Testing how unique you are online (web fingerprinting)
from elfpie@beehaw.org to technology@beehaw.org on 05 Jan 2025 11:16
https://beehaw.org/post/17901696
from elfpie@beehaw.org to technology@beehaw.org on 05 Jan 2025 11:16
https://beehaw.org/post/17901696
I’m not an expert on the subject, but a discussion elsewhere reminded me of some tests related to tracking and fingerprinting. I believe it’s a nice starting point if you are interested or want to show others how much information can be used to track them.
Growing up, your IP was the great identifier, and I’m old enough that it might have been true for a good chunk of time. Hiding your IP is still important, but most companies don’t really care about you as an individual. Actually, the fact you are hiding you IP is just more relevant information to put you in the most adequate group. At the end of the day, I assume you are unique just because they have enough information to create a group with you alone.
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… Apparently I am almost fully unique by my language settings alone. 0.00% of people have canadian english and japanese as their phone language. Of course this is just from their dataset but still, this was definitely very enlightening!
It's very unique because only 0.05% of browsers have Hebrew as a prefered language(according to the second site), oh well, I guess it's a problem for all semi-small language users
I am very unique… solely based on the the referer 🤣
Ooh this is really insightful for someone who knows little about the details of tracking and browsing on the Internet. Thanks!
Apparently my browser is unique but has strong protections against tracking?
Yeah Geometry Dash this is also an issue I’m concerned about being wrong in language settings. Their data set of phone language settings but anyway, this is definitely useful information!