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Emulated Devices

A device emulator is a programme or hardware that allows a computer system to emulate the behaviour of another device. An emulator allows one computer system (referred to as “the host”) to mimic the functionality of another (referred to as “the guest”).

Emulated devices are a program or hardware that allows one computer system (the host) to replicate the functions of another system (the guest). The host system can run software and applications designed for the guest system through emulation, thus creating an emulated device.

To make it more simple, an emulated device is a virtual version of a real smartphone or tablet. Instead of holding a physical device in your hand, you’re using a program on your computer that pretends to work like that phone or tablet would. This allows developers to test their apps across different devices and operating systems without requiring physical devices.

Emulated devices are very important in app development and mobile marketing, but they are not limited to legitimate usage. This is how an emulated device operates: 

  • Host System: The computer running the emulator.
  • Guest System: The device or operating system being emulated.
  • Emulation: Mimicking the guest system’s functionality on the host.

An app developer working on an Android application can use an emulator to test how their app behaves on different Android versions, screen sizes, or hardware configurations, all without needing to own those devices physically.

What are Emulated Devices?


How Developers Use Emulated Devices

Emulated devices play a vital role in thorough testing, maintaining app quality, and delivering a seamless user experience across diverse platforms and devices. These provide several advantages to app marketers and developers.

  • Cross-Platform Testing: these help developers test their applications across multiple operating systems, such as iOS and Android, as well as on various device models like iPhones and Samsung phones. This ensures compatibility and optimal performance across different platforms.

  • Cost-Efficiency: Emulated devices eliminate the need to own real devices, thus saving the cost and resources for the purchase and maintenance of multiple physical devices. 

  • Streamlined Development: Using emulated devices, developers can quickly identify and resolve bugs, improve user journeys, and ensure that their app functions effectively on all platforms.

  • Accessibility: Emulated devices are often included with development tools such as Android Studio and Xcode, making them easily accessible for developers.


How Fraudsters Exploit Emulated Devices

While emulated devices are beneficial for developers, they can also be exploited by fraudsters for malicious purposes, posing a major threat to advertisers and marketers.

  • Fake Installs and Engagement: Fraudsters configure emulated devices to mimic genuine user behavior, such as app installs and in-app activities. This fake engagement misleads advertisers into believing their campaigns are effective, resulting in wasted marketing budgets.

  • Server-Side Fraud: These fraudulent activities often occur in data centers, where server-side software operates multiple emulated devices simultaneously, generating huge volumes of fake traffic, installs, and clicks.

  • Geolocation Falsification: Fraudsters manipulate geolocations and try to deceive advertisers about the source of fraudulent activities with the help of emulated devices and the use of VPNs or Tor networks.

  • Impact on Marketing Budgets: The end goal of these fraudsters is to siphon off ad spend from marketers, resulting in financial losses and compromised data integrity.


Detection and Prevention from Emulator Fraud

Mobile marketers and developers can safeguard their campaigns and apps by identifying emulator-driven fraud.

  • IP Address Monitoring: Large numbers of installs or clicks originating from the same IP address or data center can be an indicator of emulator-based fraud.

  • Analyze Behavior Patterns: Real users have distinctive ways of behaving. Identify signals of abnormal data patterns, like click-to-install time, repetitive actions, or identical user behavior.

  • Advanced Fraud Detection: Use mobile measurement partners that provide fraud detection tools to identify and block fraudulent activity, including emulated device fraud. Features like deep linking, fraud detection, and IP analysis ensure that the ad budget is spent on genuine user engagement. 

  • Implement Device Validation: Filter out emulated or simulated devices by using tools and methods that validate the authenticity of devices and reject any actions by the emulated ones.


Bottom Line

At the end of the day, emulators are too valuable for the developers and marketers to give up, and too tempting for the fraudsters to not misuse. They offer great value for developers by helping them with comprehensive testing and streamlining the development process of their apps, however, they also present challenges due to their potential for exploitation by fraudsters.

By understanding both the benefits and risks associated with emulated devices, and using the right anti-fraud tools, the stakeholders in the mobile ecosystem can make informed decisions and take appropriate steps to protect their apps and campaigns against fraudsters.

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