When you use a browser to access the internet, it leaves a digital fingerprint. And just like an actual fingerprint, it can be used to identify you.
The problem is, unlike an actual fingerprint, you can't remove it by wiping away the mark. You can't wear a pair of digital gloves to stop it appearing. And there's no software or add-on that prevents it. Because any website can install code that gathers your browser fingerprint. And this code slips under the radar of traditional anonymity tools.
Digital fingerprinting was originally developed by banks, to prevent online fraud. Now the technique is used by companies to track your internet use, and can be used to identify you. A team of university researchers analysed 100,000 of the most popular websites, and found more than 5% were using 'canvas fingerprinting'. These included the official White House website of the US Government, the San Francisco Chronicle, and YouPorn (although since news first broke, YouPorn said they had removed the technology as they were unaware it had this feature).
The technique is more accurate than cookies. Because after you delete them, you appear as a new user. It's also more 'subtle'. After all, users in the EU usually get a reminder cookies are being used when they first land on a website. With browser fingerprinting, there's no such requirement. And unlike deleting cookies, deleting your browser fingerprint isn't that simple.
That's actually a good question. Ever since Apple removed Safari for Windows, it is actually hard to get installers for safari on windows. But it is where a VM saves life. Get instant access to Safari 9 browser online and check your web pages and webapps for cross browser compatibility and responsiveness. Debug your test runs through complete set of command, network, and Appium logs and automated screenshots. Free el capitan os x 10 11. Safari has a 15% global market share and is the default browser for all Apple devices like Mac, iPhone, and iPad. In the US, the Safari browser has a 32% market share (as of 2019). Given this, it becomes very vital to test websites on Safari Browser. Open the Safari browser and select History in the menu bar located at the top of the screen. You'll see a drop-down menu with the titles of the web pages you visited recently. Select a website to load the respective page or select one of the previous days at the bottom of the menu to see more options.
How browser fingerprinting works
A website makes your browser create an image, using its Canvas API. This is hidden from you. There's no drop in performance, and you don't know it's happening. However, every machine is slightly different in some way. Your browser will render the image in a way that's unique to your machine. And that's how you can be identified.
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How to read the results
A website doesn't collect your digital fingerprint via a route that you can just block off. Instead, it gathers a mixture of information about the machine you're using. Now, each element on its own doesn't identify you. But when you put them all together? That's when it becomes a problem.
Run Hidester's browser fingerprinting tool to see what makes up your digital fingerprint. You'll get results that include your:
- Time zone
- User agent
- Installed plugins
- Installed fonts
- Screen resolution
- Language
You can see, there's nothing particularly advanced within the data. But in combination, it's enough to identify you among millions of users.
How to hide your browser fingerprint
Other security tools, such as using a VPN, web proxy, blocking a WebRTC leak, or diceware password generator are all about hiding your identity. With your digital fingerprint, you don't hide it. You just make it look the same as others, so you can't be identified. There's safety in numbers. With that in mind, the following are tried-and-tested methods for 'breaking' (not hiding) your digital fingerprint:
- Configure your browser differently
When you use a particular machine, change some elements before you go online. Download or remove add-ons, upgrade the browser, install new fonts, connect a different-sized screen to register different resolutions. To check you've done it correctly, make some changes and then run Hidester's tool. The results should be different every time. However, you'll need to do that for every session. - Make your browser fingerprint as generic as possible
The best way to do this is by running using a Virtual Machine (VM). There are no lasting differences with VMs, and they're easy to set up every time. Just make sure you use different setup parameters. But if more people use this method, the less chance that any can be identified individually. So feel free to share this article with them! - Use a non-customised mobile device
Android is highly configurable, so this leaves you with iOS devices. Apple operates a 'walled garden' (where the platform provider creates and controls the device's ecosystem, preventing third party installations). The majority of users have Safari for accessing the internet, and stick to the pre-installed software. With millions of iPhones in circulation, it becomes impossible to identify individuals.
What now?
Hiding your browser fingerprint is just one part of protecting your online identity. There's no point in doing all of the above, and then leaving your IP vulnerable in some other way. That's why we recommend to download a reliable VPN software. Once downloaded, VPN activation can be performed here. We also recommend signing up to our blog. You'll get the latest digital security news, free technical guides to online anonymity, plus tips on keeping your internet activity private.
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