Device fingerprinting API is a method of identifying devices by combining certain attributes — like the operating system, browser type and version, screen resolution, installed fonts and plugins, and time zone — to create a unique identification for each device. Online advertisers use it to track visitors and build a profile of their interests, while website owners can use it to prevent fraud and detect suspicious activity.
Fingerprinting enables you to identify each device based on its unique hardware environment in a way that’s stable across sessions. There’s a one-to-one mapping from a session to a Device Fingerprint and a many-to-many mapping from Device Fingerprints to users. Our intelligent identification uses proprietary logic and a set of specialized policies to process the available data to arrive at device identification. This allows the software to function on user devices that don’t follow strict specifications and in both web and non-web channels.
Enhancing Security with Device Fingerprinting: Leveraging a Device Fingerprinting API
Fingerprints are an effective way to identify bad actors, catching red flags that would be missed with other methods alone. When combined with IP address and device information, it’s easier to spot high-level spoofing attempts that often indicate well-organized fraud rings.
Sift’s Device Fingerprinting solution is a powerful tool that can help you identify the device a visitor is using and determine whether it’s been blacklisted by other sites in our network. This will keep the device from accessing your site in the future, which is an essential component of fraud prevention.
