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Browser Fingerprinting

The tracking that ignores your cookie settings. What it is and how to reduce it.

What Is a Browser Fingerprint?

Every browser reveals a huge amount about itself: screen resolution, installed fonts, browser version, operating system, graphics card, time zone, language, and dozens of other data points. Combined these create a fingerprint unique to your device - and it persists even if you delete cookies or use incognito mode.

Check Your Fingerprint

Go to coveryourtracks.eff.org - run by the Electronic Frontier Foundation. It shows exactly how unique your browser fingerprint is compared to everyone else they have seen. Most people are surprised by the result.

How to Reduce Fingerprinting

01
Use Firefox with uBlock OriginFirefox has fingerprinting resistance built in. Enable it under Privacy and Security, Enhanced Tracking Protection, Strict.
02
Try Brave BrowserBrave randomizes your fingerprint slightly with each site visit making cross-site tracking much harder. Chrome-compatible so everything still works.
03
Avoid unnecessary extensionsEvery extension you install makes your fingerprint more unique. Fewer is better.
04
Keep your browser updatedOutdated browsers have more identifiable quirks that stand out in fingerprints.
THE HONEST TRUTH

Full fingerprint resistance is hard. The best approach is layering: encrypted DNS to hide what sites you visit, a privacy browser to reduce tracking on those sites, and a password manager so a breach on one site does not expose all your others.