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Earlier, we have already talked about what fingerprinting and fingerprinting technology are, and what parameters can be used to determine who is in front of us — a bot or a person. One of these parameters is Canvas.
In this article, we will look at how canvas fingerprinting works, understand how it captures the unique attributes of the browser, and why it is important in today's world. In addition, we'll look at the privacy implications of this hidden identifier, its application in marketing, and anti-fraud.
Table of Contents
1. How it works
1.1. How data is extracted
1.2. Canvas Attributes
1.3. How data is stored and analyzed
2. What can canvas fingerprinting be used for?
3. Canvas Fingerprinting and User Consent
4. How scammers bypass Canvas fingerprinting
By using the HTML5 Canvas element, sites can extract more detailed but distinctive characteristics of the user's browser and device. Each profile has its own digital footprint for all browsing sessions.
Collecting data through canvas is used to increase the security level of the resource. If any anomalies in the visitor's behavior are detected during the process, then access to data and content can be immediately blocked.
It can be used to identify malicious bots and prevent attacks, as well as target ads, strengthen authentication, and provide personalized experiences.
JavaScript is crucial in canvas fingerprinting, acting as an intermediary between the rendered image and the server:
This technology generates a digital footprint by capturing browser attributes and rendering characteristics. These components read the digital footprint, including attributes related to the user's browser, operating system, and device.
The strength of this technology lies in its ability to capture differences in how browsers and devices display images on HTML5 Canvas. They arise due to differences in graphics rendering pipelines, anti-aliasing algorithms, and device-specific rendering features. Their combination results in a separate and almost immutable identifier for each user, even within different browsing sessions.
Example of hashed data from Canvas:
3824a9f4dafe92c6f1b80b40656a59784c03a824c27d58125d7d0ace753e2df2
However, it's important to note that in some cases, digital footprints can be linked to other identifiers, such as IP addresses or user accounts, potentially reducing their privacy.
To analyze the data, the site can compare canvas fingerprints between visits, sessions, or resources. By recognizing unique patterns and similarities between digital footprints, they can identify returning users, track their browsing habits, and share this data with third-party advertisers for targeted advertising.
– To protect accounts
Fingerprints from Canvas can be used as an additional layer of authentication. They can become a kind of database of verified users to confirm their identity when logging into the account. Since the digital footprint is difficult to replicate, it will make it more difficult to compromise accounts (but only if the digital fingerprint is included in the multi-factor authentication process).
– To enhance the personalized user experience
Marketers understand how important personalization is. That is why all major entertainment resources, movie services, online stores, etc. use canvas fingerprinting methods. Content personalization improves the usability of the resource and increases revenue.
According to statistics, 91% of consumers say they are more likely to choose sites that offer them personalized content and offers. Collecting digital footprints through canvas helps to offer users recommended content based on their previous behavior and browsing history.
To provide consumers with a personalized experience, companies use tracking methods such as cookies and fingerprinting. However, cookies are slowly becoming obsolete, while the latest tracking methods such as canvas fingerprinting take center stage.
— For targeted ads
Today, online advertising is one of the best and most effective channels for promoting goods and services. But given the wide audience, it is crucial that the advertising budget is spent wisely, and the ads are shown only to the target customers.
That's why advertisers rely heavily on canvas fingerprinting to improve their ad ROI. If cookies were previously effective in this regard, today canvas fingerprinting is in the lead. Moreover, advertising platforms are already canceling the collection of user cookies for displaying ads, which deprives advertisers of delivering targeted ads to the target audience.
— For analytics and tracking
Analytics and tracking is one of the most important parts of a business. Without reliable data, marketers may not be able to report on ROI, the effectiveness of marketing campaigns, and their further optimization. One of the advantages of canvas fingerprinting is the identification of important data such as the number of new users, regular visitors, etc.
– To prevent bot attacks
Canvas fingerprinting technology identifies the visitor by the unique graphic characteristics of the device. This makes it more difficult for cybercriminals to fake or copy the digital footprints of other users.
