The issue with browser fingerprinting is that it is probabilistic in nature. It seems at a treasure trove of knowledge to trace you on-line, not any particular person piece of knowledge. A VPN, as an example, can hide your IP address and make you seem in a distinct location. If sufficient of the opposite knowledge in your fingerprint is constant, nonetheless, it might nonetheless be used to trace you. Your IP handle could also be totally different, however nearly every little thing else about your looking shouldn’t be.
There could also be sensible use circumstances for fingerprinting, however you actually don’t have a lot say within the matter. Even with protections just like the GDPR, the second you load an internet site, there are possible just a few dozen (if no more) trackers copying the data your browser shares for their very own functions. Providers like Fingerprint leverage that data to create an identifier, however make no mistake, the information is at all times there.
Get Round Browser Fingerprinting
You possibly can’t get round browser fingerprinting, no less than not with out vital compromises to your looking expertise (extra on that later). Even when you had been to spoof or obfuscate each piece of knowledge your browser sends alongside, that’d in all probability work towards you. The aim with avoiding fingerprinting is to grow to be a Jane Doe on-line; you need to disappear within the crowd, so each piece of knowledge that makes you stand out sends up a crimson flag.
The easiest way to combat again towards fingerprinting is to cover or rotate sufficient data in order that it’s tougher to trace you, not not possible. And that begins with a VPN, although it doesn’t make you absolutely nameless. The clearest on-line fingerprint you allow is your IP handle and bodily location, and VPNs conceal each. Extra importantly, lots of the best VPNs right now embrace extra instruments to fight fingerprinting.
ProtonVPN, which is what I exploit myself, consists of NetShield to dam trackers, adverts, and malware. It doesn’t stop fingerprinting, however NetShield can no less than seize and block requests from well-known trackers to make you a bit extra personal on-line. NordVPN has an identical function, as does Surfshark.
Essentially the most strong model of the sort of blocker comes from Windscribe. By means of its browser extension, you are able to do issues like rotate your browser’s person agent to make it seem as when you’re utilizing a distinct browser, in addition to spoof your language, time zone, and GPS data to match the VPN server you’re linked to. Once more, this won’t make you absolutely nameless on-line. However an extension just like the one Windscribe gives makes monitoring your fingerprint tougher.