F5 Shape

F5 Shape is an advanced security platform designed to detect and block malicious bots targeting websites and APIs. It leverages machine learning, behavioral analysis, and real-time analytics to distinguish human users from automated traffic, protecting against account takeovers, data scraping, credential stuffing, and other bot-driven attacks.

Also known as: Shape Security, Shape Defense, Bot Management Solution

Comparisons

• F5 Shape vs. Traditional Web Application Firewall (WAF): While WAFs focus on common exploits like SQL injection, F5 Shape specializes in identifying and stopping automated bots through advanced analytics and behavioral signals.

• F5 Shape vs. CAPTCHA: CAPTCHAs introduce friction for legitimate users and only deter simpler bots. F5 Shape silently inspects traffic patterns, blocking sophisticated bots without degrading user experience.

Pros

• Comprehensive bot protection: Defends against a wide range of automated attacks with minimal user impact.

• Real-time visibility: Provides ongoing insight into traffic patterns and suspicious activity.

• Scalable solution: Suitable for enterprise-level applications with high traffic volumes.

Cons

• Complex setup: Advanced features may require significant configuration and expertise.

• Subscription costs: Enterprise-grade bot mitigation solutions can be expensive for smaller operations.

Example

An online retailer integrates F5 Shape to monitor its login and checkout endpoints. The system detects unusual login frequency from certain IP ranges, identifies the activity as a bot-driven credential-stuffing attempt, and automatically blocks those requests—protecting user accounts without hampering real customers’ shopping experiences.