This technology is vital for fraud detection and prevention systems. With Canvas fingerprinting, you can identify and flag suspicious activity or potentially fraudulent behavior, creating a unique identifier for each user.
Canvas digital footprints allow fraud detection systems to recognize repetitive patterns and identify anomalies that may indicate fraudulent and malicious activity.
However, this method of removing digital traces may not be subject to traditional cookie consent mechanisms. Therefore, sites should update their privacy policies and consent management mechanisms and include canvas fingerprinting technology in their data collection methods.
– Special extensions
To protect themselves from the collection of digital footprints by Canvas, users install browser extensions or use special online tools. These tools scan sites for fingerprinting and alert users to possible tracking activities.
- Browsers with anonymization function
One of the most effective ways attackers can use against collecting digital footprints is by visiting sites through Tor or Brave browsers. They have built-in functionality that blocks the collection of digital fingerprints through HTML5 canvas.
– VPN, disabling JavaScript, clearing cache
To prevent a site from reading digital footprints through the <canvas> tag, cybercriminals can use the browser's privacy settings to restrict access to the canvas, disable JavaScript and log in through VPN services, regularly clear the browser's cache and cookies.
| The <canvas> tag is an HTML5 element designed to dynamically create graphics, animations, and interactive visualizations on a website page using JavaScript according to the parameters of the user's device. |
In this article, we will look at how canvas fingerprinting works, understand how it captures the unique attributes of the browser, and why it is important in today's world. In addition, we'll look at the privacy implications of this hidden identifier, its application in marketing, and anti-fraud.
Table of Contents
1. How it works
1.1. How data is extracted
1.2. Canvas Attributes
1.3. How data is stored and analyzed
2. What can canvas fingerprinting be used for?
3. Canvas Fingerprinting and User Consent
4. How scammers bypass Canvas fingerprinting
How it works
In traffic quality tracking, Canvas Fingerprinting is a powerful and discreet method of identifying users. Unlike traditional cookies, which can be easily deleted, replaced, or blocked, the canvas works on a more fundamental level, taking advantage of the unique visualization capabilities of the user's browser.By using the HTML5 Canvas element, sites can extract more detailed but distinctive characteristics of the user's browser and device. Each profile has its own digital footprint for all browsing sessions.
Collecting data through canvas is used to increase the security level of the resource. If any anomalies in the visitor's behavior are detected during the process, then access to data and content can be immediately blocked.
It can be used to identify malicious bots and prevent attacks, as well as target ads, strengthen authentication, and provide personalized experiences.
How data is retrieved
First, the image is drawn. Next, canvas fingerprinting uses JavaScript to read pixel data. This pixel data contains extensive information about the user's browser, including details of the graphics rendering pipeline, anti-aliasing algorithms, and rendering glitches unique to the browser and operating system. This combination of characteristics forms a digital footprint that is stored and used as an identifier.JavaScript is crucial in canvas fingerprinting, acting as an intermediary between the rendered image and the server:
- Once the pixel data is collected, JavaScript converts it into a digital fingerprint using a hashing algorithm to compress the data into a compact string of characters.
- This fingerprint is then sent back to the site's server, which can be used for visitor tracking, analytics, or personalized content delivery.
This technology generates a digital footprint by capturing browser attributes and rendering characteristics. These components read the digital footprint, including attributes related to the user's browser, operating system, and device.
Canvas Attributes
The key Canvas elements that can be used to recreate the profile of a site visitor are as follows:- User-agent string,
- screen resolution,
- color depth,
- installed fonts,
- canvas API behavior.
The strength of this technology lies in its ability to capture differences in how browsers and devices display images on HTML5 Canvas. They arise due to differences in graphics rendering pipelines, anti-aliasing algorithms, and device-specific rendering features. Their combination results in a separate and almost immutable identifier for each user, even within different browsing sessions.
