Your online browser has a unique fingerprint, which means that, in extension, you have a digital fingerprint that you can (and usually do) leave behind at each location you visit on your internet browser. Digital fingerprints are similar to regular fingerprints – they are often unique to the individual and can be monitored and abused.
In fact, there are companies who are already using fingerprinting on computers in order to learn more information about individuals –their interests and habits. This can be powerful information to have if it’s used to tailor advertising to people.
Actually, I’m sure most people already have had an experience like this: you want to install a grammar and/or a spellchecker for example. You start browsing for free grammar checkers and maybe install one. Suddenly, every other commercial on YouTube is that exact grammar checker you installed. Even Facebook is suggesting you like the grammar’s page.
The problem is, in some countries fingerprinting on computers can be used to spy on people. Although computer users are generally growing in awareness of privacy issues, currently there’s not much that can be done to stop fingerprinting.
That’s why researchers at the University of Adelaide are working on developing new methods for protecting against the fingerprinting of personal computers. Currently, they are seeking the public’s help to better understand which fingerprinting techniques are the most powerful. In order to do this, they have to analyze about 10,000 of online fingerprints, and right now, they have 2500. They say that no personal information will be retained for their project and any data they obtain will be rendered anonymous. The goal is to enable people to protect themselves against being fingerprinted without their consent.
Chanwoo's Weekly Tech 