Detecting unauthorized online applications using machine learning

A computer-implemented method for authorizing online applications based upon search history, the computer-implemented method comprising:

• receiving a plurality of search history records, wherein each record of the plurality of search history records includes:
• search-related data associated with an online search tool;
• and
• a fraud determination label associated with the search-related data;
• determining, based on the plurality of search history records, an association between a first set of search-related data and a first fraud determination label;
• generating an authorization rule including the first set of search-related data and the first fraud determination label;
• receiving, from an applicant computing device, online application input data associated with an online application, wherein the online application input data includes an applicant identifier;
• retrieving search history data associated with at least one of the applicant identifier or the applicant computing device;
• determining, by executing the authorization rule and based on the online application input data and the search history data, an indication of whether the online application is unauthorized;
• and
• allowing or preventing processing of the online application based on the indication of whether the online application is unauthorized.

A computer system for authorizing online applications based upon search history data, the computer system comprising:

• a search history database configured to store data associated with a plurality of Internet searches;
• one or more processors;
• and
• a non-transitory memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:
• receive a plurality of search history records, wherein each record of the plurality of search history records includes:
• search-related data associated with an online search tool;
• and
• a fraud determination label associated with the search-related data;
• determine, based on the plurality of search history records, an association between a first set of search-related data and a first fraud determination label;
• generate an authorization rule including the first set of search-related data and the first fraud determination label;
• receive, from an applicant computing device, online application input data associated with an online application, wherein the online application input data includes an applicant identifier;
• retrieve search history data associated with at least one of the applicant identifier or the applicant computing device;
• determine, by executing the authorization rule and based on the online application input data and the search history data, an indication of whether the online application is unauthorized;
• and
• allow or prevent processing of the online application based on the indication of whether the online application is unauthorized.