Introducing Fingerprint: what it is, how to check and change it

Fingerprint, a fingerprint (literally translated from English, fingerprint sounds like a fingerprint) is a set of data collected about a computer, laptop, tablet and other remote device for the purpose of subsequent identification of both the gadget and the user himself. Carries out identification by the unique characteristics of his device, system, browser, and not by special labels stored in his system. Due to the fact that the fingerprint does not provide for storing data on the client, it is very difficult to notice and almost impossible to avoid. Moreover, cookies are valid only within the same domain, but unique features are stored when visiting different sites. As a result, tracking a user's virtual movement on the World Wide Web remains simple and effective. And if cookies can be disabled, but the unique features of the browser, operating system, devices remain active all the time.

Let's get acquainted in more detail with how the fingerprint works, how it is used. Let us dwell in detail on how to check and replace it.

Learn more about how Fingerprint works

The simplest Fingerprint methods use the version of the browser installed on your device or operating system, IP address, screen extension, system language, time zone, and even the clock to literally millionths of a second as unique indicators. The list of fonts used on the computer is also used. If you still use Flash-memory, then here you can still add all those devices that are connected to the computer, be it a mouse, keyboard, camera, microphone, and even multitouch.

And even if it is possible to make minor changes to any of these signs (changing the operating system, browser, moving to another time zone, etc.), then all the same, the user can be easily identified by other indicators. The only way to avoid all this – change most of the characteristics at the same time. Otherwise, the probability of identification remains very high.

So, the formation of a fingerprint (Build Fingerprint) can be done in two ways:

1. Hidden. In this case, it is supposed to send a hidden request to the user's device, with the help of which it will be possible to establish with high accuracy such indicators as the TCP / IP configuration, find out information about the installed network settings and operating system, clock time and other points mentioned above.
2. Open. This is the so-called active fingerprint. Allows you to get even more accurate information about the user device and with his permission. In addition to the options mentioned above, it also provides access to the serial numbers of PC elements that are inherently unique, the MAC address and other information specific to one device only. And the most interesting thing is that a person may not even know that he gave any such permissions. To implement an open Fingerprint, an autorun code is installed on the user's computer, as an option, JavaScript.

It doesn't matter which fingerprinting method is used by – the result will be identical: information about your device will be available to those who want to get it.

It all started with a good idea

Initially, Fingerprint technology was developed by specialists as a special data collection algorithm that was intended to combat online fraud. But something went wrong. Today, most of the resources of online stores seek to collect as much confidential information about their visitors as possible in order to form personal profiles. They seek to get:

• phone number;
• last name, first name and patronymic;
• date of birth;
• A valid physical residential address.

This data is enough to fully identify a person and add him to your client base for subsequent "processing". Depending on the purpose for which a fingerprint is used, related information can be added to such databases, in particular, hobbies, preferences, products that a person was interested in, etc. All this complements the overall picture and allows you to form a real portrait of a potential buyer. And if all this is true, then it would seem that there is nothing terrible and illegal in such actions: users can simply not respond to calls or online messages from online store managers, automatic mailing.

A much more serious – getting such voluminous and real information about a particular person into the hands of an attacker. And what it will eventually lead to is very difficult to imagine. Gaining access by third parties to your personal data, banking operations, e-mail clients – these are just a few of the options. And the most unpleasant thing about all this is that anyone can be subjected to a fingerprint. Unfortunately, few people know how to protect themselves from unauthorized collection of information. But we will try to fix it now.

Performing Fingerprint Validation

The first thing to do is to check exactly what data Fingerprint gives about your computer, laptop and, accordingly, yourself. This can be done easily and quickly with the help of specialized services. Here are 2 best options:

1. Fingerprint Central. Checking the browser in this software is completely free. We go to the site, select the My Fingerprint section and systematically, one after the other, click on the "Run JavaScript Tests" buttons, then "Send to Server". and then "Get Statistics". At the same time, a special plate will be filled in. In one column – criterion, and in the second – Percentage of users who have exactly the same score or feature. If you go to the "Custom statistics" section, then from the general list you can sort several parameters to control the users that you are most interested in.
2. Am I Unique. This service provides an answer to the question of whether the system can track you specifically. Run the check and as a result of the issuance, see which characteristic prints give out exactly you. It is highly likely that these will be pre-installed fonts, the model and type of video card, the presence or absence of an ad blocker, etc.

That is, using these programs, you can see what specific browser fingerprints and characteristics of your operating system may be available to certain online stores, resources.

The saddest thing about all this is that Fingerprint can even be applied to individuals who use browsers with a fairly high level of built-in security at work. So what do you do to ensure your anonymity?

Fingerprint substitution methods

Today, there are several options for replacing browser fingerprints and operating system characteristics. Consider the most common and proven options:

1. Internet extension. Most modern browsers use special extensions that are designed to anonymize user fingerprints when visiting a particular web page. This process was launched relatively recently, after the collection of information and users reached avalanche proportions, which led to massive lawsuits. Such extensions are now freely available in application stores, in particular in the same Google Chrome. Alternatively, you can use Canvas Blocker, Canvas Fingerprint Defender.
2. Antidetect browsers. These are search engines designed for anonymous access to pages, sites. They are also widely used in multi-accounting. They are built on special security algorithms, as well as on the substitution of real digital fingerprints for fictitious ones. This ensures a sufficiently high level of protection of the user's personal data. Each time different prints are used, which are selected randomly. The most widely used in practice today are such antidetect browsers as MultiLogin, ANTBrowser, Linken Sphere Browser, Indigo BrowserGhost, but there are others.
3. VPN. If you connect VPN to work, then when you enter the site, the algorithms will read information not about the real user, but about the virtual network itself. Moreover, all data streams are securely encrypted, which provides additional protection for user data.
4. Mobile proxies. This is an additional link between a real user and the Internet, which will pass all traffic through itself. As a result of this, the real technical data of the personal computer will be replaced with the IP address and geolocation of the proxy server. This ensures not only anonymity of work, but also a high level of security, circumvention of regional locks, work in multi-threaded mode without the risk of blocking.

Summing up

Specialists in the field of information technology do not sit idly by. They are constantly improving algorithms to protect against the collection of browser fingerprints. But what to do today for those for whom the security and efficiency of the network are not empty words? The most reliable and effective way to avoid – use personal mobile proxies in your work, in particular, from the MobileProxy.Space service. For a very reasonable price, you get a multifunctional product that will provide you with guaranteed protection against data collection when working with the network. Each user receives a personal dedicated channel with unlimited traffic and the ability to quickly change the IP address on a timer or request through a personal account. IP rotation by geolocation and mobile network operator is also provided, which removes any regional blocking and allows you to engage in multi-accounting. And it also provides simultaneous work on the HTTP (S) and Socks5 protocols through parallel connected ports and a host of other features.

Use 2-hour free trial to see for yourself the more than significant advantages of mobile proxies from MobileProxy.Space .

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