Question Can we talk about online privacy and anonymity again?

[Kongo]

Thanks for making me try harder. It turns out that even my ESR default config (Enhanced Tracking Protection on) in private windows works against this if I change the IP via the VPN. It doesn't work if I’m not using a private windows and doesn’t work if I don't change the IP. I guess Tor's implementations at work!

It's mainly due to the fact that the website checks your IP and compares it with VPN blacklists. So most IPs from VPNs are on a blacklist as they are handed to multiple users who can do questionable things with it. It's hard to find a VPN with a clean IP that isn't already on a blacklist. And then, if you don't use a VPN, the site has your real IP. So not sure if that's a better result for the test.
Some VPNs offer an IP rotation feature that changes your IP regularly. But then again, from my experience the site still detects that you are using a VPN and maybe even which VPN provider. Didn't find a good overall solution yet.

 

[Wrecker4923]

Some VPNs offer an IP rotation feature that changes your IP regularly. But then again, from my experience the site still detects that you are using a VPN and maybe even which VPN provider. Didn't find a good overall solution yet.

For free VPNs, some may switch the server/IP based on load per connection (like Proton). I’m sure that to achieve maximum privacy, Tor is the best solution, though there are still limitations.

Mozilla still trying to incorporate these privacy features into the mainstream (default configuration) is a win, because probably not every website uses sophisticated fingerprinting technologies.

So not sure if that's a better result for the test.

It seems that this algorithmic fingerprinting is a way to easily identify recurrent browsing on the site, so just getting different fingerprints (private windows, per IP) seems like a better situation already. I’m happy with the gain.

 

[bazang]

Agents are in our data even when we use VMs within VMs and then use a VPN via Tor using fake personas.

It's long since been too little, too late.

Privacy is not a topic today even worthy of discussion as there is none and that fact can never be rolled back to earlier times by any means.

Only criminals and thieves care about anonymity and privacy.

 

[LinuxFan58]

When advertising networks offer tracking accross devices while honoring EU privacy laws I think anonimity is a lost cause.

Privacy in terms of relating internet traffic to sensitive personal information is regulated by law. When you decide to buy something after looking around or signup you have to agree with the privacy policy and the privacy policies only relate to storing your sensitive data in a safe and secure way).

There is a gap in what the internet idealist consider privacy and anonimity and what is protected by law.

Measured by the amount of SPAM most people receive there is also a possible gap in how those laws are interpreted and intended.

Tracking accross devices is just correlating data based on interest (searches/category browsing) related to IP origin.

How many people from a postal code (IP origin is often more granular) are searching for sneakers of size X at the same time. When you are also looking for shirts size Y and pants size Z the profile becomes clearer and clearer. Combine it with some device related data (Apple users are brand loyal, Window users often have Android tablets/phones) and online peak frequencies timing and you are nearly unique (no need for advanced device fingerprinting techniques, although internet speed and screen display sizes are also a reliable steady state identifier).

 

[piquiteco]

https://fingerprint.com/demo/

It doesn't even open in my browsers and is already blocked by NextDNS. Since I use very restrictive settings, this was to be expected. But YouTube, Amazon Prime, and Netflix are working, and that's fine with me. I'm only using uBlock Origin EDGE/Vivaldi/FF and Adguard Chrome.

Spoiler: Blocked NextDNS

 

[monkeylove]

It doesn't even open in my browsers and is already blocked by NextDNS. Since I use very restrictive settings, this was to be expected. But YouTube, Amazon Prime, and Netflix are working, and that's fine with me. I'm only using uBlock Origin EDGE/Vivaldi/FF and Adguard Chrome.

Spoiler: Blocked NextDNS

View attachment 294008

I think they sell the tech, which means it should work even if fingerprint.com is blocked.

 

[Parkinsond]

Given "eyes nations",

https://fingerprint.com/demo/

and the point that anti-fingerprinting features, etc., might entail monthly charges and/or browsing slowdown, etc., that I need to give info in some sites to buy or pay for things or do business, that hardening the system might cause it not to function properly, and that several apps I need and want don't run or run well in other systems, I decided to use the ff. for Win 11 Pro:

Hellzerg and Sparkle Optimizers

Adguard (got the cheap lifetime sub deal), and if it doesn't work in some cases, disable it and enable uBlock Origin in the browser

Firefox with multi-account containers

DNSJumper to switch to whatever free DNS is fast, with Cloudlfare Warp used for some sites that don't load (a problem with the local ISP).

It shows I'm using "incognito", while I'm not.

 

[Kongo]

It shows I'm using "incognito", while I'm not.
View attachment 294012

No offence but I think you shouldn't need to care about fingerprint.com when you are using Yandex Browser...

 

[Parkinsond]

No offence but I think you shouldn't need to care about fingerprint.com when you are using Yandex Browser...

I do not care about privacy, only security; do not touch my credentials and do whatever you want with my browsing habits for tailored ads.
This may indicate this website is not that accurate.

 

[monkeylove]

I focus on usability. Hence, multi-account containers.