Posted on 01/31/2022 2:50:09 PM PST by BenLurkin
In a recent paper, the researchers—who hail from universities in Israel, Australia, and France—unveiled a unique device “fingerprinting” strategy that uses the properties of each user’s GPU stack to create distinct, trackable profiles.
For those who don’t know, fingerprinting is a form of web tracking—the ubiquitous practice whereby companies and third-parties monitor consumers in an effort to mitigate fraud, improve “customer experience,” and, oh yeah, sell you stuff.
Historically speaking, most companies have used cookies—which are tiny, identifying text files stored in your browser. But cookies have fallen on hard times lately, as recent privacy regulations—such as California’s CCPA or Europe’s GDPR—have forced them to be consensual rather than mandatory.
As a result, companies have sought alternative tracking methods, including browser and device fingerprinting, which uses data collected from a users’ browser, phone, or PC—such as browser configurations or device specifications—to create a trackable imprint.
Yet fingerprinting has one functional drawback, which is that it doesn’t work for very long.
The specifics of how all this works are a little complicated but, basically, the strategy involves collecting information on how long it takes for a device’s GPU to resolve certain visual elements using WebGL, a graphics rendering API that is present in all modern web browsers. Researchers say there are slight manufacturing differences between identical GPUs, the likes of which can be observed by watching how it interacts with WebGL. Researchers ultimately feed this GPU information and other device data into an algorithm, which then allows them to create a “reliable and robust device signature,” which they say can be used to track the device’s user around the web.
(Excerpt) Read more at gizmodo.com ...
Thats ok
I haven’t been able to buy a new one for a even close to normal price for over 2 years now...
Read later.
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