Can Websites Detect Selenium and Chromedriver, and How Can This Detection Be Bypassed?

Can Websites Detect When Selenium is Used with Chromedriver?

Selenium with Chromedriver is a widely used combination for automated web testing. However, some websites have implemented measures to detect when a browser is being controlled by Selenium, despite Selenium's attempts to emulate genuine browser behavior.

How Do Websites Detect Selenium?

Websites employ various techniques to detect the use of Selenium, including:

• JavaScript Variables: Websites check for predefined JavaScript variables created when running with Selenium, containing words like "selenium" or "webdriver."
• DOM Variables: Websites examine document variables like $cdc_ and $wdc_ that are specific to Selenium.
• HTTP Headers: Fake browsers requesting web pages from a website often have "no-cache" in the response header.
• Browser Fingerprinting: Websites collect information about the browser's characteristics, such as plugins, fonts, and screen resolution. If these characteristics match those of Selenium, it can raise suspicion.

Modifying Chromedriver to Bypass Detection

One method to bypass Selenium detection is to remove the suspicious JavaScript variables from the browser environment. By modifying the Chromedriver code (specifically the call_function.js file), you can change the name of $cdc_ to a different string, rendering it invisible to websites.

Other Techniques to Evade Detection

Additional techniques to avoid detection include:

• Using a headless browser with no visible user interface (e.g., PhantomJS)
• Disabling browser extensions and plugins
• Setting a random user agent
• Spoofing the browser fingerprint
• Using a proxy server

Conclusion

Although websites may employ techniques to detect Selenium, it is possible to bypass these measures by understanding how they work and implementing countermeasures. Modifying Chromedriver and utilizing additional evasion techniques can enhance the stealthiness of automated testing and help avoid detection by websites that attempt to thwart Selenium usage.

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