Device fingerprint - Revision history

Dosjdhdjdjdhdjdjdj: Links to a fingerprinting test tool from eff

2026-02-26T04:16:33Z

Links to a fingerprinting test tool from eff

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:16, 26 February 2026
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	==Remedies==		==Remedies==
	Device fingerprinting is difficult to avoid due to the aforementioned data points available. Notable remedies include using privacy-focused browsers such as Mullvad, Brave, or the Tor browser which either randomizes certain data points to hide unique attributes or modifies identifiers to make all users appear to be the same in an effort to reduce the uniqueness of the system (AKA [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Device_fingerprint&oldid=1330865841#Offering_a_spoofed_fingerprint spoofing]). <ref>{{Cite web \|title=Anti-fingerprinting \|url=https://tb-manual.torproject.org/anti-fingerprinting/ \|website=tb-manual.torproject.org \|url-status=live \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251029015145/https://tb-manual.torproject.org/anti-fingerprinting/ \|archive-date=29 Oct 2025}}</ref>		Device fingerprinting is difficult to avoid due to the aforementioned data points available. Notable remedies include using privacy-focused browsers such as Mullvad, Brave, or the Tor browser which either randomizes certain data points to hide unique attributes or modifies identifiers to make all users appear to be the same in an effort to reduce the uniqueness of the system (AKA [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Device_fingerprint&oldid=1330865841#Offering_a_spoofed_fingerprint spoofing]). <ref>{{Cite web \|title=Anti-fingerprinting \|url=https://tb-manual.torproject.org/anti-fingerprinting/ \|website=tb-manual.torproject.org \|url-status=live \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251029015145/https://tb-manual.torproject.org/anti-fingerprinting/ \|archive-date=29 Oct 2025}}</ref>

			For those looking to test browser protection against web fingerprinting, the [[wikipedia:Electronic_Frontier_Foundation\|Electronic Frontier Foundation]] has a tool called [https://coveryourtracks.eff.org/ Cover Your Tracks] to display unique hardware and software fingerprints.

	==References==		==References==

Banana: Added archive URLs for 3 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

2026-02-16T04:02:35Z

Added archive URLs for 3 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:02, 16 February 2026
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	==How it works==		==How it works==
	<!-- Can someone knowledgable enough please check this? -->Fingerprinting works by getting one or more data items and turning them into a much shorter bit string that uniquely identifies itself (typically by applying a [[wikipedia:Hash_function\|hash-function]]). Such data points include device hardware, web browser, browser plugins and configuration, screen resolution, installed fonts, and many other methods.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=How does device fingerprinting work? \|url=https://www.crossclassify.com/resources/articles/how-does-fingerprinting-work/ \|access-date=31 August 2025 \|website=crossclasiffy.com}}</ref> Even the '''lack of data can be used to build a fingerprint''', as certain data is unlikely to be missing.		<!-- Can someone knowledgable enough please check this? -->Fingerprinting works by getting one or more data items and turning them into a much shorter bit string that uniquely identifies itself (typically by applying a [[wikipedia:Hash_function\|hash-function]]). Such data points include device hardware, web browser, browser plugins and configuration, screen resolution, installed fonts, and many other methods.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=How does device fingerprinting work? \|url=https://www.crossclassify.com/resources/articles/how-does-fingerprinting-work/ \|access-date=31 August 2025 \|website=crossclasiffy.com \|url-status=live \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250907041725/https://www.crossclassify.com/resources/articles/how-does-fingerprinting-work/ \|archive-date=7 Sep 2025}}</ref> Even the '''lack of data can be used to build a fingerprint''', as certain data is unlikely to be missing.

	Because of the many different variables used to generate a fingerprint, adding extensions and changing settings intending to increase privacy may have the opposite effect.		Because of the many different variables used to generate a fingerprint, adding extensions and changing settings intending to increase privacy may have the opposite effect.

	==Why it is a problem==		==Why it is a problem==
	While there are some benefits from a security perspective (e.g. trusted-device recognition and fraud prevention), fingerprinting allows websites to identify individuals even while masking their IP address, flagging privacy concerns and letting companies do things like targeted advertising, selling personal data and more. It also allows another avenue for tracking across websites as services implemented on many different sites on the web will be able to follow device browsing from one website to another. <ref>{{Cite web \|title=Browser Fingerprinting: What It Is and How to Block It \|url=https://techreviewadvisor.com/browser-fingerprinting/ \|access-date=10 October 2025 \|website=techreviewadvisor.com}}</ref>		While there are some benefits from a security perspective (e.g. trusted-device recognition and fraud prevention), fingerprinting allows websites to identify individuals even while masking their IP address, flagging privacy concerns and letting companies do things like targeted advertising, selling personal data and more. It also allows another avenue for tracking across websites as services implemented on many different sites on the web will be able to follow device browsing from one website to another. <ref>{{Cite web \|title=Browser Fingerprinting: What It Is and How to Block It \|url=https://techreviewadvisor.com/browser-fingerprinting/ \|access-date=10 October 2025 \|website=techreviewadvisor.com \|url-status=live \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251121085958/https://techreviewadvisor.com/browser-fingerprinting/ \|archive-date=21 Nov 2025}}</ref>

	==Remedies==		==Remedies==
	Device fingerprinting is difficult to avoid due to the aforementioned data points available. Notable remedies include using privacy-focused browsers such as Mullvad, Brave, or the Tor browser which either randomizes certain data points to hide unique attributes or modifies identifiers to make all users appear to be the same in an effort to reduce the uniqueness of the system (AKA [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Device_fingerprint&oldid=1330865841#Offering_a_spoofed_fingerprint spoofing]). <ref>{{Cite web \|title=Anti-fingerprinting \|url=https://tb-manual.torproject.org/anti-fingerprinting/ \|website=tb-manual.torproject.org}}</ref>		Device fingerprinting is difficult to avoid due to the aforementioned data points available. Notable remedies include using privacy-focused browsers such as Mullvad, Brave, or the Tor browser which either randomizes certain data points to hide unique attributes or modifies identifiers to make all users appear to be the same in an effort to reduce the uniqueness of the system (AKA [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Device_fingerprint&oldid=1330865841#Offering_a_spoofed_fingerprint spoofing]). <ref>{{Cite web \|title=Anti-fingerprinting \|url=https://tb-manual.torproject.org/anti-fingerprinting/ \|website=tb-manual.torproject.org \|url-status=live \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251029015145/https://tb-manual.torproject.org/anti-fingerprinting/ \|archive-date=29 Oct 2025}}</ref>

	==References==		==References==

Rudxain: mention spoofing

2026-01-17T17:39:20Z

mention spoofing

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:39, 17 January 2026
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	==Remedies==		==Remedies==
	Device fingerprinting is difficult to avoid due to the aforementioned data points available. Notable remedies include using privacy-focused browsers such as Mullvad, Brave, or the Tor browser which either randomizes certain data points to hide unique attributes or modifies identifiers to make all users appear to be the same in an effort to reduce the uniqueness of the system. <ref>{{Cite web \|title=Anti-fingerprinting \|url=https://tb-manual.torproject.org/anti-fingerprinting/ \|website=tb-manual.torproject.org}}</ref>		Device fingerprinting is difficult to avoid due to the aforementioned data points available. Notable remedies include using privacy-focused browsers such as Mullvad, Brave, or the Tor browser which either randomizes certain data points to hide unique attributes or modifies identifiers to make all users appear to be the same in an effort to reduce the uniqueness of the system (AKA [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Device_fingerprint&oldid=1330865841#Offering_a_spoofed_fingerprint spoofing]). <ref>{{Cite web \|title=Anti-fingerprinting \|url=https://tb-manual.torproject.org/anti-fingerprinting/ \|website=tb-manual.torproject.org}}</ref>

	==References==		==References==

Raster: some tone/wording changes. tone ok imo but still stub

2025-10-19T17:28:31Z

some tone/wording changes. tone ok imo but still stub

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:28, 19 October 2025
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	{{StubNotice}}{{ToneWarning}}		{{StubNotice}}{{ToneWarning}}
	A '''[[wikipedia:Device fingerprint\|device fingerprint]]''' is a collection of information about a device's hardware and configuration. Unlike an IP address, which is a singular piece of data that users can manipulate for privacy and security (such as using a VPN service or resetting network ~~connection~~), a device fingerprint holds a series of specified data that can be uniquely attributed to a device or user (or a group thereof), and are therefore much harder to protect from tracking and abuse of privacy.		A '''[[wikipedia:Device fingerprint\|device fingerprint]]''' is a collection of information about a device's hardware and configuration. Unlike an IP address, which is a singular piece of data that users can manipulate for privacy and security (such as using a VPN service or resetting network connections), a device fingerprint holds a series of specified data that can be uniquely attributed to a device or user (or a group thereof), and are therefore much harder to protect from tracking and abuse of privacy.

