Referral spam by a domain named HDmoviecamera(.)net and its variations have been gaining popularity lately. The domain is classified as potentially unwanted because it may make the Google Analytics data of the websites it spams become devaluated. In case you have noticed sudden spikes in your GA traffic histogram, bear in mind that it may be Referral spam causing it. The main reason this spam is considered dangerous, however, is that it may redirect to suspicious third-party websites.
| Name | HDmoviecamera(.)net Referral Spam |
| Type | Referral Spam |
| Short Description | The spam may redirect to malicious third-party websites and devaluates Google Analytics data. |
| Symptoms | Users and website administrators may see spam links in comment sections or forum replies. |
| Distribution Method | Via spam bots (Ghost Referrers or Web Cralwers) |
| Detection Tool | Download Malware Removal Tool, to See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware |
| User Experience | Join our forum to discuss about Adnetechy(dot)com. |
HDmoviecamera(.)net Referral Spam Distribution
According to the latest research, referral spam such as HDmoviecamera(.)net is being distributed onto websites’ comment sections and forum replies via two primary types of spam bots:
Web Crawlers
Web Crawlers are also known as spiders or crawlers. They are named this way mainly because of the fact that the software crawls the web, looking for websites to spam, based on certain criteria. These criteria may be the website traffic, captcha, and others. The spam by web crawlers may be initiated immediately after the website has been found or massively based on spam campaigns. This type of spam is less preferred by spammers because it is less effective and it may back away as soon as it has been flagged as a spam or reported, however, do not underestimate it – in the hands of an experienced coder it may become very persistent.
Ghost Referrers
Ghost Referrer spam is a very effective spamming method because the spam bot uses the free HTTP connection passing through. It has its name because it aims to remain persistent and hidden from certain spam sites for longer periods of time, just like a ghost. Furthermore, the spam may be so sophisticated that besides spamming the website by not being even present in it, it may also affect specific statistics and areas of the site, corrupting the GA data. One of the methods to spot it is if you keep seeing extended HDmoviecamera(.)net web links after blocking it out. The spam also may utilize different web links to its domain like the following that has been reported also to be featured in spam messages:
- Website-stealer-warning(.)HDmoviecamera(.)net
The domain itself cannot be blocked by conventional methods, and we recommend checking the instructions after this article to assist you with getting rid of it from your website.
HDmoviecamera(.)net – More About It
Currently, the above mentioned domain URL redirect to a website in Russian.
Researchers believe this spam may be created with the purpose to boost hoax traffic to this or other websites. The ‘Website Warning’ before the actual domain suggest the possibility the web link itself to have previously redirected to other suspicious sites such as a fake BSOD alert website that may be part of a tech support scam. Even though it is not confirmed, referral spam links by HDmoviecamera(.)net are classified as potentially harmful for users. Even though it is not confirmed, some web links may redirect to suspicious third-party websites that may conceal two types of dangers from the user:
- Infecting the user`s PC with malware. (Trojans, Worms, Viruses, Rootkits)
- Scamming inexperienced users using Fake Tech Support and other forms of online scams.
Regarding the website being spammed, may not meet many negative consequences, however, there may be a small chance that it will lose bisitors, and may also be flagged for advertising malicious web links. This is why a swift action regarding such referral spam appearing is necessary.
Getting Rid of HDmoviecamera(.)net Referral Spam
There are several different methods to be rid of this referral spam and in case, it is a ghost referrer type a simple domain blocking will not be of much help. This is why we have suggested the following methods to cope with it:
More Methods To Stop Spam Bots and Spiders In Google Analytics
In order to remove this referral spam completely, make sure to follow the after-mentioned instructions:
Method 1: Filtering HDmoviecamera(.)net Referral Spam Spam in Google Analytics:
Step 1: Click on the ‘Admin’ tab on your GA web page.
Step 2: Choose which ‘View’ is to be filtered and then click the ‘Filters’ button.
Step 3: Click on ‘New Filter’.
Step 4: Write a name, such as ‘Spam Referrals’.
Step 5: On Filter Type choose Custom Filter –>Exclude Filter –> Field: Campaign Source–> Filter Pattern. Then on the Pattern, enter the domain name – HDmoviecamera(.)net Referral Spam Step 6: Select Views to Apply Filter.
Step 7: Save the filter, by clicking on the ‘Save’ button.
You are done! Congratulations!
We have also researched the following methods to remove this spam:
Method 2: Block HDmoviecamera(.)net Referral Spam from your server.
In case you have a server that is Apache HTTP Server, you may want to try the following commands to block HDmoviecamera(.)net Referral Spam domains in the .htaccess file:
RewriteEngine on
RewriteCond %{HTTP_REFERER} ^http://.*HDmoviecamera \.net/ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{HTTP_REFERER} ^http://.*Website-stealer-warning.HDmoviecamera \.net/ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{HTTP_REFERER} ^http://.*HDmoviecamera \-for\-website\.net/ [NC,OR]
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ – [F,L]
Also here is a web link to some spam URLs being blacklisted from other servers:
Ultimate Referrer Blacklist by Perishablepress.com
Disclaimer: This type of domain blocking in Apache servers has not yet been tested and it should be done by experienced professionals. Backup is always recommended.
Method 3 – Stop HDmoviecamera(.)net Referral Spam Via WordPress
There is a method outlined by security researchers online that uses WordPress plugins to block referrer spams from sites. There are many plugins that help deal with referrer spam, simply do a google search. We have currently seen one particular plugin reported to work, called WP-Ban, but bear in mind that you may find an equally good or better. WP-Ban has the ability to block users based on their IP address and other information such as the URL, for example.
Also, in case you feel like you may have clicked and been redirected to one of the domains mentioned in the spam message, and you believe your system may be compromised, you should scan your computer with a particular anti-malware tool. Downloading such software will also make sure your computer is safe against any future intrusions as well.
Spy Hunter scanner will only detect the threat. If you want the threat to be automatically removed, you need to purchase the full version of the anti-malware tool.Find Out More About SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool / How to Uninstall SpyHunter
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.
Follow Me:
