https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/firefox-protection-against-fingerprinting * Skip to main content * Switch language * Skip to search Mozilla Support Logo Search Menu Avatar for Username * Get Help Close Firefox menu Ask a Question Get support from our contributors or staff members. + Firefox Browser + Mozilla VPN + Firefox for iOS + Firefox Focus + Firefox for Android + Browse All Products Explore Our Help Articles Dig into the knowledge base, tips and tricks, troubleshooting, and so much more. + Firefox Browser + Mozilla VPN + Firefox for iOS + Firefox Focus + Firefox for Android + Browse All Articles * Volunteer * [ ] Search * Sign In/Up [ ] Search Search Support [ ] Search 1. Home 2. Firefox 3. Protect your privacy 4. Tracking protection 5. Firefox's protection against fingerprinting [ ] Search * + Customize this article [*] Firefox [Version 99 ] [Windows 8 ] Was this article helpful? Yes No Please wait... [2020-] Download Firefox * Systems and Languages * What's New * Privacy Give Firefox a tune up Refresh Firefox * How does it work? * Download a fresh copy Firefox's protection against fingerprinting Like other browsers, Firefox's functionality is influenced by your operating system, hardware, graphics cards, additional software, and even the fonts you install. Some website technologies, like HTML5 Canvas, can even uniquely identify you based on how your computer draws images. Some websites, particularly those using HTML5 Canvas, look at this unique combination of factors and assign you a number, or a "fingerprint", which makes you identifiable across the Web. This "fingerprint" is potentially used to profile you for targeted content without the use of cookies. Firefox already has an Enhanced Tracking Protectiona Content Blocking feature that blocks a list of known "fingerprinters" when your privacy settings are set to Standard (the default) or Strict. Fingerprinting Protection is a different, experimental feature under heavy development in Firefox. It is likely that it may degrade your Web experience so we recommend it only for those willing to test experimental features. How am I protected? If a website tries to extract your data, Firefox will warn you with a prompt in the address bar. You can choose whether to allow the website to extract your data. This is the most common way to observe this protection. fingerprint promptFx75-HTML5Canvas However, the Canvas Permission Prompt is not the only thing that Fingerprinting Protection is doing. Fingerprinting Detection changes how you are detected online: * Your timezone is reported to be UTC * Not all fonts installed on your computer are available to webpages * The browser window prefers to be set to a specific size * Your browser reports a specific, common version number and operating system * Your keyboard layout and language is disguised * Your webcam and microphone capabilities are disguised * The Media Statistics Web API reports misleading information * Any Site-Specific Zoom settings are not applied * The WebSpeech, Gamepad, Sensors, and Performance Web APIs are disabled This is not an exhaustive list - other features may be altered or disabled. How do I enable or disable this protection? Currently, Fingerprinting Protection is an experimental feature enabled by a confirmation flag set in about:config. It can also be enabled by Web Extensions. Warning: Changing advanced preferences can affect Firefox's stability and security. This is recommended for advanced users only. 1. Type about:config in the address bar and press EnterReturn. A warning page may appear. Click Accept the Risk and Continue to go to the about:config page. 2. Search for privacy.resistFingerprinting and see if it is bolded and set to true. If so, you, or an extension you installed, has enabled this preference. You can double-click the preference or click the Toggle Fx71aboutconfig-ToggleButton button to toggle the setting. If you discover the setting has become re-enabled, it is likely a Web Extension you have installed is setting it for you. Was this article helpful? Yes No Please wait... These fine people helped write this article: AliceWyman, Wesley Branton, Joni, tomrittervg, user1632815 Illustration of hands Volunteer Grow and share your expertise with others. Answer questions and improve our knowledge base. 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