Many people may have only heard the term "browser fingerprint" recently and might think it is a highly sophisticated technology, or at least a feature exclusive to advanced browsers. However, browser fingerprinting is actually something that is used whenever we browse the web. It is not a high-tech feature that we can actively use, but rather a mechanism through which websites collect and record various data about us.

You may still not understand what browser fingerprinting is after reading the above explanation, but that's okay. I will provide a more detailed explanation below of what browser fingerprinting is and how it affects us.

1. What is Browser Fingerprinting?

The principle of browser fingerprinting is that websites collect information about you from multiple perspectives, such as your computer window resolution, system language, time zone, and computer configuration. Many websites store and aggregate this information, and the resulting dataset is what we call a browser fingerprint.

Furthermore, browser fingerprinting does not require our authorization, pop-up prompts, or login. It is automatically present and directly collected—this is different from cookies, which can be cleared, while fingerprints are extremely difficult to remove.

2. What Does a Browser Fingerprint Include?

Despite being called a "browser fingerprint," it actually encompasses a wide range of information, typically including the following:

1. Browser Environment: Such as User-Agent, browser language, time zone, and plugin list.

2. Device Hardware: Such as CPU model, GPU (graphics card) information, screen resolution, etc.

3. Network Characteristics: Such as IP address, DNS, and whether WebRTC leaks information, etc.

4. Rendering Features: Many people are unaware that rendering results from Canvas, WebGL, AudioContext, etc., can also be used to identify devices.

5. Behavioral Characteristics: Not all websites collect this data, as it is more complex. Examples include mouse movement trajectories, typing rhythm, and clicking habits. Advanced platforms can even determine if multiple accounts belong to the same person based on these behavioral patterns.

3. Why Do Websites Use Browser Fingerprinting?

Browser fingerprinting has more uses than you might imagine.

Advertising Platforms: Identify real users and prevent fake traffic

E-commerce Platforms: Prevent a single person from registering multiple stores

Ticket/E-sports Platforms: Prevent scalpers from hoarding tickets and stop multi-account usage

Social Media Platforms: Identify fake accounts

Payment Platforms: Detect fraudulent activities

4. How Does Browser Fingerprinting Affect Us?

If you only use one device and log into one account, the impact is actually minimal. However, it significantly affects user groups such as cross-border e-commerce sellers, social media/self-media matrix operators, advertising marketers, multi-account managers, and operation studios—and this impact can be quite troublesome.

This is because these users often have multiple accounts associated with the same device and identical fingerprints, making it easy for platforms to link these accounts together. This can lead to login anomalies, account verification requirements, account restrictions, or even permanent bans. This is precisely why the issue of browser fingerprinting must be addressed.

5. How Can We Solve This Problem or Avoid Account Linking?

We generally recommend using anti-detection browsers (also known as fingerprint browsers). These browsers allow you to create multiple environments with different basic information, enabling a single computer to mimic dozens of separate devices. They can independently manage the IP, cookies, and fingerprint of each window, preventing detection and account linking by platforms.

For example, MostLogin Anti-Detection Browser can be used for fingerprint isolation, multi-account environment management, and independent IP, cookie, and browser parameter configuration. This makes each account appear as a different real device in the website's backend, which is the most reliable solution.

FAQs:

Q: What is a browser fingerprint?

A: A browser fingerprint is a set of device information that a website requests from your browser when you visit it. It is primarily used to identify and record your device's unique characteristics, making it easier to link multiple accounts logged in from the same device.

Q: What information does a browser fingerprint typically include?

A: It generally includes five categories of information: browser environment (UA, language, time zone, etc.), hardware configuration (CPU/GPU/resolution), network characteristics (IP, DNS, WebRTC), rendering features (Canvas/WebGL/AudioContext), and behavioral characteristics (mouse trajectories, typing rhythm) collected by some websites. Together, these data points form your browser fingerprint.

Q: Why do websites collect browser fingerprints?

A: Primarily for risk control and anti-fraud purposes. Advertising platforms use it to detect fake traffic, e-commerce platforms to identify multiple store registrations by the same person, ticket/e-sports platforms to stop scalping, social media platforms to identify fake accounts, and payment platforms to detect risky transactions.

Q: How can I prevent multiple accounts from being linked by platforms due to identical fingerprints?

A: The most effective method is to use an anti-detection browser (fingerprint browser). It can generate completely independent device fingerprints, IP addresses, and cookie environments for each account, allowing a single computer to simulate multiple different devices and fundamentally avoid account linking. For example, MostLogin enables multi-account isolation and independent fingerprint environment management, making it the most reliable solution available today.