Metawatch
Run by IPTC (International Press Telecommunications Council)
How to detect Metawatch
Metawatch signs its requests, so you detect it by verifying the cryptographic signature on each request. A valid signature proves the request came from IPTC (International Press Telecommunications Council); a copied user agent without the signature does not.
- Detection method
- SignedThe agent signs its requests, so its identity is verified cryptographically.
- Signals that identify it
- CryptographicA signed request verified cryptographically
- BehavioralHow the session clicks, types, moves and navigates, checked after the signature is verified
Every signal Verisoul checks for Metawatch
Metawatch signs its requests, so we verify who it is cryptographically, then check the rest of the session.
- Used
Cryptographic
A signed request verified cryptographically
- Not used
Network
Not needed to identify it
- Not used
Device
Not needed to identify it
- Used
Behavioral
How the session clicks, types, moves and navigates, checked after the signature is verified
How often you'll see it
Very uncommon
Rare, brand new, or not seen on Verisoul traffic yet
Questions about Metawatch
How do you detect Metawatch?
Metawatch signs its requests, so you detect it by verifying the cryptographic signature on each request. A valid signature proves the request came from IPTC (International Press Telecommunications Council); a copied user agent without the signature does not.
What is Metawatch?
Metawatch is an automated service from IPTC (International Press Telecommunications Council) that signs its requests.
Does Metawatch identify itself?
Yes. Metawatch signs its requests cryptographically, which is the strongest way an agent can identify itself.
Can a bot pretend to be Metawatch?
Not convincingly. A bot can copy Metawatch's user agent, but without IPTC (International Press Telecommunications Council) signing keys its requests fail verification and it is not labeled Metawatch.
How common is Metawatch?
Very uncommon. Rare, brand new, or not seen on Verisoul traffic yet.
What does the Verisoul API return for Metawatch?
Every session Verisoul identifies as Metawatch carries an agent block with id "metawatch", name, provider, type "other", detection_method "signed" and the detection_signals used (cryptographic, behavioral). Build rules on the id, type and detection method.