Device fingerprint: Difference between revisions

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A '''[[wikipedia:Device fingerprint|device fingerprint]]''' is a string of data that maps and compiles details of a particular device or user, such as the operating system and browser information. Unlike an IP address, which is a singular piece of data that users can manipulate for privacy and security (such as using a VPN service or resetting network connection), a device fingerprint holds a series of specified data that can be uniquely attributed to a device or user (or a group thereof), and are therefore much harder to protect from tracking and abuse of privacy.

~~In computer science,~~ '''~~fingerprinting~~''' ~~is a procedure that maps an arbitrarily large data item (such as a computer file) to a much shorter bit string, its~~ '''''~~fingerprint~~''''', that uniquely identifies the original data for all practical purposes just as human fingerprints uniquely entify people for practical purposes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What is fingerprinting in Computer Science? |url=https://tolumichael.com/what-is-fingerprinting-in-cybersecurity/ |access-date=30 August 2025}}</ref>

Common data that may be included in a device fingerprint include:

*'''Device model and hardware'''

*'''Web browser'''

*'''Screen resolution'''

*'''Font type and size'''

*'''Plugins'''

*'''Browser extensions'''

*and many more

==How it works==

Fingerprinting works by getting a data ~~item~~ and turning it into a much shorter bit string that uniquely identifies itself. This includes the operating system, device model, screen resolution and more.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How does device fingerprinting work? |url=https://www.crossclassify.com/resources/articles/how-does-fingerprinting-work/ |access-date=31 August 2025 |website=crossclasiffy.com}}</ref>

Fingerprinting works by getting one or more data items and turning them into a much shorter bit string that uniquely identifies itself (typically by applying a [[wikipedia:Hash_function|hash-function]]). This includes the operating system, device model, screen resolution, installed fonts, graphic-rendering, and more.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How does device fingerprinting work? |url=https://www.crossclassify.com/resources/articles/how-does-fingerprinting-work/ |access-date=31 August 2025 |website=crossclasiffy.com}}</ref>

Even the '''lack of data can be used to build a fingerprint''', as certain data is unlikely to be missing. This is the case when a "power user" changes many default settings, or clears fields that aren't necessary. Unfortunately, this helps narrow-down the identifier, creating a unique fingerprint.

==Why it is a problem==

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==Examples==

Some examples of fingerprinting include some types of cookies,

==Remedies==

Device fingerprinting is notoriously difficult to avoid. IP addresses can be masked, hidden, or modified, while cookies can be blocked, cleared, and avoided. Device fingerprints, however, are a compilation of basic data points that computers and browsers use to communicate with web pages. The only notable remedy is using privacy-focused browsers such as Mullvad and Brave which randomize certain data points to hide unique attributes.

==References==

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-{{StubNotice}}
+{{StubNotice}}{{ToneWarning}}
+A '''[[wikipedia:Device fingerprint|device fingerprint]]''' is a string of data that maps and compiles details of a particular device or user, such as the operating system and browser information. Unlike an IP address, which is a singular piece of data that users can manipulate for privacy and security (such as using a VPN service or resetting network connection), a device fingerprint holds a series of specified data that can be uniquely attributed to a device or user (or a group thereof), and are therefore much harder to protect from tracking and abuse of privacy.
-In computer science, '''fingerprinting''' is a procedure that maps an arbitrarily large data item (such as a computer file) to a much shorter bit string, its '''''fingerprint''''', that uniquely identifies the original data for all practical purposes just as human fingerprints uniquely entify people for practical purposes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What is fingerprinting in Computer Science? |url=https://tolumichael.com/what-is-fingerprinting-in-cybersecurity/ |access-date=30 August 2025}}</ref>
+Common data that may be included in a device fingerprint include:
+*'''Device model and hardware'''
+*'''Web browser'''
+*'''Screen resolution'''
+*'''Font type and size'''
+*'''Plugins'''
+*'''Browser extensions'''
+*and many more
 ==How it works==
-<!-- Can someone knowledgable enough please check this? -->Fingerprinting works by getting a data item and turning it into a much shorter bit string that uniquely identifies itself. This includes the operating system, device model, screen resolution and more.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How does device fingerprinting work? |url=https://www.crossclassify.com/resources/articles/how-does-fingerprinting-work/ |access-date=31 August 2025 |website=crossclasiffy.com}}</ref>
+<!-- Can someone knowledgable enough please check this? -->Fingerprinting works by getting one or more data items and turning them into a much shorter bit string that uniquely identifies itself (typically by applying a [[wikipedia:Hash_function|hash-function]]). This includes the operating system, device model, screen resolution, installed fonts, graphic-rendering, and more.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How does device fingerprinting work? |url=https://www.crossclassify.com/resources/articles/how-does-fingerprinting-work/ |access-date=31 August 2025 |website=crossclasiffy.com}}</ref>
+Even the '''lack of data can be used to build a fingerprint''', as certain data is unlikely to be missing. This is the case when a "power user" changes many default settings, or clears fields that aren't necessary. Unfortunately, this helps narrow-down the identifier, creating a unique fingerprint.
 ==Why it is a problem==
@@ Line 11: / Line 22: @@
 ==Examples==
 Some examples of fingerprinting include some types of cookies,
+==Remedies==
+Device fingerprinting is notoriously difficult to avoid. IP addresses  can be masked, hidden, or modified, while cookies can be blocked, cleared, and avoided. Device fingerprints, however, are a compilation of basic data points that computers and browsers use to communicate with web pages. The only notable remedy is using privacy-focused browsers such as Mullvad and Brave which randomize certain data points to hide unique attributes.
 ==References==