Can Websites Detect Selenium WebDriver and How Can It Be Avoided?

Can Websites Detect Selenium with Chromedriver?

Selenium with Chromedriver has been used widely for automated web testing, but surprisingly, some websites can detect its presence despite the lack of obvious automation. This article investigates the techniques used by these websites to distinguish Selenium from legitimate browsers.

Identifying the Detection Method

The detection mechanism employed by these websites involves scrutinizing predefined JavaScript variables that appear only when Selenium is used. The bot detection scripts specifically examine window object variables containing the terms "selenium" or "webdriver" and document variables named $cdc_ and $wdc_.

Circumventing the Detection

To evade detection, the document variable $cdc_ must be eliminated. By modifying the chromedriver source code and renaming $cdc_ to a different name, the bot detection can be neutralized.

Bot Detection Techniques

Bot detection networks typically utilize various techniques to identify automated browsers, including:

• Window Object Variables: Examining window object variables for key terms indicative of Selenium or other automation tools.
• Document Variables: Analyzing document variables for suspicious names, such as $cdc_ and $wdc_.
• Document Keys: Searching for document keys with the pattern $a-zdc_ and a cache_ property.
• External Objects: Checking the window.external object for references to "Sequentum."
• HTML Attributes: Inspecting HTML attributes on the page for the presence of "selenium," "webdriver," or "driver."

Conclusion

Although websites can employ various techniques to detect Selenium, these detection methods can be rendered ineffective by implementing countermeasures. By understanding the underlying principles of bot detection and modifying the relevant source code, users can successfully disguise the use of Selenium for automated web testing.

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