Whenever we surf the Internet, when we use our devices, we can leave a shadow, a trace that identifies us. This, in a way, could also put our privacy at risk. In this article we are going to talk about what the fingerprint is , something that is present in devices and browsers. Let’s see how it is part of our day to day online and how it could also be a problem.
What is the fingerprint
We can say that the fingerprint is the term that encompasses the records and traces that we leave when we pick up a device and surf the Internet. It is user information that can be used by third parties. Not everything is negative, since it also serves to receive certain content or a service that is more adapted to what we are looking for.
There are certain personal data and our systems that are exposed whenever we enter a web page, for example. This information allows that service to appear in our language, to show us data related to our location, type of equipment, etc.
For example, browsing from a mobile phone in Japan is not the same as browsing from a computer. In the first case, when we visit a site to view global weather information, it could show us that website in its mobile version and in the Japanese language. On the other hand, in the second case it would show us that site in Spanish and adapted to a larger screen.
Therefore, the fingerprint is the trace that we leave when using a device connected to the network and that can be used to obtain a service that is more adapted to the circumstances. This, likewise, can pose a privacy problem if what we want is to browse completely anonymously.
Fingerprint of a device
In this case we can say that the fingerprint of a device is all the information that allows it to be singled out. This data is a compilation that includes what that computer is like, what operating system it is using, configuration, location, possible installed programs …
These are data that, in short, serve to adapt something to users. It serves to know what they can offer us according to the circumstances. Let’s take as an example that we enter a web page that is going to offer us a series of add-ons that require us to have some programs installed on the device. This information is previously sent to the site.
All this serves to surf the net also with less trouble. The sites will appear adapted to the dimensions of our screen or for a certain operating system, for example. Instead, once again, we are exposing data.
Browser fingerprint
The browser’s fingerprint is a case similar to the previous one, but this time that shadow is left by our browser. When we enter a page, that site is going to collect some data. Many of them can also match the fingerprint of the device.
Mainly it is information related to the version of the browser, what operating system we are using, our IP address, etc. In this way they can offer us a service that is more adapted to each user, in a more personalized way.
How to avoid leaving a fingerprint when browsing
After explaining what this term means, many users may find a way to avoid leaving that fingerprint. Basically this means browsing anonymously, without leaving a trace or at least reducing it to the minimum possible.
Something we can do to do this is use a VPN tool . In this way we will encrypt the Internet connection and avoid exposing the IP address. In the same way we can change our geographical location, as if we were in a different point.
We can also use programs to prevent tracking. There are many extensions for browsers that allow us to improve privacy. These plug-ins can also prevent tracking when we visit a website, which prevents us from exposing more data than necessary.
We can also use browsers that do not collect information. In this way the fingerprint of the browser would be considerably reduced. We would not expose data such as IP, location, the operating system we are using, the type of device … There are browsers that offer greater privacy in this regard.
Ultimately, the fingerprint is something that is present on devices and browsers. It is something that we can say that it helps to achieve a more personalized service, for example when entering a web page, but that could also affect privacy.