Most internet users know that cookies are used to monitor their browsing activity, but few realize that deleting them does not necessarily protect their privacy. A newer and more advanced method known as browser fingerprinting is now being used to identify and track people online.
Browser fingerprinting works differently from cookies. Instead of saving files or scripts on your device, it quietly gathers detailed information from your browser and computer settings. This includes your operating system, installed fonts, screen size, browser version, plug-ins, and other configuration details. Together, these elements create a unique digital signature, often as distinct as a real fingerprint.
Each time you open a website, your browser automatically sends information so that the page can load correctly. Over time, advertisers and data brokers have learned to use this information to monitor your online movements. Because this process does not rely on files stored on your computer, it cannot be deleted or cleared, making it much harder to detect or block.
Research from the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) through its Cover Your Tracks project shows that most users have unique fingerprints among hundreds of thousands of samples.
Similarly, researchers at Friedrich-Alexander University in Germany have been studying this technique since 2016 and found that many browsers retain the same fingerprint for long periods, allowing for continuous tracking.
Even modern browsers such as Chrome and Edge reveal significant details about your system through something called a User Agent string. This data, when combined with other technical information, allows websites to recognize your device even after you clear cookies or use private browsing.
To reduce exposure, experts recommend using privacy-focused browsers such as Brave, which offers built-in fingerprinting protection through its Shields feature. It blocks trackers, cookies, and scripts while allowing users to control what information is shared.
A VPN can also help by hiding your IP address, but it does not completely prevent fingerprinting.
In short, clearing cookies or using Incognito mode provides limited protection.
True online privacy requires tools and browsers specifically designed to reduce digital tracking. As browser fingerprinting becomes more common, understanding how it works and how to limit it is essential for anyone concerned about online privacy.
