In the world of e-commerce fraud detection, precision and confidence in your fraud prevention setup are essential. Merchants need the ability to test and fine-tune their fraud rules, analyze detection outcomes and experiment with various configurations without disrupting their live operations. That is where the newly introduced FraudLabs Pro Sandbox comes in.
Concept of Sandbox
Before diving into the specifics of FraudLabs Pro Sandbox, it is helpful to understand the general concept of a “sandbox” in software and tech environments. A sandbox is a testing environment that isolates untested code changes and experiments from the production environment or live data. It allows developers or users to simulate real-world usage without risking any harm to the actual system or data.
In the context of FraudLabs Pro, a sandbox allows merchants to test fraud detection features, rules and integrations without impacting their real, operational FraudLabs Pro account. This safe and isolated testing ground is crucial for merchants who want to explore configurations or new features with confidence.
Introducing the FraudLabs Pro Sandbox
FraudLabs Pro has launched a new feature called the FraudLabs Pro Sandbox, designed specifically for merchants who want to test and experiment with their fraud detection settings. This sandbox environment mimics the features and functionalities of a merchant’s current paid plan, providing a safe and controlled space for testing.
Whether it is setting up new rules, experimenting with scoring thresholds or integrating with third-party platforms, the sandbox allows merchants to make changes freely without any fear of affecting live transaction data or customer experience.
Exclusive for Paid Plan Users
It is important to note that the FraudLabs Pro Sandbox is available only to users on a paid plan. Merchants on a paid plan can enable and manage their sandbox environment easily through the Merchant Licenses page. However, the sandbox is not supported for merchants that using integrated platforms like Shopify, BigCommerce and Ecwid by Lightspeed.
Key Features and Usage Guidelines
Once the sandbox account is launched, merchants will gain access to an isolated testing environment with the following limitations and capabilities:
Validity Period: Each sandbox session is valid for 7 days only. This temporary nature ensures the sandbox environment is used for short-term testing and experimentation.
Query Limit: Merchants can perform up to 500 queries during the 7-day period. We believe this is sufficient for most testing scenarios including rules verification, API integration trials and transaction simulations.
Automatic Data Purge: After the 7-day period expires, all sandbox data is automatically deleted. This includes test transactions, reports and any rules set up specifically for the sandbox. This auto-purge mechanism keeps the environment clean and ensures data privacy and integrity.
No Extension, But Renewable: The sandbox period cannot be extended, but merchants can launch a new sandbox environment once the current one expires. This means merchants can continue testing in new sessions if needed.
Getting Started with the Sandbox
To start using the sandbox feature, merchants need to:
- Go to the Merchant Licenses page in their FraudLabs Pro dashboard.
- Enable the Sandbox feature for their current paid plan.
- Once activated, visit the Merchant Dashboard, select the Sandbox profile, and begin testing.
It is essential that merchants use the Sandbox API Key provided specifically for this environment. Using this dedicated API key ensures that all testing transactions and activities are confined to the sandbox account and do not affect the live account or data.
Creating and Testing Rules
One of the most useful features of the sandbox is the ability to create and test new fraud detection rules. Merchants can set up and modify rules in the sandbox just as they would in a live environment. This is particularly beneficial for testing how certain thresholds or rules might impact transaction approvals and rejections.
Merchants can also view the outcomes of their tests through the Transactions page in the sandbox environment. In addition, detailed analytics and performance data are available through the Reports section, giving valuable insights into how changes affect detection outcomes.
Conclusion
The FraudLabs Pro Sandbox is a thoughtfully designed feature aimed at giving merchants the confidence to innovate and optimize their fraud prevention strategies. By providing a realistic but isolated testing environment, merchants can experiment with new settings, refine their rules and simulate real transaction flows without any risk to their live operations.