	==How it works==		==How it works==
	<!-- Can someone knowledgable enough please check this? -->Fingerprinting works by getting one or more data items and turning them into a much shorter bit string that uniquely identifies itself (typically by applying a [[wikipedia:Hash_function\|hash-function]]). Such data points include device hardware, web browser, browser plugins and configuration, screen resolution, installed fonts, and many other methods.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=How does device fingerprinting work? \|url=https://www.crossclassify.com/resources/articles/how-does-fingerprinting-work/ \|access-date=31 August 2025 \|website=crossclasiffy.com}}</ref> Even the '''lack of data can be used to build a fingerprint''', as certain data is unlikely to be missing.		<!-- Can someone knowledgable enough please check this? -->Fingerprinting works by getting one or more data items and turning them into a much shorter bit string that uniquely identifies itself (typically by applying a [[wikipedia:Hash_function\|hash-function]]). Such data points include device hardware, web browser, browser plugins and configuration, screen resolution, installed fonts, and many other methods.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=How does device fingerprinting work? \|url=https://www.crossclassify.com/resources/articles/how-does-fingerprinting-work/ \|access-date=31 August 2025 \|website=crossclasiffy.com}}</ref> Even the '''lack of data can be used to build a fingerprint''', as certain data is unlikely to be missing.

	Because of the many different variables used to generate a fingerprint by adding extensions and changing settings ~~it can~~ have the opposite ~~indented affect~~.		Because of the many different variables used to generate a fingerprint, adding extensions and changing settings intending to increase privacy may have the opposite effect.

	==Why it is a problem==		==Why it is a problem==
Line 11:		Line 11:

	==Remedies==		==Remedies==
	Device fingerprinting is ~~notoriously~~ difficult to avoid. ~~IP addresses can be masked, hidden, or modified, while cookies can be blocked, cleared, and avoided. The only notable~~ remedies ~~are~~ using privacy-focused browsers such as Mullvad, Brave, or the Tor browser which either randomizes certain data points to hide unique attributes or modifies identifiers to make all users appear to be the same in an effort to reduce the uniqueness of the system. <ref>{{Cite web \|title=Anti-fingerprinting \|url=https://tb-manual.torproject.org/anti-fingerprinting/ \|website=tb-manual.torproject.org}}</ref>		Device fingerprinting is difficult to avoid due to the aforementioned data points available. Notable remedies include using privacy-focused browsers such as Mullvad, Brave, or the Tor browser which either randomizes certain data points to hide unique attributes or modifies identifiers to make all users appear to be the same in an effort to reduce the uniqueness of the system. <ref>{{Cite web \|title=Anti-fingerprinting \|url=https://tb-manual.torproject.org/anti-fingerprinting/ \|website=tb-manual.torproject.org}}</ref>

	==References==		==References==

204.184.42.248: Removed multiple redundant explanations of fingerprinting definitions and uses. Expanded details. Changed tone. Added references.

2025-10-10T15:54:18Z

Removed multiple redundant explanations of fingerprinting definitions and uses. Expanded details. Changed tone. Added references.

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:54, 10 October 2025
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	{{StubNotice}}{{ToneWarning}}		{{StubNotice}}{{ToneWarning}}
	A '''[[wikipedia:Device fingerprint\|device fingerprint]]''' is a ~~string of data that maps and compiles details~~ of a ~~particular~~ device ~~or user, such as the operating system~~ and ~~browser information~~. Unlike an IP address, which is a singular piece of data that users can manipulate for privacy and security (such as using a VPN service or resetting network connection), a device fingerprint holds a series of specified data that can be uniquely attributed to a device or user (or a group thereof), and are therefore much harder to protect from tracking and abuse of privacy.		A '''[[wikipedia:Device fingerprint\|device fingerprint]]''' is a collection of information about a device's hardware and configuration. Unlike an IP address, which is a singular piece of data that users can manipulate for privacy and security (such as using a VPN service or resetting network connection), a device fingerprint holds a series of specified data that can be uniquely attributed to a device or user (or a group thereof), and are therefore much harder to protect from tracking and abuse of privacy.

