentication mechanisms in ad networks are ineffective against fraudulent operators, particularly in detecting unverified entities during communication, leading to issues like ad fraud and malvertizing, which are not adequately addressed by existing solutions such as Private Market Place (PMP) or SSL encryption with Domain Validation (DV) certificates.

Innovation Solution

A communication system that utilizes an Extended Validation (EV) certificate verification mechanism based on Open RTB 3.0, where devices determine whether the electronic certificate used for communication is an EV certificate, and adjust processes accordingly to ensure validity, including signature verification and auction processes to reduce the risk of fraudulent activities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If authentication mechanisms are implemented in ad networks, then the reliability of communication is improved, but fraudulent operators can still bypass authentication using DV certificates without organization validation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication reliabilityVSAvoidfraudulent activities

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the authentication parameter from DV certificate (domain-only validation) to EV certificate (extended validation including organization verification). This parameter change in certificate verification level enables the system to detect fraudulent operators by validating organizational existence, thereby addressing the limitation of DV certificates that allow unverified entities to participate in advertising transactions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional authentication mechanism (DV certificate verification) with an enhanced mechanism (EV certificate verification including organization validation). This substitution introduces a more rigorous verification process that checks organizational legitimacy, preventing fraudulent operators from using simple domain authentication to bypass security measures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If Private Market Place (PMP) is used to counter fraudulent operators, then market integrity is improved, but the market becomes restricted by whitelist limitations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemarket integrityVSAvoidmarket accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal authentication mechanism using EV certificates that can be applied across all ad network participants without requiring inclusion in a restricted whitelist. This multi-functional approach allows both fraud prevention and market accessibility, as any operator with valid EV certificate authentication can participate, eliminating the need for selective whitelist management while maintaining security

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces EV certificate verification as an intermediary authentication layer between operators and the ad network system. This intermediary mechanism objectively validates organizational legitimacy through certificate authorities, replacing the subjective whitelist approach and enabling automatic, scalable verification that maintains both integrity and accessibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If DV certificates are used for SSL communication, then communication security is improved, but unverified entities can still engage in fraudulent activities like malvertizing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication securityVSAvoidmalvertizing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the SSL certificate verification parameter from DV (Domain Validation) to EV (Extended Validation), which includes organization verification. This parameter change enables the system to detect and exclude unverified entities by validating their organizational legitimacy, thereby preventing harmful activities such as malvertizing that exploit the weaknesses of DV certificate authentication

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11783377B2Communication system, communication apparatus, communication method, program and advertisement communication system

Publication Date: 2023.10.10 NIPPON TELEGRAPH & TELEPHONE CORP

AI summary

A communication system includes a transmitting device configured to transmit information, and a receiving device configured to receive the information, the receiving device includes a determination unit configured to determine whether or not an electronic certificate of the transmitting device used for a communication with the transmitting device is an EV certificate, and a process that is performed is varied according to a determination result of the determination unit.