Countermeasures employed by Webmasters vs AutoIt

[meatsack]

I am running a non-malicious automation script on a public website that I have a username and password for.  I am curious if anyone is aware of webmaster measures to defeat the use of AutoIt?  I am interested in Countermeasures employed by Webmasters vs AutoIt.  In what ways can a webmaster be aware or discover you are using AutoIt?  So far I  may be paranoid but I suspect they have done the following to me.

1.  Moved the layout of the page so that my script once accurately hit their yes button, button is moved so I can no longer automatically select yes.

2.  Temporary ban on my IP address 

3.  Slowing down or logging me out of my user account interface

4.  ?Deleting the text data I attempted to paste from #include<File.au3>

5.  ?Deleting or otherwise defeating my script when it steps through the following script:

        setStatus("Setting text message.")
        setTextMessage($sMessage)

        setStatus("Submitting message.")
        submitMessage()

        setStatus("Message has been sent.")

What are the common methods webmasters use to defeat AutoIt, or limit its use?  Any suggestions on counter-counter measures(sendkeys?)  Thank you in advance.

[Danp2]

I haven't experienced these types of issues when automating a website. Honestly, I don't understand what you mean by items 4 &5.

Does the website have an EULA that restricts automation?

[meatsack]

Thank you for your suggestions.  As there is more than 1 way to write a AutoIt Script, can sendkeys be more reliable or away around attempts to subvert the use of AutoIt on a public website?

A.  4&5 I suspect they might be using this tactic or may have the ability to do so.  However, its just pure speculation on my part as I don't have the knowledge to know if its even possible to do.

B.  The website does not have a EULA that restricts automation.

 

Any suggestions will be appreciated.

[Danp2]

What browser? And are you using one of the UDFs to interact with the browser or Send() and mouse clicks?

Can you share the web site URL?

[meatsack]

1.  Firefox browser.  IE became a nightmare diff IE different IE behaviours on different hardware, arrggh

2.  I use the FF.au3 placed inside the system folder "Include"  

        _FFOpenURL('MysteryWebsite')
        sleep(1000)
        _FFLoadWait()

        $profileLink = getProfileLink()

        setStatus("MysteryWebsitePage")
        MysteryWebsitePage()

        if $profileLink <> '' Then
            _FFOpenURL($profileLink)
            sleep(1000)
            _FFLoadWait()

        EndIf
        setStatus("Setting text message.")
        setTextMessage($sMessage)

        setStatus("Submitting message.")
        submitMessage()

        setStatus("Message has been sent.")

        For $i=5 to 1 step -1
            setStatus("Pause for " & $i & " second(s).")
            sleep(1000)
        Next
    WEnd

    MsgBox(64,"Success","Process Done!")

I use the following:

#include <IE.au3>
#include <FF.au3>

#include<File.au3>
#include <FTPEx.au3>
#include <ButtonConstants.au3>
#include <ComboConstants.au3>
#include <EditConstants.au3>
#include <GUIConstantsEx.au3>
#include <StaticConstants.au3>
#include <WindowsConstants.au3>

 

Thanks.

[nitekram]

What website? What is the URL?

[meatsack]

I would prefer to keep that confidential.

[Melba23]

meatsack,

Not a topic we are prepared to see discussed on the forum - and your refusal to identify the URL does nothing but make the decision even easier. Thread locked.

M23