Cross-device fingerprinting is the future

Cross-device fingerprinting is the next big thing in fraud prevention.

Cross-device fingerprinting combines a device ID with location behavior data in order to more accurately recognize devices and identify the same user across multiple devices.

This approach is built on the premise that our digital behavior is unique in two key ways:

We always access digital services through a device and from a specific place. 

So what does this mean for fraud prevention?

Device fingerprinting has long been a core fraud prevention tactic, but today fraudsters have more ways than ever to make a known device look like a brand new one.

And without the ability to re-recognize a device, it’s hard to defend against ban evasion, fake account creation, and scams. That’s why we need a new fraud filter.

If it’s precise enough, location data can distinguish one unique device from another, filling in the gap left by device signals.

An identity that’s based on device + location is a universal form of digital identity.

It persists across devices and digital services. It helps you make sure that trusted users go down the fast track while potential bad actors are stopped before they can commit fraud. 

By leveraging a cross-device fingerprint, fraud prevention systems can flag devices associated with a fraudster–even those devices that aren’t being used (yet) for fraud.

This is why my team at Incognia has decided to dig deep into understanding how device and location signals can work together to get ahead of bad actors.

Cross-device fingerprinting is at the cutting-edge of modern fraud prevention.

As this technology evolves, I believe it will redefine the landscape of digital security and fraud prevention.

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