Emulators are programs that emulate the behavior and hardware of a computer. They are also used by criminals to spoof hardware and software. Detecting an emulator is a critical feature of a RASP (Real-Time Application Security Platform) system.
Can emulators be detected?
Detect emulators can be detected using a variety of methods. Some of them are relatively simple. Others require more advanced techniques.
The first method involves checking the device ID. An emulator’s device ID can tell you where a user is located. For instance, if a cloned mobile phone is stolen from a compromised bank account, it can be traced back to a particular city.
Another approach is to use device fingerprinting. This process analyzes more than 300 data points to provide a comprehensive and precise understanding of a software program. It can identify abnormal behavior patterns or irregular behavior.
Emulator detection is not a trivial task. Even though it can be done, it requires advanced device fingerprinting protocols. Using a tool like DashO, developers can implement a custom check to detect an emulator.
A mobile emulator is a type of virtual machine. It can be used to run an Android or iOS application. By altering the device’s platform ID, an emulator can spoof a real mobile phone.
In addition to mobile apps, emulators are also used by cybercriminals to hide tracks, defraud companies, and steal personal information. In December 2020, a single emulator was used to spoof more than eight thousand mobile devices.