Abstract: A system includes a configuration server, a client device, and a VPN system. The configuration server is configured to send a configuration profile to a client device. The configuration profile is configured to cause the client device to connect to a VPN system without user input and send network traffic through the VPN system. The client device is configured to receive the configuration profile and apply the received configuration profile such that the client device is configured to connect to the VPN system without user input and send network traffic through the VPN system. The VPN system is configured to receive the network traffic sent by the client device through the VPN system and record information about the network traffic sent by the client device through the VPN system.

Abstract: Correlating a network interaction is disclosed. A network interaction is detected at an advertising network. A network interaction is detected at an advertiser. The network interaction at the advertising network is correlated with the network interaction at the advertiser. The network interaction correlation is performed by a third party that is not affiliated with the advertising network or the advertiser.

Abstract: Techniques for measuring the visibility of video content presented within video players are presented. Initialization code is incorporated within a video player. The initialization code examines metadata associated with video content to determine whether to measure visibility information associated with the video content. If a measurement flag is encountered, the initialization code initializes measurement code to measure visibility information associated with the video content. The measurement code executes to measure visibility information associated with the video content and transmits the visibility information to a measurement server.

Abstract: Systems and methods for estimating media audience are disclosed. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a media signal to be transmitted via a media distribution system, the media signal including multiple pieces of media content that each contain video and audio signals. One of the multiple pieces of media content within the received media signal are identified. It is determined that the identified piece of media content exceeds a threshold length, and, in response to determining that the identified piece of media content exceeds a threshold length, the audio signal of the identified piece of media content is encoded with a sequence of discrete codes. Each discrete code has a period that includes a set of sequential frequency components imperceptible to humans. The threshold length is greater than the period of a discrete code multiplied by the number of discrete codes in the sequence.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to monitoring internet usage on home networks of panelist users. One examples method includes after determining that a user has accepted an offer to modify a home network of the user to monitor network traffic generated by devices connected to the home network, identifying a gateway device on the home network configured to receive network traffic from devices connected to the home network and communicate with an external network on behalf of the devices; determining that the gateway device is operable to be modified over the home network to include a monitoring application; and in response to determining that the gateway device is operable to be modified, modifying the gateway device over the home network to include the monitoring application.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided herein for the analysis of information about online actions of a plurality of users. The analysis methods and systems allow for the modification of online and offline business operations and marketing communications based on online consumer behavior. The methods and systems may obtain an input data set comprising information about online actions of a plurality of users, process the input data set to obtain transformed clickstream data, analyze the transformed clickstream data to identify an order in which each user of the plurality of users views a plurality of product offerings, determine an average order position that a specific product offering of the plurality of product offerings is viewed, and modify an offline or online marketing communication associated with the specific product offering based on the average order position of the specific product offering.

Abstract: Tuning data representing a television viewing event associated with a particular household is accessed. Household member data representing information on individual members of the particular household is accessed. Viewing profile data representing information on individual members of other households regarding viewership by the individual members of the other households is accessed. Fractional viewership values for the individual members of the particular household are determined based on the tuning data, the household member data, and the viewing profile data. Household viewership data is determined based on the fractional viewership values.

Abstract: A first data set associated with a first group of users is accessed. The first data set includes demographic data, online behavior data, and additional user data associated with the users in the first group. A second data set associated with a second group of users is accessed. The second data set includes demographic data and online behavior data but not additional user data associated with the users in the second group. One or more sets of matched users are determined based on the demographic data and online behavior data included in the first data set and the demographic data and online behavior data included in the second data set. Each set includes a user from the first group matched with a user from the second group. Based on the one or more sets of matched users, an augmented second data set that includes additional user data associated with the users in the second group is generated. One or more reports are generated based on the augmented second data set.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention relates to tracking a computer user's web browsing behavior by collecting web browser click events and determining which of the web browser click events are pertinent.

Abstract: A process of detecting an implemented blacklist may include downloading data from at least one blacklist. The process may also include compiling a list of image elements from the at least one blacklist based on a feature of the image elements, and selecting an image element from the list of image elements. The process may further include receiving a report indicative of the selected image successfully loading while a webpage is loaded on a web browser of a client device, and analyzing the report based on an expected response of the web browser to detect the implemented blacklist of the at least on blacklist.

