In this article, we’ll explore the essential tools and techniques that can help protect your privacy in 2024. Today you have more options than ever to hide your digital identity. 

What is browser fingerprinting? 

Browser fingerprinting is a sophisticated technique that allows websites to track users based on their unique device and browser characteristics. Fingerprinting collects and combines various pieces of information about your device’s setup, unlike cookies. This combination of data creates a unique identifier, or “fingerprint,” that can be used to track you as you browse the web. 

Explanation of the technique 

Browser fingerprinting works by gathering a series of data points from your device.  

These can include: 

• your browser version,  

• operating system, screen resolution,  

• installed fonts, time zone,  

• plugins,  

And even the unique way your device handles certain web elements like JavaScript and WebGL. Essentially, it’s a way for websites to gather enough information to form a digital profile of you. 

These variables, when combined, make it very difficult to create an identical “fingerprint” for anyone else, which is why this method is so effective at identifying and tracking users. 

How computer fingerprint protectors work 

A computer fingerprint protector aims to reduce or obscure these data points to prevent a website from accurately identifying and tracking you. These tools operate by either masking or randomizing the unique data that websites collect from your device. Some protectors block certain scripts that gather your information, while others change how your device reports certain details, making it look like you’re using a different setup. 

For instance, some tools will alter the way your browser sends information about your operating system or the fonts installed on your device. By doing so, they make it much harder for a website to assemble a complete fingerprint. In other cases, more advanced techniques involve creating a “false fingerprint” that confuses the tracking algorithms, making it appear as though you have a completely different device or browser configuration. This approach helps you maintain your anonymity while browsing, as websites can’t rely on your fingerprint to track your movements. 

Essential tools for masking your browser fingerprint in 2024 

Several essential tools able to help users mask their browser fingerprints and reclaim control over their online identities. From privacy-focused browsers to powerful extensions and VPNs, here are the most effective tools available to protect your data from advanced tracking. 

Privacy-focused browsers 

The first line of defense against browser fingerprinting is using a privacy-focused browser. These browsers are specifically designed to minimize the amount of information they share with websites, making it harder for them to create a unique fingerprint. 

1. Firefox
   Firefox has long been recognized as one of the most privacy-conscious browsers. With its Enhanced Tracking Protection (ETP) feature, it blocks a wide range of tracking scripts, including those used for fingerprinting. Firefox also offers several privacy add-ons, and it’s highly customizable to suit your privacy needs. If you disable certain JavaScript features and block third-party cookies, it significantly can reduce the amount of data that websites can collect. 
2. Brave
   Brave is another excellent choice for privacy-conscious users. It comes with built-in features such as ad-blocking and fingerprint protection, which automatically block scripts that attempt to track your digital fingerprint. Brave also allows you to use Tor (a privacy-focused network) directly within the browser for even stronger anonymity. Brave takes things further by rewarding users with cryptocurrency for opting into privacy-preserving ads. This provides users a unique balance between privacy and user incentives. 
3. Tor Browser
   Tor Browser is the gold standard if maximum anonymity is your goal. Tor works by routing your internet traffic through a network of volunteer-operated servers, hiding your IP address and making it incredibly difficult to trace your activity. Tor also prevents websites from collecting detailed fingerprinting data, such as your screen resolution and installed fonts, by using a uniform configuration for all users. It offers unmatched privacy but it may slow down your browsing speed . 

Virtual private networks (VPNs) and proxy servers 

VPNs and proxy servers add an extra layer of privacy by masking your IP address and routing your internet traffic through remote servers. This makes it harder for websites to track your location or connect your browsing activity across sessions. 

1. VPNs
   VPNs are an essential tool for masking your browser fingerprint. Your internet traffic is routed through an encrypted tunnel to a remote server, which then connects to websites on your behalf. This masks your real IP address, making it harder for websites to link your activity back to your physical location. A good VPN also offers DNS leak protection to prevent any unencrypted data from leaking.
   When selecting a VPN, it’s important to choose one with a no-logs policy, meaning the provider doesn’t store records of your internet activity. Additionally, look for a VPN that has strong encryption and offers server obfuscation, which can help disguise the fact that you’re using a VPN in the first place. 
2. Proxy servers
   Proxies are similar to VPNs in that they mask your IP address, but they differ in how they route your traffic. While VPNs encrypt your entire connection, proxies generally only reroute specific web traffic. While they may not provide the same level of security as a VPN, proxies are still useful for bypassing certain geographical restrictions and masking your identity from websites that may be using fingerprinting techniques. 

Advanced tracking and fingerprint protection tools 

For users who want even more control over their fingerprint, there are specialized tools that modify or block tracking scripts directly. These tools are designed to mask or change your browser’s fingerprint characteristics, making it harder for websites to identify you. 

