Browser Fingerprinting

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webfork
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Browser Fingerprinting

#1 Post by webfork »

One of my favorite things to do is to experiment with Firefox browser add-ons to adjust my online experience, but making your browser experience unique means that you become more visible online. The EFF has a site that shows how unique you are: https://coveryourtracks.eff.org/ or you can read more about the fingerprinting (both good and bad).

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This is a topic that portable software is uniquely positioned to address due to the ability to have one or more of the same browser with various configurations on your system at any given time. So instead of (for example) Firefox Containers trying to separate Work, Banking, Personal, etc.

Image

... you can have a separate browser for each of those operations, and have no risk of browser finterprinting suggesting who you are.

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Some solutions from probably best to worst:
  • TorBrowser with or without the Tor network - since, if you already have a trusted VPN, you might prefer that for speed or if some sites you need ban Tor connections.
  • Firefox Extend Release version and just install the HTTPS Everywhere and NoScript (apart from some internal tweaks, this is mostly what makes up the standard TorBrowser)
  • Standard Firefox in Private Mode (enabled by checking the box in the menu pictured below) and keeping plugins to a minimum.

    Image
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To be clear, the EFF recommends the use of TorBrowser or Brave, which both are built for this operation.

Finally, I've only spent a few hours researching this so additional recommendations on this welcome.
Last edited by webfork on Tue Nov 24, 2020 11:14 am, edited 1 time in total.

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SYSTEM
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Re: Browser Fingerprinting

#2 Post by SYSTEM »

webfork wrote: Tue Nov 24, 2020 11:11 am
Firefox Extend Release version and just install the HTTPS Everywhere and NoScript (apart from some internal tweaks, this is mostly what makes up the standard TorBrowser)
On the topic of HTTPS Everywhere: Firefox 83 just introduced optional HTTPS-only mode which is even stricter than HTTPS Everywhere. Not available in Firefox ESR yet. https://support.mozilla.org/kb/https-only-prefs
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freakazoid
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Re: Browser Fingerprinting

#3 Post by freakazoid »

HTTPS Everywhere isn't really needed as of Firefox 83. Version 83 introduces native HTTPS-only mode - https://blog.mozilla.org/security/2020/ ... only-mode/
is it stealth? ;)

freakazoid
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Re: Browser Fingerprinting

#4 Post by freakazoid »

Haha, SYSTEM and I posted about the same thing about a minute apart! :)
is it stealth? ;)

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Midas
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Re: Browser Fingerprinting

#5 Post by Midas »

I was going to post something about the Panopticlick EFF web resource (https://panopticlick.eff.org/) , but upon refreshing I realized that it is now just a pointer to the CoverYourTracks resource webfork pointed above.

bitcoin
Posts: 285
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Re: Browser Fingerprinting

#6 Post by bitcoin »

i think they've moved on to device fingerprinting.

when i sign in to free email providers like Mail dot com or GMX dot com i'm hit with this popup every time now:

We Care About Your Privacy!



We and our partners store and/or access information on a device, such as unique IDs
in cookies to process personal data. You may accept or manage your choices by clicking
below or at any time in the privacy policy page. These choices will be signaled to our
partners and will not affect browsing data.Privacy Policy
We and our partners process data to provide:



If you accept, we may do the following:
Use precise geolocation data ; Actively scan device characteristics for identification.
This is done to Store and/or access information on a device and to provide Personalised
ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development.
List of Partners (vendors)





Actively scan device characteristics for identification

Your device can be identified based on a scan of your device's unique combination of characteristics.


Use precise geolocation data

Your precise geolocation data can be used in support of one or more purposes.
This means your location can be accurate to within several meters.



Match and combine offline data sources

Data from offline data sources can be combined with your online activity in support of one or more purposes



Link different devices

Different devices can be determined as belonging to you or your household in support of one or more of purposes.




Receive and use automatically-sent device characteristics for identification

Your device might be distinguished from other devices based on information it automatically sends,
such as IP address or browser type.



Your Privacy

We process your data to deliver content or advertisements and measure the delivery of such content
or advertisements to extract insights about our website. We share this information with our partners
on the basis of consent. You may exercise your right to consent, based on a specific purpose below or
at a partner level in the link under each purpose. These choices will be signaled to our vendors
participating in the Transparency and Consent Framework
. More information

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__philippe
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Re: Browser Fingerprinting

#7 Post by __philippe »

Topic pesky typo mended, forgive the intrusion, couldn't stand it any longer... :mrgreen:

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webfork
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Re: Browser Fingerprinting

#8 Post by webfork »

Update here: Firefox put out a feature directly addressing fingerprinting - great to see. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/fi ... erprinting - care of https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=31479605

I will say that I had something enabled in the about:config for this and it was breaking some web tool functionality. Which is a tradeoff I'm happy to make.

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