What is a user-generated event?¶

A user-generated event is an event produced in response to interaction through a device, application or service.

Examples may include submitting a form, changing a setting, opening a file or issuing a command.

Avoid this assumption: That the label “user-generated” proves the named account holder personally performed the action. It does not.

The system usually records activity within a user account, session or interface. The person controlling that environment may be someone else. The account may be shared, compromised or accessed remotely.

The action may also be indirect. A user may click once and cause several downstream events. An application may then create files, call APIs, update a database and send notifications automatically.

Investigators should distinguish the initiating interaction from the resulting system activity. Ask what specific input normally produces the event and whether the same event can be generated through an API, script, administrator console or automated workflow.

Preserve the account, session, device, source address, request ID and surrounding events. Look for authentication, application and endpoint records that support direct interaction.

Where the event concerns a sensitive or disputed action, consider whether the interface required confirmation, reauthentication or multi-factor approval. Determine whether the system records those stages separately.

Use language that separates technical observation from attribution. It may be accurate to say that an action was recorded within a user session while remaining uncertain who controlled that session.

Operational takeaway¶

A user-generated event indicates activity associated with a user interaction or session, but attribution still depends on proving who controlled the account, device or interface and what part of the outcome was automatic.