Think of it as the internet's version of a "postal code" for a large network.
This unique number is assigned to a large group of IP addresses all operated by a single entity, such as:
They allow these large, independent networks to announce their presence and efficiently exchange data with each other, forming the backbone of the internet.
While a fraudster can easily change their individual IP address, it is much harder for them to change their entire network provider (the ASN).
This provides several key advantages:
| Feature | Function | Strategic Advantage |
| Source Identification | Identifies visitors from data centers or hosting providers with poor security. | Allows you to spot traffic originating from a known "bad neighborhood" rather than a residential ISP. |
| Pattern Recognition | Detects multiple suspicious IP addresses resolving to the same single ASN. | Provides a strong signal of a large-scale bot attack originating from a coordinated network. |
| Proactive Protection | Blocks an entire malicious network instead of playing "whack-a-mole" with individual IPs. | Offers a broader and more effective defense that stops fraud before it starts. |
| Scalability | Moves defense from granular IP tracking to network-level identification. | Creates a robust and scalable defense against sophisticated click fraud operations. |