Your browser knows more about you than you think. Here's what you can do with it

There are different types of data gathering that can not even prevent the VPN-services. Here are the main ones.

What data can collect browser

1. Filling devices and software

The browser knows which plugins are installed on it, and what is your operating system. As for iron, the program collects information about the CPU, graphics card and the battery.

2. Connection information

In your browser have some information about your internet connection. This includes IP-address and the speed of file downloads.

3. location

Or that the site can accurately determine your geolocation, even if you did not give him access to to GPS-coordinates. It uses the Geolocation API from Google. Regardless of which device you are logged into the network, the browser will provide information about the location with an accuracy of about 50 km.

Since this can be countered by Proxy Servers. There are plenty of free options.

4. History

The most obvious option data, which collects browser - history visits. Of course, it can be cleaned, but even so there is a full guarantee of safety. For example, in the middle of this year it became known that Google is in any case keeps some information about the screenings from Chrome.

5. mouse movements

The browser can tell even how you move the mouse cursor and clicks on how different elements of web resources. To see how this works, you can use the site ClickClickClick.

6. Orientation device

Almost all modern smartphones are equipped with a gyroscope. It is used in fitness applications, and other similar services.

Your browser sees whether there is a device, gyro and compass orientation and what is currently installed - horizontal or vertical. Also on the list are present and some other technical details.

The program can even predict, which is a smartphone, for example in your pocket, in your bag or on your desk.

7. Used social networks

Information on how to what social network you entered is also saved. The browser is able to compare these data with other advertisers to know the most about your interests.

8. Fonts and language

The app knows what fonts are installed on the computer. The same applies to the language that is used by the operating system.

9. Image data

When you upload photos to the Web, or even some image browser scans the file metadata. These can include the location, image resolution, the technical details of the file, and even camera model on which the picture was taken.

10. Technical information

Browser collects a lot of other, more specific data. This may be information about the presence or absence of a touch screen, display size, and more.

How to check which collects data browser

There are two web-based tool, which for this purpose will fit. Both are free.

1. WebKay

The site scans your browser and tells what information the program can provide other resources. Data are broken down into categories, each of which displays recommendations for improvement.

WebKay →

2. Panopticlick

Tool from the American non-profit organization "Foundation Electronic Frontier", which protects laid down in the Constitution and the Declaration of the rights of American independence in connection with the advent of new technologies communication. Panopticlick determine whether your browser is subject to the risk of "spying on the web without permission."

The system will show which aspects of the browser are protected, and what - no. Clicking on the Show full results for fingerprinting button below the table, you can see how unique "fingerprint" of your program among those that have been tested over the past 45 days.

Panopticlick →

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In order to protect themselves while using the Internet, you can use one of the browsers for anonymous surfing. Do not forget that the extensions can also collect data about you and harm in other ways. For information on how to calculate the dangerous plugins already Layfhaker I told Chrome for example.