We have been writing about Online Privacy and covering tools that claim total privacy: Proxies, VPNs and similar software. But we did not think about this, that websites already know who you are! The method is known as Device Fingerprinting or Browser Fingerprinting. In this post, we’ll talk about what is Browser Fingerprint and then see if we have any methods to avoid the method of tracking or tracing you.
What is Browser Fingerprinting?
Bowser Fingerprinting is a collection of your data by websites you visit using any browser and identifying you based on that data. Almost every Internet user has different settings for his or her browser. It is not only browser information, but it is also possible for websites to run a JavaScript or Flash script to know the type of computer screen you own, fonts on the system, Cookies, and so on.
But do these things matter if you are using a Proxy and a VPN? A Proxy just changes your location. It does not add or remove extensions from your browser or change its settings. Likewise, a VPN too will not change your screen resolution and pixel depth. None can stop the website from querying the fonts installed on your computer or hide their sequence to make it look like a different computer.
In other words, they cannot modify or erase your Browser Footprints. Though there are options now, in most browsers to ask websites to Not Track you, the website(s) may or may not accept the request. You can also use some third-party tools to help in reducing, tracking and tracing you. They do work, but they cannot block queries coming from the websites.
Read: How to protect Personally Identifiable Information on the Internet.
Returning to Browser Fingerprinting, some third-party companies take up the task of identifying you among millions of others visiting a particular site. Most of the data is obtained by querying your browser: The number of extensions, the installed extensions, browser settings, cookies you are permitted to store on your computer, and data like that. Some companies add a script to help you understand your system configuration. In short, they first identify you and then track you, usually for profit!
Now that you know that websites can identify you using different methods, you might want to know how to escape this kind of snooping.
If you are inclined to, you can test your browser’s uniqueness by visiting this Panopticlick link. This site tells you how easy or tough it would be to figure out the browser fingerprints.
Read: Website Traffic Fingerprinting.
Avoid and disable Browser Fingerprinting
Though some Chrome and Firefox plugins claim to do the task by randomly enabling and disabling add-ons, I do not think this can really work. It would further tell websites about your browser using these specific plugins. Plus, they only enable or disable the other plugins, so the websites can always read what all plugins and extensions are present, even if they are disabled.
You can manually add some plugins before starting the browsing session. And each time, you may remove them and add some other plugins. This too is not a solid answer to preventing or disabling browser fingerprints.
The main problem is that they can query your computer using Javascript or Flash code. A Flash code can give away good information about your system.
I am not sure, but I think I read somewhere that you can disable system querying by disabling Flash on your computer, as the websites use Flash scripting to query your computer. If any of you have information on this, please share.
Some might think that using InCognito or InPrivate mode might help. But without extensions, it still gives a unique identity to your browser, “Hey, this is the guy who always uses InCognito mode… but I can read the extensions he has on his browser… wait, I can also see his browser settings.”.
Read: What is Web Tracking? What are Trackers in browsers?
Among the several steps you could take to prevent or disable browser fingerprinting, you could try these too:
- Disable JavaScript. Disabling JavaScript is a powerful defense against browser fingerprinting because it cuts off the code that websites use to detect plugins, fonts, use of supercookies, etc. But this could affect your browsing experiences.
- Use TorButton. It standardizes most browser characteristics and strings and can block JavaScript. Plugins are also available for browsers.
- See how to block Canvas Fingerprinting in Chrome and Firefox.
- CoverYourTracks website shows you how trackers see your browser, providing you with an overview of your most unique and identifying characteristics.
This is what I could gather about browser fingerprinting. The only good news is that not many sites employ this technique – yet!
If you think I missed something or if you wish to add something, please share it with us using the comment boxes.
Now read about Cross-browser fingerprinting and how to find out your Browser and Computer’s unique Fingerprint.
