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    Webbrowsers - fingerprints?

    Discussion in 'Security and Anti-Virus Software' started by DetlevCM, Jan 29, 2010.

  1. DetlevCM

    DetlevCM Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    DetlevCM, Jan 29, 2010
    #1
  2. HPDV6700

    HPDV6700 Notebook Consultant

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    Chrome

    Your browser fingerprint appears to be unique among the 242,234 tested so far.

    Currently, we estimate that your browser has a fingerprint that conveys at least 17.89 bits of identifying information.

    I cant read German, so i have no idea what the page says lol.
     
    HPDV6700, Jan 29, 2010
    #2
  3. Nankuru

    Nankuru Notebook Evangelist

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    If you switch off plug-ins, javascript and java you'll become a lot less unique, but with a pretty dull page :D

    Chrome keeps a lot of private information so I'd expect it to worse than any other browser. I don't have it installed anymore so I can't check.

    I guess Firefox will do best at this because Opera is less common.

    Stuff like this is becoming more of a threat these days.
     
    Nankuru, Jan 30, 2010
    #3
  4. gerryf19

    gerryf19 I am the walrus

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    I hesitate to say this, but you have a fingerprint, too.

    A computer's fingerprint's uniqueness is only useful as an identifier if it is connected to you the person. Also, while a single fingerprint can be a useful tool at a crime scene, it is useless if there are several million fingerprints in the room.

    This is an interesting exercise, but it's scary potential is overrated.
     
    gerryf19, Jan 30, 2010
    #4
  5. yejun

    yejun Notebook Deity

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    My IE8 and chrome are both unique. Anyone get a non unique result?
     
    yejun, Feb 5, 2010
    #5
  6. swarmer

    swarmer beep beep

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    Yeah, but the "fingerprint" will change as soon as you update your browser or enable/disable any plugins... or set your computer to a different time zone... or even connect it to a monitor with a different resolution.

    Still... kind of interesting how much info they can get from your browser.
     
    swarmer, Feb 5, 2010
    #6
  7. key001

    key001 Notebook Evangelist

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    cut off your browser's fingers :p
     
    key001, Feb 6, 2010
    #7