Online Identification: Beyond Your IP Address

TL;DR

Your IP address isn’t the only way you can be identified online. Websites and services use cookies, browser fingerprinting, device information, login details, and even your behaviour to track and recognise you. Understanding these methods helps you protect your privacy.

How Else You Can Be Identified Online

1. Cookies

• Small text files websites store on your computer.
• Used for remembering login details, preferences, and tracking activity.
• You can manage cookies in your browser settings (e.g., block third-party cookies).

Browser Fingerprinting

• Creates a unique profile of your browser based on its configuration:
• Installed fonts
• Operating system
• Plugins
• Timezone
• Language settings
• More difficult to block than cookies. Privacy-focused browsers (like Brave or Tor) and browser extensions can help reduce your fingerprint’s uniqueness.

Device Information

• Websites can collect information about your device:
• Screen resolution
• CPU type
• Operating system version
• Installed apps (on mobile)
• This data is often used for analytics and targeted advertising.

Login Details

• Your usernames, passwords, and email addresses are a primary way you’re identified across services.
• Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible.

Account Information

• Details provided during account creation (name, address, phone number).
• Services link this information to your online activity.

Behavioural Tracking

• Websites track how you interact with their content:
• Pages visited
• Links clicked
• Time spent on pages
• Mouse movements and scrolling patterns
• This data is used to build a profile of your interests. Using privacy-focused search engines (like DuckDuckGo) can help limit this tracking.

Supercookies

• More persistent than regular cookies, harder to delete.
• Often stored in browser cache or flash storage.
• Privacy extensions and careful browser configuration are needed to block them.

WebRTC Leaks

• Web Real-Time Communication (WebRTC) can reveal your real IP address even when using a VPN.
• Check for WebRTC leaks using online tools and disable it in your browser settings if you don’t need it. For example, in Firefox: about:config then search for media.peerconnection.enabled and set to false.

Protecting Your Privacy

Here are some steps you can take:

• Use a VPN: Masks your IP address.
• Privacy-Focused Browser: Brave, Tor, or Firefox with privacy extensions.
• Browser Extensions: uBlock Origin (blocks ads and trackers), Privacy Badger (learns to block trackers).
• Regularly Clear Cookies & Cache: Removes tracking data.
• Strong Passwords & 2FA: Protects your accounts.
• Limit Account Information: Provide only necessary details.