New Update JShelter - JavaScript Restrictor

Add-on/Extension Page
https://jshelter.org/

n8chavez

Level 16
Well-known
Feb 26, 2021
785
New version 0.7 released with a new UI (still potential for improvement) and easier understandable descriptions for each setting.

1.
View attachment 264638

2.
View attachment 264639

3.
View attachment 264640

Even tho there were quite a few different opinions about the best way of protecting yourself from fingerprinting it would be much appreaciated if @Sunkar could give us any other updates worth mentioning. :)

Now that there have been a few updates to JShelter, and more options added since, would you mind sharing your updated settings?
 
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Kongo

Level 35
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Well-known
Feb 25, 2017
2,478
Now that there have been a few updates to JShelter, and more options added since, would you mind sharing your updated settings?
I am not using the extension anymore. There are quite a few of people who are still using it on Wilders. I personally don't want to waste much more time on trying to protect myself from fingerprinting. I use the built in mechanisms of Firefox and nothing more.
 

n8chavez

Level 16
Well-known
Feb 26, 2021
785
The things is, privacy.resistFingerprinting, is great. Librewolf in general is awesome. But, that config alters my timezone.
 
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eonline

Level 21
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Well-known
Nov 15, 2017
1,064
Screenshot_1.png

with noscript off

Screenshot_2.pngScreenshot_3.png
 
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n8chavez

Level 16
Well-known
Feb 26, 2021
785
It could just be me, but JShelter doesn't seem to prevent canvas fingerprinting for me anymore at browserleaks.com. It used to, but doesn't now. Can anyone confirm?

Update - Interestingly enough, JShelter works in a new profile. With my current one it seems JShelter is not working at all. But I can't understand why, and there's no indication.
 
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oldschool

Level 81
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Well-known
Mar 29, 2018
7,043
Here's the JShelter repository Overview - JShelter/webextension - Pagure.io for anyone wishing to track JShelter's development.
Here are replies to Issue #194

JShelter is still in development. We recently secured additional funds to continue development. There is a live talk going right now at libreplanet.org/2023 if you want to hear about the project.
Additionally, we have a mailing list js-shield Archives and development branches in the current pagure repository Overview - JShelter/webextension - Pagure.io. A new version is likely soon.
(y) (y)
 

oldschool

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Mar 29, 2018
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JShelter seems to be effective, but I've some doubt about the importance if I view next statement on the site WhoTracks.me | Trackers (hosted by Ghostery).
Indeed, any competent ad blocker will do, especially µBO medium mode:
Using medium mode will significantly improve your browser performance, and similarly significantly reduce your privacy exposure compared to easy mode.
I will say that JShelter works pretty seamlessly using Recommended level, which they advise as the preferred mode based on their research. I'm really testing the user experience more than feeling the need for it.
 

oldschool

Level 81
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Mar 29, 2018
7,043
Current version is 0.12.1 released last week. No change log, but development continues regularly.
#110 A switch to Manifest v3
Opened 12 days ago by polcak. Modified 12 days ago
Summary
We are in the process of migration to MV3. This issue will contain URLs ro resources that we will need during the migration. Please edit this post as wiki.

General

Chromium
Firefox

Current JShelter status
Giorgio works on NSCL support and observes W3C development. Libor investigates MV3 in general.
Issue #110: A switch to Manifest v3 - webextension - Pagure.io
 
F

ForgottenSeer 97327

Just a quick note, my WARN with low CPU impact settings still warn you when you visit: Fingerprint Pro - Formerly FingerprintJS - Device fingerprinting API
When revisiting Fingerprint Pro in the same session (meaning you did not close your browser. The good news is that JShelter still warns
1685263051147.png
"

When you close the browser and re-visit Fingerprint PRO website, the great news is that JShelter still protects your privacy.
I was surprised that the lower CPU impact WARN settings still protect (y)(y)(y)
1685263898483.png

Explanation on why "warn with low impact settings (and reduced protection)" still protects on this latest (99,5% succes rate) fingerprintig demo.
I have lowered the protection settings of JShelter which cost relatively more CPU time to protect you. Because privacy is a lost case ("We are the borg resistance is futile you will be assimilated by fingerprinting" :) ) JShelter (even with the most strict settings) won't protect you against the 'BOOH I am tracking you" proof of concept FUD websites .

But there is a downside on using all possible fingerprinting techniques available. Your website will become less responsive which will cost your Google page relevance rating (heavy websites will be placed lower in search results). A fingerprinting feature which lowers your Google rating is simply commercially not viable. This is why only 0.2 percent of the websites use these fingerprinting techniques (according to "who tracks me" ). Still some commercial websites use fingerprint tracking (like ikea.com uses and a Dutch news website RTL nieuws).

The cost of fingerprinting is probably the reason why my lowered JShelter protection settings protect against Fingerprint PRO across browser sessions (with a claimed 99,5% successrate). This new services probably is so efficient, it won't lower your page ranking. Fingerprint PRO is efficient because it does recognise returning visits during the same browsing session even with JShelter installed (with my settings). On the other hand this "warn, but don't protect" during same browsing session, actually is a compatibility advantage, because it won't break websites using this fingerprinting feature when you have JShelter installed. :cool:;) (y)

1685275195141.png

Thanks @Jan Willy for pointing me to FingerPrint Pro website and @oldschool for attending me on JShelter: I am going to add it to my protection. I had played with JShelter, but had de-installed JShelter, because (as Jan Willy posted) not many websites used it. This new service with its high accuracy rate and Google pushing towards a cookie free world will probably increase the prevalence of these type of new and advanced fingerprinting services (credits @plat posting this).
 
Last edited by a moderator:
F

ForgottenSeer 97327

EDIT: found a better way to use JShelter (because not many websites use fingerprinting): perform an ad-hoc check when you visit a website, using Chromium browsers option to run an extension on demand (run it for a specific website for this session only by clicking on it).
1685354308568.png
 

Kongo

Level 35
Verified
Top Poster
Well-known
Feb 25, 2017
2,478
New JShelter update (v. 0.12.2)

Patchnotes:
* Reimplement AudioBuffer.prototype.copyFromChannel to prevent multiple farbling of the same data
* Optimize performance of Canvas and Audio wrappers
* NSCL updated: JShelter benefits from the mechanism to prevent inconsistencies / breakages when the extension gets updated and therefore the old wrappers are invalidated by Firefox which nukes their sandbox and new ones are installed on extension's automatic restart
 

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