	~~Common data that may be included in a device fingerprint include:~~

	*'''Device model and hardware'''
	*'''Web browser'''
	*'''Screen resolution'''
	*'''Font type and size'''
	*'''Plugins'''
	*'''Browser extensions'''
	*and many more

	==How it works==		==How it works==
	<!-- Can someone knowledgable enough please check this? -->Fingerprinting works by getting one or more data items and turning them into a much shorter bit string that uniquely identifies itself (typically by applying a [[wikipedia:Hash_function\|hash-function]]). ~~This includes the operating system~~, ~~device model~~, screen resolution, installed fonts~~, graphic-rendering~~, and ~~more~~.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=How does device fingerprinting work? \|url=https://www.crossclassify.com/resources/articles/how-does-fingerprinting-work/ \|access-date=31 August 2025 \|website=crossclasiffy.com}}</ref>		<!-- Can someone knowledgable enough please check this? -->Fingerprinting works by getting one or more data items and turning them into a much shorter bit string that uniquely identifies itself (typically by applying a [[wikipedia:Hash_function\|hash-function]]). Such data points include device hardware, web browser, browser plugins and configuration, screen resolution, installed fonts, and many other methods.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=How does device fingerprinting work? \|url=https://www.crossclassify.com/resources/articles/how-does-fingerprinting-work/ \|access-date=31 August 2025 \|website=crossclasiffy.com}}</ref> Even the '''lack of data can be used to build a fingerprint''', as certain data is unlikely to be missing.

	~~Even~~ the ~~'''lack of data can be~~ used to ~~build~~ a fingerprint~~''', as certain data is unlikely to be missing. This is the case when a "power user" changes many default~~ settings~~, or clears fields that aren't necessary. Unfortunately, this helps narrow-down~~ the ~~identifier, creating a unique fingerprint~~.		Because of the many different variables used to generate a fingerprint by adding extensions and changing settings it can have the opposite indented affect.

	==Why it is a problem==		==Why it is a problem==
	~~Fingerprinting can be used~~ to identify individuals, flagging privacy concerns and letting companies do things like targeted advertising, selling personal data and more.		While there are some benefits from a security perspective (e.g. trusted-device recognition and fraud prevention), fingerprinting allows websites to identify individuals even while masking their IP address, flagging privacy concerns and letting companies do things like targeted advertising, selling personal data and more. It also allows another avenue for tracking across websites as services implemented on many different sites on the web will be able to follow device browsing from one website to another. <ref>{{Cite web \|title=Browser Fingerprinting: What It Is and How to Block It \|url=https://techreviewadvisor.com/browser-fingerprinting/ \|access-date=10 October 2025 \|website=techreviewadvisor.com}}</ref>

	==~~Examples~~==
	~~Some examples of fingerprinting include some types of cookies,~~

	==Remedies==		==Remedies==
	Device fingerprinting is notoriously difficult to avoid. IP addresses can be masked, hidden, or modified, while cookies can be blocked, cleared, and avoided~~. Device fingerprints, however, are a compilation of basic data points that computers and browsers use to communicate with web pages~~. The only notable ~~remedy is~~ using privacy-focused browsers such as Mullvad ~~and~~ Brave which ~~randomize~~ certain data points to hide unique attributes.		Device fingerprinting is notoriously difficult to avoid. IP addresses can be masked, hidden, or modified, while cookies can be blocked, cleared, and avoided. The only notable remedies are using privacy-focused browsers such as Mullvad, Brave, or the Tor browser which either randomizes certain data points to hide unique attributes or modifies identifiers to make all users appear to be the same in an effort to reduce the uniqueness of the system. <ref>{{Cite web \|title=Anti-fingerprinting \|url=https://tb-manual.torproject.org/anti-fingerprinting/ \|website=tb-manual.torproject.org}}</ref>

