Browser Fingerprinting Protection: Randomize, Blend In or Block

Browser fingerprinting protection comes in three forms: blending in, keeping values unstable, or blocking. Brave takes the simplest approach by telling browsers it uses Brave for both the vendor and renderer. This makes fingerprints distinctive but stable across sessions, preventing trackers from identifying users. To add more protection, Brave adds random "noise" to graphics and audio data, changing it for each site session.

However, the noise is subtle so it doesn't affect the user experience. Other browsers take different methods. Firefox blocks known fingerprinting scripts and adds some randomization to canvas exports. In private windows, Firefox adds more noise to make fingerprints less distinctive. Safari blocks known fingerprinting scripts in every window and adds noise to canvas, WebGL, and audio values in private windows.

Tor Browser takes a blending approach, using the same user agent and blocking canvas reading. This makes users appear in the same group rather than as individuals. Mullvad Browser also blends in using similar techniques without needing Tor. LibreWolf drops WebGL support and limits language to English so fingerprints are more generic.

DuckDuckGo blocks scripts on fingerprinting lists and modifies APIs that reveal information. Edge removes details from the User-Agent string but leaves canvas, GPU, and audio values unchanged. Incognito mode doesn't provide enhanced protection in Edge. Opera and Vivaldi use fingerprinting blocker lists but don't have specific protection built-in.

Overall, the choice of protection depends on the desired balance between privacy and compatibility with websites.