How data is stored and analyzed
Websites collect and store this data on their servers. The information is typically compressed into a fixed-length string of characters using cryptographic algorithms. Hashing helps to keep the visitor anonymous because the original data cannot be easily reversed from the hash.Example of hashed data from Canvas:
3824a9f4dafe92c6f1b80b40656a59784c03a824c27d58125d7d0ace753e2df2
However, it's important to note that in some cases, digital footprints can be linked to other identifiers, such as IP addresses or user accounts, potentially reducing their privacy.
To analyze the data, the site can compare canvas fingerprints between visits, sessions, or resources. By recognizing unique patterns and similarities between digital footprints, they can identify returning users, track their browsing habits, and share this data with third-party advertisers for targeted advertising.
What can canvas fingerprinting be used for?
– To protect accounts
Fingerprints from Canvas can be used as an additional layer of authentication. They can become a kind of database of verified users to confirm their identity when logging into the account. Since the digital footprint is difficult to replicate, it will make it more difficult to compromise accounts (but only if the digital fingerprint is included in the multi-factor authentication process).
– To enhance the personalized user experience
Marketers understand how important personalization is. That is why all major entertainment resources, movie services, online stores, etc. use canvas fingerprinting methods. Content personalization improves the usability of the resource and increases revenue.
According to statistics, 91% of consumers say they are more likely to choose sites that offer them personalized content and offers. Collecting digital footprints through canvas helps to offer users recommended content based on their previous behavior and browsing history.
To provide consumers with a personalized experience, companies use tracking methods such as cookies and fingerprinting. However, cookies are slowly becoming obsolete, while the latest tracking methods such as canvas fingerprinting take center stage.
— For targeted ads
Today, online advertising is one of the best and most effective channels for promoting goods and services. But given the wide audience, it is crucial that the advertising budget is spent wisely, and the ads are shown only to the target customers.
That's why advertisers rely heavily on canvas fingerprinting to improve their ad ROI. If cookies were previously effective in this regard, today canvas fingerprinting is in the lead. Moreover, advertising platforms are already canceling the collection of user cookies for displaying ads, which deprives advertisers of delivering targeted ads to the target audience.
— For analytics and tracking
Analytics and tracking is one of the most important parts of a business. Without reliable data, marketers may not be able to report on ROI, the effectiveness of marketing campaigns, and their further optimization. One of the advantages of canvas fingerprinting is the identification of important data such as the number of new users, regular visitors, etc.
– To prevent bot attacks
Canvas fingerprinting technology identifies the visitor by the unique graphic characteristics of the device. This makes it more difficult for cybercriminals to fake or copy the digital footprints of other users.
This technology is vital for fraud detection and prevention systems. With Canvas fingerprinting, you can identify and flag suspicious activity or potentially fraudulent behavior, creating a unique identifier for each user.
Canvas digital footprints allow fraud detection systems to recognize repetitive patterns and identify anomalies that may indicate fraudulent and malicious activity.
Canvas Fingerprinting and User Consent
Canvas digital footprints are read invisibly for the user. Sites that use this method are encouraged to prioritize transparency and inform users about such data collection.However, this method of removing digital traces may not be subject to traditional cookie consent mechanisms. Therefore, sites should update their privacy policies and consent management mechanisms and include canvas fingerprinting technology in their data collection methods.
How fraudsters bypass Canvas fingerprinting
– Special extensions
To protect themselves from the collection of digital footprints by Canvas, users install browser extensions or use special online tools. These tools scan sites for fingerprinting and alert users to possible tracking activities.
- Browsers with anonymization function
One of the most effective ways attackers can use against collecting digital footprints is by visiting sites through Tor or Brave browsers. They have built-in functionality that blocks the collection of digital fingerprints through HTML5 canvas.
– VPN, disabling JavaScript, clearing cache
To prevent a site from reading digital footprints through the <canvas> tag, cybercriminals can use the browser's privacy settings to restrict access to the canvas, disable JavaScript and log in through VPN services, regularly clear the browser's cache and cookies.