	==References==		==References==

AnotherConsumerRightsPerson: AnotherConsumerRightsPerson moved page Device Fingerprint to Device fingerprint: Misspelled title: Not in sentence case

2025-10-04T13:25:40Z

AnotherConsumerRightsPerson moved page Device Fingerprint to Device fingerprint: Misspelled title: Not in sentence case

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:25, 4 October 2025
(No difference)

AnotherConsumerRightsPerson: +wikipedia link

2025-10-04T13:25:09Z

+wikipedia link

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:25, 4 October 2025
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	{{StubNotice}}{{ToneWarning}}		{{StubNotice}}{{ToneWarning}}
	A '''device fingerprint''' is a string of data that maps and compiles details of a particular device or user, such as the operating system and browser information. Unlike an IP address, which is a singular piece of data that users can manipulate for privacy and security (such as using a VPN service or resetting network connection), a device fingerprint holds a series of specified data that can be uniquely attributed to a device or user (or a group thereof), and are therefore much harder to protect from tracking and abuse of privacy.		A '''[[wikipedia:Device fingerprint\|device fingerprint]]''' is a string of data that maps and compiles details of a particular device or user, such as the operating system and browser information. Unlike an IP address, which is a singular piece of data that users can manipulate for privacy and security (such as using a VPN service or resetting network connection), a device fingerprint holds a series of specified data that can be uniquely attributed to a device or user (or a group thereof), and are therefore much harder to protect from tracking and abuse of privacy.

	Common data that may be included in a device fingerprint include:		Common data that may be included in a device fingerprint include:

Rudxain: lack of data increases fingerprint narrowing

2025-09-17T02:36:25Z

lack of data increases fingerprint narrowing

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:36, 17 September 2025
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	{{StubNotice}}{{ToneWarning}}		{{StubNotice}}{{ToneWarning}}
	A '''device fingerprint''' is a string of data that maps and compiles details of a particular device or user, such as the operating system and browser information. Unlike an IP address, which is a singular piece of data that users can manipulate for privacy and security (such as using a VPN service or resetting network connection), a device fingerprint holds a series of specified data that can be uniquely attributed to a device or user, and are therefore much harder to protect from tracking and abuse of privacy.		A '''device fingerprint''' is a string of data that maps and compiles details of a particular device or user, such as the operating system and browser information. Unlike an IP address, which is a singular piece of data that users can manipulate for privacy and security (such as using a VPN service or resetting network connection), a device fingerprint holds a series of specified data that can be uniquely attributed to a device or user (or a group thereof), and are therefore much harder to protect from tracking and abuse of privacy.

	Common data that may be included in a device fingerprint include:		Common data that may be included in a device fingerprint include:
Line 13:		Line 13:

	==How it works==		==How it works==
	<!-- Can someone knowledgable enough please check this? -->Fingerprinting works by getting a data ~~item~~ and turning it into a much shorter bit string that uniquely identifies itself. This includes the operating system, device model, screen resolution and more.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=How does device fingerprinting work? \|url=https://www.crossclassify.com/resources/articles/how-does-fingerprinting-work/ \|access-date=31 August 2025 \|website=crossclasiffy.com}}</ref>		<!-- Can someone knowledgable enough please check this? -->Fingerprinting works by getting one or more data items and turning them into a much shorter bit string that uniquely identifies itself (typically by applying a [[wikipedia:Hash_function\|hash-function]]). This includes the operating system, device model, screen resolution, installed fonts, graphic-rendering, and more.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=How does device fingerprinting work? \|url=https://www.crossclassify.com/resources/articles/how-does-fingerprinting-work/ \|access-date=31 August 2025 \|website=crossclasiffy.com}}</ref>

			Even the '''lack of data can be used to build a fingerprint''', as certain data is unlikely to be missing. This is the case when a "power user" changes many default settings, or clears fields that aren't necessary. Unfortunately, this helps narrow-down the identifier, creating a unique fingerprint.

