LinuxCommandLibrary

bing-rewards

Automate Bing searches for rewards

TLDR

Complete both desktop and mobile searches

$ bing-rewards
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Run 10 searches with mobile user-agent
$ bing-rewards [[-m|--mobile]] [[-c|--count]] 10
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Complete mobile and desktop searches using specified Chrome profile "Profile 1"
$ bing-rewards --profile "Profile 1"
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Run searches sequentially across multiple Chrome profiles
$ bing-rewards --profile "Default" "Profile 1" "Profile 2"
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Display help
$ bing-rewards [[-h|--help]]
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SYNOPSIS

bing-rewards [OPTIONS]

PARAMETERS

-h, --help
    Displays a help message and exits.

-u USERNAME, --username=USERNAME
    Specifies the Microsoft account username (email) for login.

-p PASSWORD, --password=PASSWORD
    Specifies the Microsoft account password for login. (Use with caution or consider cookie-based authentication for security).

-c FILE, --config=FILE
    Specifies a configuration file (e.g., JSON or INI) containing login credentials and other settings.

-s COUNT, --searches=COUNT
    Sets the desired number of desktop searches to perform.

-m COUNT, --mobile-searches=COUNT
    Sets the desired number of mobile searches to perform.

-d SECONDS, --delay=SECONDS
    Adds a delay (in seconds) between searches or actions to mimic human behavior.

--browser=BROWSER
    Specifies the browser or WebDriver to use (e.g., chrome, firefox, phantomjs, headless). Defaults to a headless browser if available.

-v, --verbose
    Enables verbose output, providing more detailed logs of the script's activities.

DESCRIPTION

The command bing-rewards is not a standard, pre-installed Linux utility. Instead, it refers to various user-developed scripts, often written in Python, designed to automate the process of earning points through the Microsoft Bing Rewards program. These scripts typically simulate human interaction, performing web searches (both desktop and mobile), completing daily activities, and sometimes even solving quizzes to accrue points automatically.

Users employ these scripts to passively accumulate points, which can then be redeemed for gift cards, sweepstakes entries, or other rewards provided by Microsoft. Because these are community-driven tools, their functionality, stability, and command-line options can vary significantly depending on the specific script's implementation and the continuous changes in the Bing Rewards website.

CAVEATS

Unofficial Tool: bing-rewards scripts are not officially supported by Microsoft and operate outside their terms of service.

Account Suspension Risk: Using automation can lead to the suspension or termination of your Bing Rewards and Microsoft accounts if detected.

Website Changes: Bing Rewards website structure and API can change without notice, potentially breaking scripts and requiring updates.

Security Concerns: Storing credentials directly in scripts or command-line arguments can pose security risks. Using environment variables or secure configuration files is recommended.

Dependencies: These scripts often require specific programming language runtimes (e.g., Python), web browser drivers (e.g., ChromeDriver), and other libraries to function correctly.

INSTALLATION AND SETUP

To use a bing-rewards script, you typically need to:
1. Install the required programming language runtime (e.g., Python 3).
2. Install necessary libraries and dependencies (e.g., selenium, requests) using a package manager (e.g., pip for Python).
3. Download the specific bing-rewards script from a repository (e.g., GitHub).
4. Configure the script with your login credentials and other preferences, often in a separate configuration file or environment variables.
5. Install a compatible web browser driver (e.g., ChromeDriver for Chrome, geckodriver for Firefox) if the script uses a full browser or headless browser.

ETHICAL AND USAGE CONSIDERATIONS

While using automation scripts for Bing Rewards can save time, it's crucial to be aware of the ethical implications and potential consequences. Microsoft's terms of service generally prohibit automated activity. Continuous or aggressive automation might trigger security flags, leading to account review or permanent suspension. It is advisable to use such tools responsibly, if at all, and be prepared for potential adverse actions from Microsoft. Always prioritize the security of your Microsoft account.

HISTORY

The concept of automating online rewards programs emerged shortly after these programs gained popularity, as users sought more efficient ways to accumulate points. Early automation attempts were often simple scripts simulating clicks or form submissions. With the rise of dynamic web content and sophisticated anti-bot measures, these scripts evolved, often leveraging advanced web automation frameworks like Selenium to mimic realistic browser behavior. The development of bing-rewards automation scripts reflects a continuous cat-and-mouse game between reward program providers and users attempting to optimize point collection, adapting to changes in website structures and detection mechanisms.

SEE ALSO

python(1) - The interpreter for Python scripts., curl(1) - A tool to transfer data from or to a server, often used for simpler web interactions., wget(1) - A non-interactive network downloader, similar to curl., selenium - (External library/framework) A widely used browser automation framework that many bing-rewards scripts leverage., cron(8) - A daemon to execute scheduled commands, often used to run bing-rewards scripts periodically.

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