What is a browser fingerprint?
A browser fingerprint is a combination of dozens of small details your browser exposes - screen size, fonts, timezone, graphics card and more. Together they are often unique enough to recognize you without any cookies.
How fingerprinting works
Each detail your browser shares is harmless alone. Combined, they form a near-unique signature. Studies have found the large majority of browsers are uniquely identifiable this way.
Because it needs no cookies, fingerprinting survives clearing your history and using private mode.
What goes into your fingerprint
Common inputs include your user-agent, language, screen resolution and pixel ratio, timezone, CPU cores, and how your device renders graphics and audio.
How to reduce your fingerprint
Privacy-focused browsers reduce the signals they expose. A VPN changes your IP and location, which removes two of the strongest identifying inputs.
FAQ
Can I be tracked even with cookies disabled?
Yes. Fingerprinting does not rely on cookies, which is exactly why it is so effective.
Does a VPN stop fingerprinting?
It removes the IP and location component, but not every signal. Combine a VPN with a privacy browser for the best result.