Mapping Out Potential Avenues for Fraud

In ATLAS: EARTH, virtual resources are periodically generated at randomized locations which nearby users can pick up. The platform also partners with brick-and-mortar stores to allow users to earn in-game currency for shopping with select credit cards. Last but not least, users need to physically travel to locations so they can purchase their virtual equivalents.

ATLAS: EARTH knew that GPS spoofing would create an uneven playing field between cheaters and legitimate users. Cheaters can easily snatch up limited resources and claim first dibs on prime real-estate near landmarks, which would only continue to appreciate in value as the platform attracts more users. Left unchecked, users would lose interest in participating in an unfair platform. They might even feel the need to use GPS spoofers themselves to be able to keep up with the competition, exacerbating the problem and becoming part of the issue. 

At the same time, the Atlas team was also wary of fraudsters creating fake accounts en masse using app cloners and emulators to abuse sign-up bonuses, referral incentives, and limited time promotions. This would mean rewards end up in the hands of fraudsters instead of genuine users and customers. In addition, fake accounts could be used to bypass account restrictions on the amount of virtual currency that could be earned daily through mini-games. 

Opening New Horizons for Growth

ATLAS: EARTH leveraged SHIELD’s Device Intelligence Unity plugin as the first line of defense against cheaters. They now enjoy protection with technological sophistication typically only seen in highly regulated fintech and banking apps. 

The SHIELD ID, the global standard for device identification, enabled the Atlas team to confidently identify the devices associated with cheating and fake accounts - even when  cheaters tried to change device parameters or perform factory resets. On top of this, the SHIELD Risk Indicators detect tools and techniques associated with cheating and fraud, such as GPS spoofers and app cloners. The SHIELD Sentinel also helped the Atlas team identify the exact moment users engaged in fraudulent activities, enabling swift countermeasures. 

Beau Button, President and CTO of Atlas Reality, said “We easily integrated SHIELD's plug-and-play Unity plugin in a matter of minutes. In addition, no personally identifiable information is required and everything runs in the background, so app performance and the user experience are not compromised."

For metaverse platforms to succeed, it is critical to build user confidence that the platform is worth investing time and resources into. Platforms that are perceived as rigged or unfair will quickly lose user trust and engagement. SHIELD’s technology will help ATLAS: EARTH build user trust, protecting its virtual world even as it continues to scale and grow. 

Sami Khan, Co-Founder and CEO of Atlas Reality, added, “SHIELD’s Device Intelligence, the first fraud prevention Unity plugin, is a gamechanger for the industry. By leveraging this cutting-edge technology, we can confidently ban cheaters without affecting legitimate users, building user trust in the ample opportunities that the metaverse offers.”