2026-02-16 4 min read
What Is a Browser Fingerprint and How Does It Work?
Learn how websites identify and track your device across the internet using browser fingerprinting techniques, even when you delete your cookies.
Browser fingerprinting is a powerful method that websites use to collect information about your device and browser. By compiling data points like your screen resolution...
Why Do Websites Fingerprint You?
Unlike cookies, which store a unique identifier directly on your device, fingerprinting is completely stateless...
- Security and Fraud Prevention: Banks and crypto exchanges use fingerprinting to detect suspicious logins.
- Targeted Advertising: Advertisers use fingerprinting to track your browsing habits across different websites.
- Analytics: Website owners use fingerprinting to understand their audience.
How Can You Protect Yourself?
- Use a Privacy-Focused Browser: Browsers like Brave or Firefox have built-in protections.
- Disable or Limit JavaScript: Many fingerprinting techniques rely on JavaScript.
- Use Anti-Fingerprinting Extensions: Extensions like Privacy Badger or uBlock Origin.