Similar to how our fingerprints leave a distinct impression with loops, whorls and arches, web browsers leave behind unique markers when connecting to websites. These fingerprints are a combination of browser type and version, operating system, screen resolution, installed plugins, fonts, time zone and language settings. Browser fingerprinting uses these signals to create a profile of a user’s device which is used for tracking the visitor across multiple browsing sessions and for preventing fraud attacks.
Browser fingerprinting for preventing fraud attacks is a non-invasive, accurate way to identify visitors without collecting any personal data. The fingerprint generated doesn’t change even after the user clears cookies, surfs incognito or changes networks.
Cons: Fraudsters know this, so they are more likely to use privacy-focused browsers, extensions that block fingerprinting or use proxies and VPNs to hide their devices. These tactics can trick detection systems into suspecting suspicious activity.
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Browser fingerprinting can be combined with other security measures such as two-factor authentication. When a fingerprint matches a known fraudulent profile, additional verification is triggered.
Fingerprinting can also be leveraged in detecting account takeover (ATO), a common form of malicious behavior where fraudsters hijack the identity of trusted users and login to a website to steal their information. In these cases, fingerprinting is able to verify that the fingerprint is being used by a trusted user and triggers additional security steps such as two-factor authentication or blocking the device from accessing the website. This helps prevent fraudsters from taking over accounts and monetizing stolen information.…