	==Why it is a problem==		==Why it is a problem==
Line 21:		Line 23:
	Some examples of fingerprinting include some types of cookies,		Some examples of fingerprinting include some types of cookies,

	== Remedies ==		==Remedies==
	Device fingerprinting is notoriously difficult to avoid. IP addresses can be masked, hidden, or modified, while cookies can be blocked, cleared, and avoided. Device fingerprints, however, are a compilation of basic data points that computers and browsers use to communicate with web pages. The only notable remedy is using privacy-focused browsers such as Mullvad and Brave which randomize certain data points to hide unique attributes.		Device fingerprinting is notoriously difficult to avoid. IP addresses can be masked, hidden, or modified, while cookies can be blocked, cleared, and avoided. Device fingerprints, however, are a compilation of basic data points that computers and browsers use to communicate with web pages. The only notable remedy is using privacy-focused browsers such as Mullvad and Brave which randomize certain data points to hide unique attributes.

Beanie Bo: Added remedies section (needs more work)

2025-09-13T15:43:35Z

Added remedies section (needs more work)

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:43, 13 September 2025
Line 1:		Line 1:
	{{StubNotice}}		{{StubNotice}}{{ToneWarning}}

	A '''device fingerprint''' is a string of data that maps and compiles details of a particular device or user, such as the operating system and browser information. Unlike an IP address, which is a singular piece of data that users can manipulate for privacy and security (such as using a VPN service or resetting network connection), a device fingerprint holds a series of specified data that can be uniquely attributed to a device or user, and are therefore much harder to protect from tracking and abuse of privacy.		A '''device fingerprint''' is a string of data that maps and compiles details of a particular device or user, such as the operating system and browser information. Unlike an IP address, which is a singular piece of data that users can manipulate for privacy and security (such as using a VPN service or resetting network connection), a device fingerprint holds a series of specified data that can be uniquely attributed to a device or user, and are therefore much harder to protect from tracking and abuse of privacy.

	Common data that may be included in a device fingerprint include:		Common data that may be included in a device fingerprint include:

	* '''Device model and hardware'''		*'''Device model and hardware'''
	* '''Web browser'''		*'''Web browser'''
	* '''Screen resolution'''		*'''Screen resolution'''
	* '''Font type and size'''		*'''Font type and size'''
	* '''Plugins'''		*'''Plugins'''
	* '''Browser extensions'''		*'''Browser extensions'''
	* and many more		*and many more

	==How it works==		==How it works==
Line 21:		Line 20:
	==Examples==		==Examples==
	Some examples of fingerprinting include some types of cookies,		Some examples of fingerprinting include some types of cookies,

			== Remedies ==
			Device fingerprinting is notoriously difficult to avoid. IP addresses can be masked, hidden, or modified, while cookies can be blocked, cleared, and avoided. Device fingerprints, however, are a compilation of basic data points that computers and browsers use to communicate with web pages. The only notable remedy is using privacy-focused browsers such as Mullvad and Brave which randomize certain data points to hide unique attributes.

	==References==		==References==

Beanie Bo: Rewrote opening section for specificity and relevance

2025-09-13T15:36:33Z

Rewrote opening section for specificity and relevance

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:36, 13 September 2025
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	{{StubNotice}}		{{StubNotice}}

	~~In computer science,~~ '''~~fingerprinting~~''' is a ~~procedure~~ that maps an ~~arbitrarily large~~ data ~~item~~ (such as a ~~computer file~~) to a much ~~shorter bit string, its~~ '''''~~fingerprint~~''''', that uniquely identifies the original data for all practical purposes just as human fingerprints uniquely entify people for practical purposes.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=What is fingerprinting in Computer Science? \|url=https://tolumichael.com/what-is-fingerprinting-in-cybersecurity/ \|access-date=30 August 2025}}</ref>		A '''device fingerprint''' is a string of data that maps and compiles details of a particular device or user, such as the operating system and browser information. Unlike an IP address, which is a singular piece of data that users can manipulate for privacy and security (such as using a VPN service or resetting network connection), a device fingerprint holds a series of specified data that can be uniquely attributed to a device or user, and are therefore much harder to protect from tracking and abuse of privacy.

			Common data that may be included in a device fingerprint include:

			* '''Device model and hardware'''
			* '''Web browser'''
			* '''Screen resolution'''
			* '''Font type and size'''
			* '''Plugins'''
			* '''Browser extensions'''
			* and many more

	==How it works==		==How it works==