Abstract: Usage data representing resource accesses on a network by client devices in a plurality of households is accessed. Based on the accessed usage data, a set of the households that the usage data indicates are associated with a specified number and type of client devices is determined. A subset of the usage data is extracted, where the subset corresponds to resource accesses by client devices associated with the subset of households. Usage information is determined for the specified number and type of client devices based on the extracted subset of the usage data.

Abstract: A computerized process of detecting content blocking software may include forwarding, to a client device, instructions to enable scanning of a web browser and a file with features resembling advertisement content, and receiving a report from the forwarded instructions indicative of a response of a webpage generated by a web browser of the client device in response to the loaded file. The computerized process may also include analyzing the report based on an expected response of the web browser, and indicating the presence of the content blocking software based on the analysis.

Abstract: Rating a network interaction is disclosed. A rating system includes an interface for receiving, a rating determiner and an interface for providing. The interface for receiving receives one or more data regarding a new incoming network interaction originated from a third party device over a network. The rating determiner determines a rating of the network interaction based at least in part on the one or more data regarding the network interaction. The interface for providing provides the rating of the network interaction.

Abstract: A computer system may include at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed, cause the at least one processor to perform a process. The process may include receiving audio data from a user device, and accessing content data including at least one audio signature associated with video content. The process may also include correlating the audio data with the at least one audio signature and identifying recognized video content based on the correlation of the audio data with the at least one audio. The process may also include receiving tuning data including content being presented on a display component. The process may further include correlating the recognized video content with the tuning data, determining viewed video content based on the correlation of the recognized video content with the tuning data, and storing the viewed video content in a user array.

Abstract: A method for analyzing network interaction data is disclosed. Initially, network interaction data is received from a network over time. A predetermined model comprising predetermined values associated with network interaction parameters is also received. The received network interaction data is processed to determine the network interaction parameters and information regarding the network interaction data. A score for the network interaction data is calculated based on the predetermined model and the determined network interaction parameters. The score is compared to a threshold. The information regarding the network interaction data is then forwarded based on the comparison of the score to the threshold.

Abstract: A first set of usage data for a first set of resources on a network and a second set of usage data for a second set of resources on a network are accessed. The first set of resources were accessed by a first group of client systems and the first set of usage data is determined based on information received from the first group of client systems sent as a result of beacon instructions included with the first set of resources. The second set of usage data is determined based on information received from monitoring applications installed on a second group of client systems that accessed the second set of resources. Users of the second group of client systems are a sample of a larger group of users that use resources on the network. Initial usage measurement data for a third set of resources on the network is determined based on the first set of usage data. The third set includes one or more common resources that are included in the first set of resources and the second set of resources.

Abstract: A copy of a request for content from a content provider is initially received from a client device. The copy of the request indicates a unique identifier of the client device, an originating network address of the client device, and a destination network address of the content provider. The client device is associated with a network provider based on the originating network address. It is determined that the network provider belongs to a predetermined class. Activation of a private network switch is enabled on the client device to provide an encrypted connection between the client device and a private network server before the request is forwarded to the content provider based on the determination that the network provider belongs to the predetermined class.

Abstract: Evaluating web activity is disclosed. Initially, activity data for one or more resources on a network is received for a predetermined time period. The resources have been accessed by a plurality of client systems, and the activity data includes a unique identifier and a category of an accessing client system for each access to the one or more resources. Next, at least one persistent identifier of a client system within the activity data is identified. A subset of the activity data associated with the at least one persistent identifier is also identified. Based on the subset of the activity data, a total number of accesses to the one or more resources from the client system having the persistent identifier is determined. Finally, an estimated number of accesses to the one or more resources from the client system is determined if the persistent identifier persisted on the client system during the entire predetermined time period.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for audience measurement using a mobile device accessory are disclosed. In one aspect, a mobile device accessory includes a power source configured to provide power to the mobile device. The mobile device accessory further includes an audio capturing device configured to capture an ambient sound, and a microprocessor coupled to the audio capturing device and configured to identify distinctive features of the ambient sound and generate a digital representation of the ambient sound. The mobile device accessory further includes a memory coupled to the microprocessor and configured to store at least the digital representation, and a transmitter coupled to the microprocessor and configured to transmit at least the digital representation.

Abstract: In general, the systems, components, methods, and techniques are provided for gathering, recording, and developing accurate user demographics attributed to users viewing content across different media platforms while protecting user privacy and providing compliance with legal or policy mandated privacy provisions.