Websites use cookies to track user activity on the web and this is a controversial matter that most browser are choosing to avoid. However, this is not the case with Firefox since its set to become the world’s first major browser that takes measures against canvas fingerprinting. This terminology might be unfamiliar to most people, but at essence it’s a cookie-less method of tracking a user’s activity on the web.
Browser Fingerprinting
This method of tracking users requires websites that can extract information from HTML elements without asking for the user’s permission. Firefox is the only browser which is making that sure that malicious websites are not able to extract HTML data without receiving access from the user first. This is similar to what Tor Browser is doing right now.
Tor Browser Security
Tor Browser is renowned for putting a high price on user security and therefore cookies are not allowed on it. What many might not know is that Tor Browser is based on Firefox’s ESR (extender support release”. In addition, many Tor-exclusive features are compatible with Firefox. With that said, Firefox aspires to feature the same level of user security as Tor Browser does.
Canvas Fingerprinting
The canvas HTML element is a surface that browsers can draw on. This element can be used to give instructions such as to render words and pictures on a hidden canvas element. The result of that render will be extracted from the element and it will become an ID code.
In addition, canvas fingerprinting is quite difficult to be removed. This fingerprinting method is complex, customizable and it runs on any browser. People who love to customize their browsers with addons, plugins and so on should know that their information is more easily accessible through canvas fingerprinting. Nonetheless, it’s great seeing that Firefox is finally doing something about it.
