Welcome to this guide on browser fingerprinting and how to prevent it. Browser fingerprinting is an increasingly popular method for tracking and identifying users across several devices.
This guide will explain browser fingerprinting, how it works, and how to protect against it. We will also explore some pros and cons of using browser fingerprinting.
Is browser fingerprinting possible?
The simple answer is yes! Browser fingerprinting is possible. However, the detailed response will be that browser fingerprinting is used by websites to identify a user’s computer or device. And this is done by collecting data about the user’s browser and settings.
By collecting this data, websites can create a unique fingerprint for each user. This data can then be used to track that user subsequently. Additionally, this data can be used to track a user’s browser history. This technology can also help target them for more relevant ads and content.
Therefore, browser fingerprinting is a powerful tool that is useful to provide users with a more personalized experience. The data that can be collected may include the following:
- Information about the browser’s version: This data is useful to know the type of device you are using.
- Operating system: This data tells the operating system type to help personalize services.
- Language settings: This data can inform the browser how to render service in your language.
- Plugins: This data identifies the plugins that are available on the device.
- Installed fonts: This data is useful to see the type of font used by your device and ensure readability.
What are the benefits of browser fingerprinting?
Browser fingerprinting comes with several benefits that will improve user browser experiences. These benefits may include the following:
- Improved security: Browser fingerprinting can help identify which users are legitimate and which are not. When the browser fingerprints of different users are compared, websites can block suspicious users and stop identity theft.
- Improved user experience: Websites can use browser fingerprinting to provide customized experiences to various users. This can assist to improve user engagement and fidelity.
- Enhanced analytics: Browser fingerprinting can help websites collect and analyze data about user usage and how they act on the site. This data can help to make informed decisions about website design and marketing campaigns.
- Enhanced fraud detection: Browser fingerprinting can help websites identify fraudulent activities and identity theft by comparing the browser fingerprints of different users on the site. This can help prevent losses and damages due to terrible fraudulent activities.
- Improved user authentication: Browser fingerprinting can also be used for authentication as it makes more secure verification of a user’s identity available.
These benefits are advantageous; however, not everyone is comfortable with leaving behind clues that can be used to trace back to them.
This is why we will talk about how to prevent browser fingerprinting next so that you can prevent the website from gathering information about you and help you achieve more privacy.
How do I stop browser fingerprinting?
1. Adjust Browser Settings
1.1 Turn off cookies
- To start, open Chrome on your computer.
- At the top right, click on the ellipses (the 3 dots) and choose Settings.
- Under Privacy and security, click on the Site settings option.
- Now, click on Cookies and site data.
- From here, you can:
- Turn on cookies: Next to Blocked, turn on the radio button.
- Turn off cookies: Next to Allow all cookies turn off the radio button.
Disabling cookies can cause some websites not to function properly or load correctly. So, take note of this. However, this is a good way to have reliable browser fingerprinting protection.
1.2 Block JavaScript
- To start, open Chrome on your computer.
- At the top right, click on the ellipses (the 3 dots) and choose Settings.
- Under Privacy and security, click on the Site settings option.
- Now, under Content, click on the JavaScript option.
- Finally, click on Don’t allow sites to use JavaScript to deactivate JavaScript, or you can customize it by clicking Add next to Not allowed to use JavaScript or Allowed to use JavaScript.
It is advisable that to block JavaScript; you should use a browser extension that can prevent JavaScript from running on certain websites. After blocking JavaScript, you should also use other security measures, such as using a VPN or a reputable ad blocker.
1.3 Disable plugins
- To start, open Chrome on your computer.
- At the top right, click on the ellipses (the 3 dots).
- Thirdly, hover over the More tools option.
- Then click on Extensions.
- Finally, click the toggle switch for the plugin or Remove under the plugin you wish to deactivate.
2. Use Incognito Mode
2.1 Open incognito mode with hotkey
- To start, click on Chrome icon on your computer.
- Wait for it to open accordingly.
- Now press the ctrl + shift + N keys to open the incognito mode.
2.2 Open incognito mode using the ellipses
- To start, click on Chrome icon on your computer.
- Wait for it to open accordingly.
- Now click on the ellipses on the top-right corner of the browser display.
- Then select the New incognito window option in the menu.
- Your incognito window should open as shown below.
3. Use Anti-Tracking Tools
The first thing to remember, there are several anti-tracking tools available that can help prevent browser fingerprinting. These tools can block tracking scripts, data collection, and also limit the amount of your private information vulnerability.
A good anti-tracking tool like Avast Secure Browser can help to prevent fingerprinting accordingly. It is particularly easy to download, has enhanced security, and supports fast browsing. It is also effective in protecting against malicious browsing and downloads.
Some essential features of Avast Secure Browser include:
- Block online tracking
- Mask your digital identity
- Control your login data
- Block viruses and malware
- Webcam guard
4. Use Privacy-Centric Browsers
Certain browsers have been designed with privacy in mind and also have features to help prevent fingerprinting.
The first step to using privacy-centric browsers is to choose a browser designed specifically for the user to protect user data and privacy. For example, Tor, Brave, and DuckDuckGo have features that make it difficult for websites to track users.
For instance, Tor and Brave have certain features that direct user traffic through multiple layers of encryption and networks, making it tasking to track users’ online activities. Once such a browser has been chosen, the users should enable privacy settings.
Comparatively, other privacy-centric browsers include Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge. These browsers have settings that can block tracking scripts and cookies, which can help to protect against browser fingerprinting.
It is also important to ensure the browser is always up to date because updates often incorporate fixes for security vulnerabilities that malicious websites can exploit. Finally, users should be informed that using a privacy-centric browser does not mean complete privacy.
Some key benefits of using Privacy-centric browsers include the following:
- Improved privacy
- Increased security
- Reduced ads
- Improved performance
- Clears browser fingerprinting library
5. Use a VPN
- Firstly, press the Windows and I keys together to open the Settings window on your PC.
- Click on VPN and select Add a VPN connection concurrently.
- Thirdly, under Add a VPN connection, select Windows (Built-in).
- Then in the Connection name box, type in a name you’ll quickly recognize during connection e.g. My VPN.
- Afterward, in the Server name or address entry, type in the address for the VPN server.
- Under VPN type, choose the type of VPN connection you intend to create accordingly.
- Under Type of sign-in info, select the (or credentials) to use, for example, a username and password, one-time password, certificate, or a smart card if you’re connecting to a VPN for work.
- Then, enter your username and password in the respective boxes (if required).
- Finally, select Save.
A VPN is not the most effective and reliable technique to protect you from browser fingerprinting. However, when used in collaboration with other techniques, a VPN can be a great asset for cloaking the browser fingerprinting.
In conclusion, just as browser fingerprinting can be a formidable tool for identifying users online, it can pose a significant threat to privacy. Some of the proffered solutions can also work to solve browser fingerprinting via PHP and remove traces of Facebook browser fingerprinting.
In this guide, there are steps that you can altogether take to reduce the risk of being tracked. Users must be aware of the potential risks associated with this technology. It would be best to stay informed and take the necessary steps to protect your online privacy accordingly.
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