1. Multilogin
   Multilogin is a powerful tool used by marketers and privacy-conscious users alike. It allows you to create multiple browser profiles, each with its own distinct fingerprint. This means you can browse the web with different “identities,” avoiding tracking and creating an entirely new digital fingerprint for each session. It’s particularly useful for those who need to manage multiple online identities while staying private. 
2. Canvas Defender
   One of the most commonly used fingerprinting techniques is canvas fingerprinting, which collects information from your browser’s canvas element (a part of the HTML5 structure). Canvas Defender is a tool that alters the canvas fingerprint to either randomize it or give it a different value each time you visit a site. This helps protect against tracking methods that rely on specific canvas elements. 
3. FoxyProxy
   FoxyProxy is an advanced proxy management tool that allows users to switch between different proxies easily. This can be used to mask your fingerprint by making it appear as though you are browsing from a different location each time. You can configure different rules for routing traffic through different proxies, which makes it more difficult for websites to link sessions and track you. 

How to hide fingerprints: Step-by-step guide 

When it comes to protecting your privacy online, hiding your browser fingerprint is essential. The good news is that you don’t need to be a tech expert to mask your fingerprints. Here’s a step-by-step guide, starting with simple tips and moving on to more advanced techniques. 

Basic tips to mask your fingerprint 

1. Clearing cookies and cache regularly
   While cookies can be deleted with a simple browser setting, regularly clearing your cache and cookies can help prevent websites from tracking you over time. Browser cookies store small pieces of data that allow websites to identify you when you return. By deleting them frequently, you reduce the chances of being tracked across different sessions. Although this won’t completely protect you from fingerprinting, it’s an easy first step. 
2. Disabling JavaScript or using script blockers
   JavaScript is a major tool used in fingerprinting because it allows websites to gather detailed information about your device. Disabling JavaScript can break many websites, but using script blockers like NoScript or uMatrix can prevent harmful scripts from running. These blockers give you control over what scripts are executed, allowing you to stop any that might be collecting data for fingerprinting. 

Advanced techniques for fingerprint alteration 

While the basic tips are useful, advanced techniques give you better control over your browser’s fingerprint and can make a huge difference in preventing tracking. 

1. Using browser extensions or specific tools to change your fingerprint dynamically
   Extensions like Canvas Defender and Multilogin are specifically designed to alter or randomize your fingerprint each time you browse. For example, Canvas Defender changes how your browser interacts with the canvas element, making it harder for websites to use canvas fingerprinting for tracking. Multilogin lets you create multiple, distinct browser profiles that generate different fingerprints, allowing you to hide your true identity on the web. 
2. How to stop Canvas from tracking tabs by disabling or modifying Canvas Fingerprinting
   Canvas fingerprinting is one of the most common methods of browser tracking. It works by using your browser’s HTML5 canvas element to generate a unique identifier based on how your device renders a specific image. To stop canvas fingerprinting, you can either use extensions like Canvas Defender, which randomizes the generated fingerprint, or modify your browser settings (depending on the browser) to disable the canvas feature entirely. This prevents websites from using it to track you across tabs or sessions. 
3. Methods to alter your browser fingerprint using more advanced settings or apps
   For users looking for more control, there are specialized tools like FoxyProxy and Tor. FoxyProxy allows users to switch between multiple proxies to mask their fingerprints, while Tor provides complete anonymity by routing your traffic through multiple servers. Additionally, some apps allow users to alter system-level data (such as screen resolution and fonts) to change the browser fingerprint more dynamically. These advanced methods are ideal for those who need high levels of anonymity and privacy. 

How to alter your fingerprints: best practices 

Here are the most effective methods for changing and hiding your fingerprints. 

Advanced techniques for changing your browser fingerprint 

Manually adjusting settings to avoid fingerprinting

Many browsers offer advanced privacy settings that allow you to alter certain characteristics of your fingerprint manually. For instance, you can adjust your browser’s user-agent string (the piece of data that tells websites what browser and operating system you’re using) to make it harder to identify your specific device. If you reduce or randomize other data points like screen resolution, time zone, and installed fonts it can help hide your true fingerprint. 

How to hide fingerprints on mobile browsers or tablets

Hiding your fingerprint on mobile devices presents additional challenges due to limited customization options.  

However, there are a few key steps you can take to protect your privacy on mobile browsers: 

• Use privacy-focused mobile browsers: Browsers like Brave or Firefox Focus for mobile offer enhanced tracking protection, including blocking fingerprinting scripts. 

• Enable VPNs or proxies: Using a VPN or proxy on your mobile device can mask your IP address and prevent websites from tracking your location. 

• Limit JavaScript: Some mobile browsers allow you to limit or block JavaScript execution, which helps prevent fingerprinting scripts from gathering device details. 

• Use Tor: For maximum privacy, the Tor Browser is available for both Android and iOS, offering robust fingerprinting protection and anonymity. 

How to check your fingerprint with Pixelscan

Pixelscan is a quick and reliable tool for analyzing your browser fingerprint and checking for potential privacy leaks.

1. Visit Pixelscan: Go to pixelscan.net.
2. Run the Test: Click the “Check Browser” button to analyze your fingerprint.
3. Review Results: Examine the detailed report, including your IP address, browser configuration, and system details.
4. Identify Issues: Look for red flags, such as unique fingerprint elements or tracking vulnerabilities.

Final verdict 

Remember, you don’t need to implement everything at once.   

But if you are informed about the right tools and using them, you can take back control of your online presence and browse with confidence.