ZME Science – Most users don’t even know this type of surveillance exists: “On the internet, it’s easy to feel anonymous. If you don’t log in, no one can see who you are; you can even switch to incognito mode. The more savvy user would say that’s not really enough. To be anonymous, you need to clear your cookies and use a privacy-oriented browser. But new research shows even that doesn’t work anymore. Websites are still tracking you — silently, persistently, and without your consent — by reading your browser’s unique “fingerprint.” “Think of it as a digital signature you didn’t know you were leaving behind,” explained co-author Zengrui Liu, a researcher who worked on the study. “You may look anonymous, but your device or browser gives you away.” Digital breadcrumbs – Cookies — the tiny data packets websites use to remember you — have long been the focus of privacy debates. But cookies are visible. You can clear them, block them, or refuse them altogether. Browser fingerprinting is different. It works in the shadows, without you actually doing anything. When you go on a website, your browser communicates some bits of information. It’s normally things like your time zone, screen resolution, or device model. That information helps the website display information properly. But it also forms a pattern, a sort of digital signature. Essentially, you leave behind a trail of digital breadcrumbs that’s as unique as a fingerprint…”