Outsmarting the System: Sybil Attacks in Airdrop Farming

Should you Sybil?

What is Sybil detection in airdrop farming?

A Sybil attack is a type of attack in which an attacker creates multiple identities in order to gain an unfair advantage. In the context of airdrop farming, Sybil attackers create multiple wallets in order to receive more airdrop tokens than they are entitled to.

Why should you care?

Sybil attacks can have a significant impact on the fairness and security of airdrop programs. By creating multiple wallets, Sybil attackers can unfairly enrich themselves at the expense of legitimate users. Additionally, Sybil attacks can undermine the trust that users have in airdrop programs, which can make it more difficult for projects to attract new users. While most people sell their tokens on release, Sybil attackers who end up becoming “whales” holding large numbers of the token, can then dump the price or control it, often to your detriment.

Examples of Sybil detection in airdrop farming

There are a number of things that projects can do to identify Sybil attacks in their airdrop programs. Some common methods include:

• IP address analysis: This involves checking to see if multiple wallets are associated with the same IP address. This is a common way to detect Sybil attacks because it is relatively easy for an attacker to create multiple wallets from the same computer.

• User behaviour analysis: This involves looking at how users interact with the airdrop program. For example, how old wallet accounts are, are those wallets connected to social accounts, etc.

• Machine learning algorithms: This involves using machine learning algorithms to identify patterns of behaviour that are associated with Sybil attackers.

There are a number of things that projects can do to avoid Sybil attacks in their airdrop programs. Some common methods include:

• Requiring KYC: This involves verifying the identity of users before they can participate in the airdrop program. This can help to prevent Sybil attackers from creating multiple accounts. Many projects avoid doing this as it goes against the ideals of decentralisation.

• Using a lottery system: This involves randomly selecting users to receive airdrop tokens. This can help to prevent Sybil attackers from gaining an unfair advantage by creating multiple wallets. However, legitimate users may unfairly miss out.

• Using a reputation system: This involves tracking user behaviour and assigning a reputation score to each user. This can help to identify Sybil attackers and prevent them from participating in the airdrop program.

How to avoid being identified as a Sybil

If you are an airdrop farmer, there are a number of things you can do to avoid being identified as a Sybil. Here are a few tips:

• Use a unique IP address for each wallet. This is the most important thing you can do to avoid being identified as a Sybil. If you use the same IP address for multiple wallets, it will be easy for the project to detect that you are a Sybil attacker. If you have a VPN installed you can change your location each time you need to use a different wallet.

• Use a unique device for each wallet. This is another way to make it more difficult for the project to detect that you are a Sybil attacker. If you use the same device for multiple wallets, it will be easier for the project to identify patterns of behaviour that are associated with Sybil attackers.

• Don't create multiple wallets too quickly. If you create multiple wallets in a short period of time, it will be more likely that the project will identify you as a Sybil attacker.

• Limit the number of your wallets. There are professional farms out there with hundreds of wallets. Some of theirs will make it and some won’t but the ones that make it will outweigh the cost of running the farm. However, we’re not playing at that level with big budgets. So, if you really want to farm more than one wallet, keep it simple sunshine! Aim for 3-5 at most.

• Never fund separate wallets from your main wallet. This one is the easiest mistake to make. It is best to fund multiple wallets from separate CEX accounts, using a mixer service or a CEX/DEX like Sideshift to fund them. While the blockchain makes tracing transactions easy, mixers and services like Sideshift can obscure that detail making it easier to keep your wallets anonymous.

• Be active in the project's community. One way to show that you are a legitimate user is to be active in the project's community. This could involve participating in their social activities across Zealy and Galxe, answering questions in the project's Discord, or contributing to the project's development.

• Use a farming bot service. Projects like Farmer Frens and Sybil Samurais run professional setups to automate the process. There is no guarantee of returns though and these projects and other similar services could easily rug-pull.

Should you be a Sybil?

By following these tips, you can improve your chances of not being identified as a Sybil ensuring that you’re eligible to participate in airdrop programs. However, it’s not an exact science and you take the risk of ineligibility if you do choose to Sybil. If you do choose to go down the multiple wallet approach it’s suggested that you create a checklist of steps, e.g. change IP via VPN, change browser/browser profile, access Sideshift, send funds, complete farming steps, close browser, change IP via VPN. If you are skilled enough you could write your own bot to do this or utilise an automation service to streamline these steps.

TLDR;

Sybil attacks are a serious threat to the fairness and security of airdrop programs. However, there are a number of things that projects can do to avoid Sybil attacks. By taking steps to detect and prevent Sybil attacks, projects can help to ensure that their airdrop programs are fair and secure.

As an airdrop farmer there are methods to try to avoid Sybil detection which require preparation, concentration and automation. However, gaming the system isn’t advised and you can’t guarantee you won’t be detected. Play smart, but play fair!

_{Please note that investing in crypto carries a high level of risk and is speculative in nature. The content of this article should not be considered as a recommendation from Droppables or the author to invest in crypto. Droppables does not provide any guarantees regarding the accuracy or timeliness of the information presented in this article. It is important to consult with a qualified professional who can assess your specific circumstances before making any financial decisions.}