{"id":69755,"date":"2014-07-24T00:57:42","date_gmt":"2014-07-23T22:57:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/onsoftware.en.softonic.com\/?p=69755"},"modified":"2025-07-02T00:35:07","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T07:35:07","slug":"canvas-fingerprinting-web-tracking-how-to-protect-yourself","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/canvas-fingerprinting-web-tracking-how-to-protect-yourself\/","title":{"rendered":"Canvas fingerprinting web tracking tool isn’t the end of privacy"},"content":{"rendered":"

An “impossible to block” web tracking tool was discovered earlier this week by ProPublica<\/em>.\u00a0 Called “canvas fingerprinting<\/strong>,” the tool instructs web browsers to draw a hidden image, which is used as a unique identifier<\/strong> for users.<\/p>\n

Canvas fingerprinting was developed by a company called AddThis to replace cookies, which also tracks user behavior across sites. The difference is, there are tons of tools that wipe or block cookies. Most browsers offer a way to block cookies altogether.<\/p>\n

ProPublica<\/em> was the first to report about canvas fingerprinting, calling it “virtually impossible to block.” In truth, the web tracking tool can be blocked quite easily<\/strong>. In fact, users of the Adblock Plus<\/strong> (Chrome<\/a> | Firefox<\/a> | Internet Explorer<\/a>) browser add-on are already blocking canvas fingerprinting.<\/p>\n

How does canvas fingerprinting work?<\/h3>\n

Let’s bring it back to the beginning and explain exactly how canvas fingerprinting works. In short, the tool works by collecting data from your computer’s graphics chip<\/strong> to create a profile about you. Each individual graphics setting acts as part of a fingerprint. For example, your clock settings, font size, and driver versions all give canvas fingerprinting to make a unique identifier about you.<\/p>\n

The tool does all this without storing anything on your computer<\/strong>, meaning there’s nothing to delete.<\/p>\n

On mobile, canvas fingerprinting is all but useless. Most phones are uniform, running the same hardware and software. It would be impossible to test variances in graphics with such homogenized devices.<\/p>\n

Which sites use canvas fingerprinting?<\/h3>\n

While 13 million sites<\/strong> across the web have the canvas fingerprinting technology built in, only a small portion<\/strong> actually use it to track users. ProPublica<\/em> specifically calls out WhiteHouse.gov and YouPorn.<\/p>\n

YouPorn has responded to the allegations by saying it had no idea AddThis technology used on its site contained a tracking tool. The site has since removed AddThis to protect its users’ privacy.<\/p>\n

“[YouPorn was] completely unaware that AddThis contained a tracking software that had the potential to jeopardize the privacy of our users,” said a spokesperson speaking to ProPublica.<\/p>\n

How can I stop canvas fingerprinting?<\/h3>\n

As mentioned before, installing the Adblock Plus browser add-on defeats the canvas fingerprinting. By blocking the script<\/strong> that allows canvas fingerpriting to run, Adblock Plus can stop it from launching. Keep in mind you’ll have to add the EasyPrivacy filter<\/a> to the extension for this to work. This will only block known advertisers from tracking you so lesser known sites may still be tracking you<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Alternatively, you can run the NoScript<\/a> extension to block JavaScript<\/strong>, which canvas fingerprinting relies on to run. This is not ideal as many parts of the web rely on JavaScript to display web pages properly.<\/p>\n

Users who really don’t want to be tracked can use Tor<\/strong> (Mac<\/a> | Windows<\/a>), the onion router. Tor works by sending your web traffic through randomly selected relays<\/strong> before reaching the site you’re trying to view. This prevents anyone watching your internet traffic from knowing where it originated from. All information is encrypted<\/strong> as well, making it even more secure.<\/p>\n

\"Tor<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, Tor makes your connection much slower<\/strong> since it has to jump through so many randomized nodes to hide your identity.<\/p>\n

While Tor is quite secure, it’s not invincible. The FBI was able to track down a Harvard student who threatened to bomb<\/a> the university.<\/p>\n

No need to panic<\/h3>\n

Canvas fingerprinting is an interesting technology but limited in its use. While it’s hard to detect, it’s not impossible to block.<\/p>\n

After a year of high profile attacks<\/strong> on sites and services like eBay<\/a> and Spotify<\/a>, it’s understandable that people are worried about their privacy and security.<\/p>\n

While no one is completely safe<\/strong> online, you can educate yourself about privacy and security. If you’re a parent, be aware<\/a> of what your kids are doing online. Learn how to delete a file permanently<\/a>. Wipe your phone completely<\/a> before selling it.<\/p>\n

Knowing is half the battle so stay tuned for more security news<\/a> and features<\/a> from Softonic<\/em>.<\/p>\n

RELATED STORIES<\/h3>\n

Firefox 31 brings new tab search bar, increased download security<\/a><\/p>\n

Critical Java update prevents hackers from remotely controlling your computer<\/a><\/p>\n

Security researchers find critical flaws in web-based password managers<\/a><\/p>\n

How to permanently delete files on Android<\/a><\/p>\n

Critical Adobe Flash exploit leaves your data vulnerable<\/a><\/p>\n

Follow Lewis on Twitter: @lewisleong<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

An “impossible to block” web tracking tool was discovered earlier this week by ProPublica.\u00a0 Called “canvas fingerprinting,” the tool instructs web browsers to draw a hidden image, which is used as a unique identifier for users. Canvas fingerprinting was developed by a company called AddThis to replace cookies, which also tracks user behavior across sites. … Continue reading “Canvas fingerprinting web tracking tool isn’t the end of privacy”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2033,"featured_media":69760,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","wpcf-pageviews":0},"categories":[],"tags":[2853],"usertag":[],"vertical":[],"content-category":[],"class_list":["post-69755","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-app-subdomain-redirectioncanvas"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/69755","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2033"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=69755"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/69755\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":330466,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/69755\/revisions\/330466"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/69760"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=69755"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=69755"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=69755"},{"taxonomy":"usertag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/usertag?post=69755"},{"taxonomy":"vertical","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/vertical?post=69755"},{"taxonomy":"content-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/content-category?post=69755"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}