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I will admit that it always made me confused as to why browser has access to detailed hardware information. I can understand OS. I can understand resolution. I

I will admit that it always made me confused as to why browser has access to detailed hardware information. I can understand OS. I can understand resolution. I can rationalize GPU. I don't understand though why it should be able to access .. well, everything about the machine. edit: It is still impressive. Even with the firefox settings on, the website was able to identify me. I am not entirely certain how I want to approach this.

SV_BubbleTime 4y ago
I got me on iPhone through VPN change, clear cache, private window, and reboot. I know what to think about this… I fucking hate it.
- A4ET8a8uTh0 4y ago
  That I can relate to, but the more immediate question is whether you are willing to adjust your habits to nullify its impact. Most people would not.
- DavideNL 4y ago
  So i just found that the "SnowHaze" browser prevents fingerprinting on fingerprint.com and https://browserleaks.com/canvas https://browserleaks.com/canvas • https://apps.apple.com/nl/app/snowhaze/id1121026941?l=en https://apps.apple.com/nl/app/snowhaze/id1121026941?l=en • https://github.com/snowhaze/SnowHaze-iOS https://github.com/snowhaze/SnowHaze-iOS
- DavideNL 4y ago
  Note that there's also: Settings > Safari > Advanced > Experimental Features where you can disable OpenGL and such (i haven't tested yet.)
whamlastxmas 4y ago
I would assume for more advanced browser features, like 4k video playing, that hardware information could tell the player whether your machine is capable of playing back 4k video without stuttering.
tenebrisalietum 4y ago
Because the browser has become a vendor neutral, architecture neutral app engine and people want to do things like play MIDI instruments, use serial ports, use proprietary USB check scanners for accounting/ERP apps that work on the web and don't need SCCM to manage, etc.
- aprilnya 4y ago
  yeah, but it should ask you if you want to allow the website to know this kind of stuff instead of just allowing it by default
- account42 4y ago
  > people want to Some people want to do those things and for very specific websites. Most people don't even know what MIDI or serial ports are.
A4ET8a8uTh0 4y ago
edit/ update from original post cuz i cant edit anymore So quick update since I am mildly obsessive. I was sure it was either GPU, CPU or addons that were giving me away ( I do have a mildly unique setup ). I ran few tests in VM and the moment I dropped GPU passthrough ( left CPU passthrough ), I was no longer ( based on that website anyway ) tracked across sessions. In other words, cat and mouse game continues.
account42 4y ago
> I can understand OS. I can understand resolution. I can rationalize GPU. None of these should be available to websites by default. The first two come from simpler times when people were not as concerned with privacy implications. The third has been and continues to be pushed by advertising companies (Google, Apple, Microsoft).

SV_BubbleTime 4y ago

I got me on iPhone through VPN change, clear cache, private window, and reboot. I know what to think about this… I fucking hate it.

A4ET8a8uTh0 4y ago
That I can relate to, but the more immediate question is whether you are willing to adjust your habits to nullify its impact. Most people would not.
DavideNL 4y ago
So i just found that the "SnowHaze" browser prevents fingerprinting on fingerprint.com and https://browserleaks.com/canvas https://browserleaks.com/canvas • https://apps.apple.com/nl/app/snowhaze/id1121026941?l=en https://apps.apple.com/nl/app/snowhaze/id1121026941?l=en • https://github.com/snowhaze/SnowHaze-iOS https://github.com/snowhaze/SnowHaze-iOS
DavideNL 4y ago
Note that there's also: Settings > Safari > Advanced > Experimental Features where you can disable OpenGL and such (i haven't tested yet.)

whamlastxmas 4y ago

I would assume for more advanced browser features, like 4k video playing, that hardware information could tell the player whether your machine is capable of playing back 4k video without stuttering.

tenebrisalietum 4y ago

Because the browser has become a vendor neutral, architecture neutral app engine and people want to do things like play MIDI instruments, use serial ports, use proprietary USB check scanners for accounting/ERP apps that work on the web and don't need SCCM to manage, etc.

aprilnya 4y ago
yeah, but it should ask you if you want to allow the website to know this kind of stuff instead of just allowing it by default
account42 4y ago
> people want to Some people want to do those things and for very specific websites. Most people don't even know what MIDI or serial ports are.

A4ET8a8uTh0 4y ago

edit/ update from original post cuz i cant edit anymore So quick update since I am mildly obsessive. I was sure it was either GPU, CPU or addons that were giving me away ( I do have a mildly unique setup ). I ran few tests in VM and the moment I dropped GPU passthrough ( left CPU passthrough ), I was no longer ( based on that website anyway ) tracked across sessions. In other words, cat and mouse game continues.

account42 4y ago

> I can understand OS. I can understand resolution. I can rationalize GPU. None of these should be available to websites by default. The first two come from simpler times when people were not as concerned with privacy implications. The third has been and continues to be pushed by advertising companies (Google, Apple, Microsoft).