We’ve launched many contests to draw extra subscribers to our electronic mail program. Whereas we have now in depth growth sources, there’s no manner we shall be growing the competition ourselves. Why? Properly…
Fraud
I’ve cheated in a web-based contest. Years in the past, we had a regional social media contest to search out probably the most well-known man and lady on the town. After I considered the supply of the competition web page, I shortly discovered that I may add a vote simply by going to a selected URL embedded within the code. The competition developer thought he was being intelligent and blocked anybody from the identical IP handle.
So, I added an iframe on my website that pointed to my voting hyperlink. Everybody that opened my web page that day inadvertently voted for me. All through the day, I’d test the voting scores and take away the iframe every time I bought forward on the votes.
Earlier than you choose me, I got here clear earlier than successful the competition. I wrote the developer and let him know that I cheated. After which, I spoke on the occasion about how straightforward it was to cheat in on-line contests. Likelihood is that in case you have your builders whip up a web-based contest, you’ll open the doorways to dishonest. I’ve considered lots of of on-line contests and am amazed at what number of use these easy strategies that welcome cheaters.
How Individuals Cheat In On-line Voting Contests
On-line contests work via embedded website widgets, and social purposes have in depth options that forestall fraud. After all, in addition they allow you to optimize the contests, use them throughout digital mediums, and measure the response.
This infographic from Easypromos walks via three practices that result in fraud in on-line contests:
- The usage of vote automation software program.
- On-line vote shopping for.
- Utilizing stolen electronic mail accounts through phishing to forged votes.
How Easypromos Prevents Fraud In On-line Voting Contests
Easypromos employs a complete Fraud Management System with a number of safety controls to detect and deter fraud in on-line voting contests. Right here’s how they make sure the integrity and equity of their contests:
- Detection of on-line vote shopping for: Easypromos has measures in place to establish cases the place individuals try to purchase votes on-line to achieve an unfair benefit.
- Detection of pretend accounts: The system can detect and flag pretend accounts that aren’t linked to genuine identities. This prevents individuals from casting a number of invalid votes utilizing pretend profiles.
- Database of suspicious customers: Easypromos maintains an up-to-date database of accounts which have been beforehand concerned in vote shopping for or recognized as pretend. Customers with accounts on this database should undergo an additional verification course of to show the authenticity of their accounts earlier than they’ll vote.
- Management of IP addresses and vote automation software program: The system can detect when a person tries to forged a number of votes in a brief interval, which is commonly carried out utilizing automation software program. Alerts are despatched to the administrator in such circumstances.
- Detect patterns of fraudulent votes: The system retains a report of patterns generally related to fraudulent voting actions. This knowledge is referred to every time a vote is forged to establish suspicious habits.
- Use of captchas and additional verification system: To forestall the usage of robots or different automation methods, captchas and extra computerized checks are carried out if suspicious voting exercise is detected.
- Double opt-in (elective): Contest organizers can allow a double electronic mail opt-in course of, requiring customers to confirm their identification via an electronic mail hyperlink earlier than their vote is counted. This helps reduce the usage of stolen or pretend accounts and offers organizers with a database of genuine electronic mail addresses.
- Fraud alert registration: When an invalid vote is detected, an inside alert is recorded and linked to the participant’s entry. These alerts are categorized based mostly on intentionality or seriousness, and directors can analyze and obtain them for evaluate.
- Fraud Index Calculation: Easypromos calculates the Fraud Index, which signifies the likelihood {that a} person’s votes have been obtained via fraudulent means. Contest organizers can use this index as an element to validate a participant’s entry.
- Validity Report for individuals: A report that features the Fraud Index is generated for every participant, based mostly on the alerts registered to their entry. Contest directors can share this report with the person to justify the validity of their entry.
By implementing these safety controls and measures, Easypromos goals to make sure truthful and clear voting contests for his or her group, detect and forestall dangerous practices, and reduce disputes between individuals.