Browser·1,287 discussions

Info on webpage

Tags: Browser

Hi,

I would like to know what information does a site or a webpage receives when you connect to their site, do they get the IP address only, or do they the model of the computer and the username of the computer user also? Any other info? Also do they see with which browser you are connecting?

Also is there a way so that the website does not receive info about you when you connect?

Thank you

Topic

Well discussed.

In reply to Info on webpage

Nod to articles such as https://www.howtogeek.com/115483/htg-explains-learn-how-websites-are-tracking-you-online/

1. IP? Yes.
2. Model of the computer? No but read the article about Browser Fingerprinting.
3. Username? No.
4. Which Browser. Almost always yes.
5. How to restrict info?
a. Read the limits of Private Browsing at https://www.howtogeek.com/117776/htg-explains-how-private-browsing-works-and-why-it-doesnt-offer-complete-privacy/ (short answer, not complete.)
b. Consider TOR browsing: https://www.reddit.com/r/TOR/comments/7mrcl9/will_tor_hide_my_ip_address_if_i_use_my_wifi_at/ which also covers why VPN is not as good as it seems.

More at https://privacy.net/what-is-tor/

Precision

In reply to Info on webpage

Thanks a lot for your answer. Can a website detect if you’re in incognito mode or it’s just your computer that can recognize it?

I don’t see why not.

In reply to Precision

But hey, here’s a technical answer from Gizmodo.com.

“How do websites know I’m in private mode?
One reason might be that, according to a security researcher, it’s possible to detect private browsing by noting how much space the FileSystem API makes available. Apparently, Incognito Mode puts a hard 120MB limit to the amount of temporary storage on the FileSystem API”

There’s other ways but a google search finds more so I’ll stop here.

I’m[b] Not Sure [/b](Idiocracy reference?) how deep you need to go here.

ok

In reply to I don’t see why not.

Sorry I thought it wouldn’t be found on the net as it’s pretty specific so I didn’t had the idea to search on this one.

Thanks for your answer.

Can a website know if you have deleted the cookies between one visit to another? And can a website know that you’re using an anti-track software?

Thanks

For the cookie question.

In reply to ok

Nod to “Browser Fingerprinting” noted in the article in my first reply.

For about anti-tracking, we are mostly looking at these results:
https://www.google.com/search?q=Detecting+Anti-fingerprinting+Browsers

Remember that I can’t write a dissertation here. But can I ask why you haven’t moved to say the Tor browser?

Infoo

In reply to Info on webpage

Information such as the computer’s IP address, domain name (e.g., .com, .gov, or .edu), software details, and page visit information is often saved in cookies so that the organization may develop and store user profiles of website visitors. If a website uses cookies, the organization may be able to collect even more information, such as your browsing patterns, which include other sites you’ve visited.

If the site you’re visiting is malicious, the files on your computer, as well as passwords stored in the temporary memory, may be at risk. Generally, organizations use the information that is gathered automatically for legitimate purposes, such as generating statistics about their sites. Be careful supplying personal information. Unless you trust a site, don’t give your address, password, or credit card information. Look for indications that the site uses SSL to encrypt your information. Although some sites require you to supply your Social Security number (e.g., sites associated with financial transactions such as loans or credit cards), be especially wary of providing this information online.

[Author]

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