Mozilla's move to tackle fingerprinting scripts which are capable of tracking users across the web, by taking a screenshot of their computer’s configuration to track them without their consent is now in full gear with the debut of Firefox 72.
The latest release, Firefox 72 protects against fingerprinting by blocking requests from third-parties to companies that are known to participate in fingerprinting, which is akin to cookie-based tracking, also used by websites and advertisers to track users as they surf the web.
While fingerprinting take clues from browser version and device platform, including installed fonts and extensions to create a unique profile that distinguish one user from another. Unlike cookie-based tracking, fingerprinting continues to follow a user even after the browser's cache has been cleared or privacy mode is enabled, which supposedly, should be surfing anonymously.
What is Enhanced Tracking Protection?
The Enhanced Tracking Protection made debut in Firefox 57 with options to block website elements (ads and social share buttons), and enables tracking protection outside of private browsing. It is aimed at mitigating privacy threats and allowing the users take back control of their online activities without fear of tracking across websites — without consent.
Albeit, the tracking protection wasn't enabled by default, meaning that a user will have to enable it for protection. And Firefox users can turn on ‘Strict Mode’ to get protection from fingerprinting scripts.
But starting with Firefox 72, Mozilla has fingerprinting protection option of Enhanced Tracking Protection (ETP) turned on by default, which means that even if a user switched off ETP, the "Fingerprinting protection" will still be active.
How to block fingerprinting with Firefox 72
Download the latest browser version, Firefox 72 as it protects you against fingerprinting by blocking third-party requests to companies that are known to participate in fingerprinting.
And the setting is not hidden that you'd need to dig around to find it, the latest Firefox browser has fingerprint blocking turned on by default. You can visit your privacy protections dashboard to see websites that are trying to track you behind the scenes and how Firefox is stopping them.
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