Browser fingerprinting is a growing technique for identifying and tracking users online without traditional methods like cookies. This paper gives an overview by examining the various fingerprinting techniques and analyzes the entropy and uniqueness of the collected data.
The analysis highlights that browser fingerprinting poses a complex challenge from both technical and privacy perspectives, as users often have no control over the collection and use of their data. In addition, it raises significant privacy concerns as users are often tracked without their knowledge or consent. In the increasingly digitized world, the issues of online privacy and data security are becoming more complex.
Particularly in tracking — monitoring users and their devices across different web servers — browser fingerprinting has emerged as an effective technique for creating detailed user profiles. Unlike the storage of information via cookies, which requires explicit user consent as mandated by the European General Data Protection Regulations GDPR guidelines, fingerprinting does not require such consent.
A browser fingerprint can be generated in the background without any obvious signs to the end user, leaving them unaware of whether and to what extent they are being tracked. It is possible to manipulate a device locally to alter its fingerprint. This is often not feasible for all users, unlike deleting cookies.
This invisible threat is not apparent to the general public and raises significant privacy concerns, as individuals can be tracked unnoticed. These profiles can contain private information, depending on the server operators, including age group, ethnic origin, social circles, and interests of the affected person. Browser fingerprinting poses a threat to the privacy of the general public. Contrary to being a threat, it is an opportunity to provide valuable information to enhance the authentication mechanisms.
