A Practical Test: Can 4 Popular Browsers' Privacy Settings Actually Hide Fingerprint Data?

With the increasing awareness of online privacy, more and more users are paying attention to the privacy protection capabilities of browsers, especially how to hide or reduce browser fingerprint information.

Browser fingerprinting, as a tracking technology, can collect detailed information about a user's device, enabling cross-site behavior tracking.

This article will reveal the performance of four popular browsers in hiding browser fingerprints, based on hands-on tests of their privacy settings and results from the professional tool ToDetect.

1. What is a Browser Fingerprint and Why Hide It?

A browser fingerprint is a unique identifier composed of a set of information provided by the browser, including operating system type, browser version, screen resolution, font list, Canvas and WebRTC rendering data, plugin information, and more. Combined, this information can often distinguish a user's device.

Hiding or obfuscating browser fingerprints is mainly to prevent advertisers, platforms, or even hackers from identifying users through fingerprints, tracking their behavior, and protecting privacy.

2. Browser and Privacy Settings Selection

The four popular browsers tested this time are:

•  Google Chrome

•  Mozilla Firefox

•  Microsoft Edge

•  Safari

For each browser, we tested with privacy protection settings turned on and off, such as:

•  Private/incognito mode

•  Tracking protection features (e.g., Firefox's Enhanced Tracking Protection)

•  Blocking third-party cookies

•  Canvas fingerprint protection (Firefox-specific)

•  Other privacy-enhancing add-ons and settings

3. Browser Fingerprint Hiding Test Results

1. Google Chrome

Privacy Settings:

Chrome offers Incognito mode and allows users to block third-party cookies, but lacks a native mechanism to protect against browser fingerprinting.

ToDetect Test Results:

In Incognito mode, Chrome's basic fingerprint information remains fully exposed. Canvas and WebGL fingerprints show almost no change. ToDetect's uniqueness score remains high, indicating that the device is still easily identifiable.

Analysis:

Chrome's privacy mode mainly isolates browsing history and cookies and does not effectively hide fingerprints. Users need third-party extensions to partially mask fingerprints.

2. Mozilla Firefox

Privacy Settings:

Firefox offers relatively strong privacy protection, providing "Enhanced Tracking Protection" and unique Canvas fingerprint protection. It also supports the experimental "Anti-Fingerprinting" feature.

ToDetect Test Results:

After enabling Enhanced Tracking Protection and Anti-Fingerprinting, ToDetect's Canvas test shows changes to the Canvas fingerprint. WebGL fingerprints are still partially exposed, but overall fingerprint complexity and stability are reduced.

Analysis:

Firefox's privacy measures effectively reduce fingerprint uniqueness and are one of the better choices among mainstream browsers. However, some fingerprint information remains, so full concealment still requires additional measures.

3. Microsoft Edge

Privacy Settings:

Edge, based on the Chromium engine, provides similar Incognito and tracking protection features as Chrome, with additional tracking prevention levels.

ToDetect Test Results:

In Incognito mode, fingerprint information is similar to Chrome. Canvas and WebGL are not effectively protected. The tracking prevention feature has no significant effect on fingerprint hiding.

Analysis:

Edge's privacy settings mainly target cookies and ad tracking, lacking dedicated fingerprint protection. The privacy protection effect is limited.

4. Safari

Privacy Settings:

Safari implements Intelligent Tracking Prevention (ITP), restricts third-party cookies, and includes some fingerprint randomization measures.

ToDetect Test Results:

In ToDetect tests, Safari shows changes to Canvas and WebGL fingerprints, indicating effective fingerprint obfuscation.

Analysis:

Safari's privacy protections have a notable effect on interfering with browser fingerprints, making it one of the more privacy-friendly browsers. However, limitations remain in cross-platform and multi-device scenarios.

4. Comparison of Fingerprint Hiding Settings in Mainstream Browsers

Conclusion

Mainstream browsers' privacy modes and tracking protection features can reduce fingerprint uniqueness to some extent, but most cannot fully hide fingerprint information.

Using the ToDetect browser fingerprint tool helps users accurately check the effectiveness of their privacy settings and adjust protection strategies in a timely manner.

For higher privacy requirements, it is recommended to combine privacy-focused browsers, configure professional anti-fingerprinting add-ons, and use ToDetect regularly to ensure personal privacy and network security.