Have you heard that your browser is killing your privacy? Unfortunately, it’s true: your browser knows everything about you. Moreover, your browser has a unique fingerprint that can be used to identify you online – and that’s how you can find out how unique you are.
How to find out how identifiable your browser is
Browser fingerprinting is the process of collecting data to identify you online. Your browser’s characteristics are compiled to create a unique identifier using data such as your operating system, screen resolution, browser type and extensions, installed languages, fonts and more.
Each browser has a level of uniqueness, which is where Am I Unique comes in handy. This handy browser fingerprint detection website quickly tells you how unique your browser is and gives you a score. All you have to do is press See My Fingerprint and let Am I Unique check your browser configuration.
So, for the version of Chrome I’m currently using, I’m completely unique among the nearly three million samples in Am I Unique.
Which is not good. Extensions, fonts, user agent settings, JavaScript controls, and more are used to create unique profiles; my browser has many unique configurations that make it recognizable.
My browser is unique: what to do next
In short, you want to be the most common browser possible. Any custom settings should be removed or minimized, and using the most common settings available should be the goal.
For example, if you use a slightly different browser resolution size, that’s an immediate unique characteristic. Similarly, using additional languages alongside English or even using the wrong type of content language can make you look different. The Am I Unique fingerprinting check revealed that somewhere along the way, I’d accepted Spanish as the primary language in the HTTP headers sent to each site. It suddenly became clear why some websites for me exist in Spanish!
But even small details like your last visited site count against you. For example, I visited Am I Unique after using the task management tool Asana. Although millions of people use Asana every day, moving from Asana to Am I Unique was a brand new feature, and therefore, it counted against my browser fingerprinting score.
You can also use browser extensions to block browser fingerprinting or replace your browser altogether.
Browser fingerprinting is a hassle, yet another privacy issue you have to deal with. But thankfully, there are some easy ways to enhance your privacy and include yourself in the browser crowd.