Browser Fingerprinting
EFF has released an interesting study they have completed on the effectiveness of browser fingerprinting. What they found was that the great majority of browsers are easily and uniquely fingerprinted. In fact, “We identifieded only three groups of browser with comparatively good resistance to fingerprinting: those that block JavaScript, those that use TorButton, and certain types of smartphone.”
Browser fingerprinting is performing a series of tests to attempt to uniquely identify a browser and the machine from which it is being used. If one is able to fingerprint a browser, then one may reasonably assume that the person using the machine is consistent. The ability to fingerprint punches a huge hole in various techniques used to maintain privacy or anonymity while browsing.
Here is more information from EFF:
- EFF Research Shows More Than 8 in 10 Browsers Have Unique, Trackable Signatures
- Browser Uniqueness White Paper
- How unique is your browser?
Some of the bits of information that your browser exposes to allow it be be fingerprinted include:
- Browser plugins
- Installed system fonts
These bits of information are only available using javascript. Disabling javascript certainly does enhance your privacy but it also negatively impacts your online experience.
This is an area that requires more research and the development of anti-fingerprinting techniques.
