The browser fingerprint script of the internet is a lot like the way that people are uniquely identifiable in a crowd, thanks to their defining attributes. Your unique browser fingerprint is just that: a set of attributes that, when combined, make you identifiable as one out of millions of users.
When you visit a website, bits of information are sent to the server as part of your request, including your IP address and your browser properties. This is a necessary step in establishing a secure connection to the site. These bits of data may seem insignificant individually, but together they form a digital jigsaw that gives the website a picture of your device and software configuration. The fingerprinting scripts that collect these details work silently and without your knowledge and consent.
Code Chronicles: Understanding the Functionality and Implications of Browser Fingerprint Scripts
Using browser fingerprinting, a website can identify your operating system, screen resolution, plugins, use of ad blockers, fonts, and other details about the hardware and software on your device. This makes it possible for websites to identify and track you over long periods of time, even when your operating system, plugins, or other settings change.
Canvas fingerprinting is a popular method for gathering this data, as it uses the drawing operations of HTML5 to secretly gather information about your device. Other methods include WebGL fingerprinting, which works in a similar way but creates 3D images and uses JavaScript to hash the data; and AudioContext fingerprinting, which tests how your device plays sound and reveals information about your audio hardware and software.