We are all familiar with how cookies work, but fingerprinting is another data collection technique worth exploring.
In late 2016, fingerprints were collected with a browser restriction, meaning that by switching browsers, a user could visit any online resource and be identified as a new visitor.
Fingerprinting is a method to identify users by collecting and analyzing unique overt characteristics of their device or browser behavior. This consists of the user's operating system, browser type and version, installed fonts, screen resolution, and other technical data.
JavaScript can collect significant data about a user's browser and device. Combining this data creates a unique 'digital fingerprint' for each user, which can be used to track their online activities across different sites and platforms.
Notably, the fingerprint can be tracked across all browsing sessions, even if the user enters incognito mode or uses a VPN to access the site.
Browser fingerprinting is more difficult to bypass than cookies because the user's fingerprint remains the same between incognito browsing sessions or when the browser data is cleared. This makes it an effective method to prevent fraudsters from attempting to hack and spam website owners by accurately identifying website visitors.
How can fingerprinting benefit ordinary users? A digital fingerprint can help detect identity theft or bank account fraud incidents. By using fingerprinting to understand your profile and behavior, the chances of successfully predicting the likelihood of fraud increase. You can identify your unique fingerprint on this service.
However, fingerprint collection is controversial because many users consider it a violation of their privacy.
Each method of browser fingerprinting can collect one or more pieces of information, which can be used to distinguish one user from another.
Using multiple fingerprinting techniques simultaneously and combining the resulting data makes it possible to gather enough information to compile website visitors' fingerprints. The difference between fingerprinting services and cookie collection allows a more complete understanding of users.
Like any user-tracking technology, fingerprinting services have their advantages and disadvantages.
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Pros |
Cons |
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Site analytics can be used to uncover additional user data. |
Some fingerprinting methods may not work on all browsers or devices. |
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Improved ability to deliver targeted advertising by tracking users' online behavior and preferences |
Fingerprinting methods may not always be accurate or reliable, as they can be affected by browser settings, user device changes, or browsing behavior. |
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Fingerprints can help detect fraudulent activity and prevent online threats by identifying unique devices and users. |
Users may use fingerprint protection methods or other privacy tools because they consider fingerprinting a threat. |
In brief, the process of collecting fingerprints can be described as follows:
Entropy measures the information provided by each data point in bits. A feature with numerous possible values, like a list of installed fonts, contributes significantly to the overall entropy. In contrast, a feature with few differences, such as the operating system used, may only add a few bits.
Existing fingerprint libraries automate combining data from multiple APIs into a 'hash' to identify a small group or even a single user.
Active fingerprinting involves examining a user's device or browser to gather information and create a unique fingerprint.
This is done by executing JavaScript code or loading specific resources on a web page that collects data about the user's device and browser behavior. A fingerprinting code can access more inaccessible parameters, such as MAC addresses and unique hardware serial numbers.
Passive (hidden) fingerprint collection methods are less intrusive and collect a narrower range of information than active methods.
Hidden fingerprinting, or passive fingerprinting, involves collecting information about a user's device and browser behavior without actively examining the device or browser.
Covert fingerprinting is most commonly performed by analyzing information passively transmitted by the user's browser during typical browsing activities. These techniques rely on accurately classifying client parameters such as TCP/IP configuration, OS digital fingerprint, IEEE 802.11 (WiFi) settings, and time offset. Stealthy fingerprinting methods are less intensive and more challenging to detect or block than active methods.
Both active and passive fingerprinting methods can be used for various purposes. However, the choice of method depends on specific requirements, such as confidentiality, accuracy, and reliability.
Canvas digital fingerprinting uses the HTML5 Canvas element without cookies or other tools.
Combining multiple sources of information is necessary to identify a particular user, as a single digital fingerprint may be required. Research has shown that the graphics processor can affect the fingerprint.
The image display may vary depending on the browser, operating system, video card, font rendering settings, anti-aliasing algorithms, and other factors. These variations create a unique image that can be used to create a fingerprint. The Canvas fingerprinting service is based on these differences in image display across various web browsers and platforms.
By January 2022, the concept had been expanded to characterize the performance of graphics hardware, which the researchers called DrawnApart.
Fingerprints can uniquely identify users returning to a site without relying on cookies or login credentials. This allows for passive authentication based on the user's device without requiring explicit login each time.
Features such as shopping cart recovery, personalized recommendations, pre-filling payment cards, etc., will be automatically recovered based on a user's past behavior.
Fingerprint SDKs offer APIs to integrate this capability into existing authentication workflows. Digital fingerprints can complement conventional forms of entry for a second authentication factor.
Why fingerprinting is essential for websites:
In doing so, developers must ensure that fingerprints are securely stored and shared with partners to avoid leaks.
Thanks to GDPR, users often see cookie tracking information when they first visit a website and can make more informed decisions about transferring their data. However, fingerprinting differs from cookies because the former collects data about the device, and the latter collects data about the user. The invasion of privacy by tracking services is becoming less profound, but it still persists.
The following steps are required to connect the Fingerprinting services on the site:
A fingerprinting SDK can be embedded in a server infrastructure to detect anomalies and protect its users from attacks. Fingerprinting helps see bot traffic, fraudulent account access, and compromised accounts in the shared infrastructure.
This technique allows hosts to optimize resource allocation and ensure high-speed performance by identifying individual devices/browsers, not just IP addresses.
Since the collection of information by fingerprinting services can be done either covertly or with the user's consent, the most effective ways to prevent this collection are:
A VPN can hide your actual IP address from the online resources you visit. However, keep in mind that your device data may still be collected without your knowledge through fingerprinting.
VPN for those who want to remain undetected online and secure their data. Dedicated IP and complete anonymity.