Prevent HTML canvas element from generating a unique identification key to protect user's privacy

Latest Version

Version
0.2.0
Update
November 2, 2023
Size
59.76KiB
Developer
Category
Users
30,000+
Rating
4.075 ★
Manifest Version
3
Web Store Status
Languages Support
English
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Permissions
Notifications
Storage
ContextMenus
Scripting
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Canvas Blocker - Fingerprint Protect Extension

This browser extension safeguards user privacy by preventing malicious scripts from using the HTML canvas element for user fingerprinting. It introduces slight changes to the data generated by the canvas element when specific methods are invoked, rendering it unusable for fingerprinting. In comparison to similar extensions, this one is lighter and employs a more efficient method to obstruct fingerprinting across all frame elements (top and subframes). The extension operates in three modes:

1. Random noise
2. Random noise (per page) to maintain a consistent identity within the current page session
3. Fixed noise to sustain a constant yet unique identity continuously

Key Features:
1. Minimal footprint fingerprint defender
2. Ability to block or disable fingerprinting on specific hostnames
3. Notification when canvas fingerprinting is detected
4. Option to disable notification for select or all hostnames
5. Compatibility with cross-origin (CORS) and sandboxed iframes (such as Disqus and Hangouts)

Notes:
This extension doesn't entirely block the canvas element. Instead, it modifies two methods to prevent the JavaScript engine from creating a unique identification key from this element.

What is Canvas Fingerprinting:
Canvas fingerprinting is a method among several browser fingerprinting techniques used for tracking online users. It enables websites to identify and monitor visitors by leveraging the HTML5 canvas element rather than browser cookies or similar means. This technique functions by exploiting the HTML5 canvas element. When a user visits a webpage, the fingerprinting script initially writes text using the preferred font and size and adds background colors. Subsequently, the script calls the Canvas API's ToDataURL method to retrieve canvas pixel data in dataURL format, essentially a Base64 encoded representation of binary pixel data. Lastly, the script hashes the text-encoded pixel data, creating a unique fingerprint.
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Source Manifest.json

{"update_url": "https://clients2.google.com/service/update2/crx", "manifest_version": 3, "version": "0.2.0", "name": "Canvas Blocker - Fingerprint Protect", "description": "Prevent HTML canvas element from generating a unique identification key to protect user's privacy", "icons": { "16": "/data/icons/16.png", "32": "/data/icons/32.png", "48": "/data/icons/48.png", "64": "/data/icons/64.png", "128": "/data/icons/128.png", "256": "/data/icons/256.png", "512": "/data/icons/512.png" }, "permissions": [ "notifications", "storage", "contextMenus", "scripting" ], "host_permissions": [ "*://*/*" ], "homepage_url": "https://webextension.org/listing/canvas-fingerprint-blocker.html", "background": { "service_worker": "worker.js" }, "action": {}, "options_ui": { "open_in_tab": true, "page": "/data/options/index.html" }, "content_scripts": [{ "world": "MAIN", "matches":["*://*/*"], "match_about_blank": true, "match_origin_as_fallback": true, "all_frames": true, "run_at": "document_start", "js": ["/data/inject/main.js"] }, { "world": "ISOLATED", "matches":["*://*/*"], "match_about_blank": true, "match_origin_as_fallback": true, "all_frames": true, "run_at": "document_start", "js": ["/data/inject/isolated.js"] }]}
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How to download and manually install Canvas Blocker - Fingerprint Protect extension for Chrome

Looking for a way to install Canvas Blocker - Fingerprint Protect extensions for Chrome, you can search for them in the Chrome Web Store, clicking the "Add to Chrome" button, and following the straightforward process.

However, you may need to install Canvas Blocker - Fingerprint Protect extensions manually, this article outlines two simple methods to effortlessly install Canvas Blocker - Fingerprint Protect extensions, whether they come as unpacked folders in compressed formats like .zip or as .crx files.

Method 1: Download Canvas Blocker - Fingerprint Protect extension and manually install through Drag &Drop

If you ever need to manually install a Canvas Blocker - Fingerprint Protect extension for Chrome, don't worry, it's a simple process. Just follow these easy steps, and you will have your extension ready to use in no time.

Step 1: Download the Canvas Blocker - Fingerprint Protect Extension by clicking the "Download CRX" button on the website.

Look for the Canvas Blocker - Fingerprint Protect extension you wish to install. Go to the website and download the Canvas Blocker - Fingerprint Protect extension package, which is usually a .CRX file and comes in a zipped file. Here ".crx" file is the format for Canvas Blocker - Fingerprint Protect extension that contains all the data.

Step 2: Extract &Arrange Files

Once the file is downloaded, extract that file into its own folder. Similarly, give that extension files a permanent home. In other words, keep it in a folder that you don't accidentally delete it because these files will be needed to make that extension work.

Step 3: Go to the Chrome Extensions Page

Open Google Chrome and in the address bar, type chrome://extensions; it will open the Google Chrome extensions page. Make sure that "My extensions" is selected in the sidebar.

Step 4: Drag and Drop the Extension

Now, go to the folder where you extracted the Canvas Blocker - Fingerprint Protect extension and drag &drop the extension file from there anywhere onto the extension page within Google Chrome.

Step 5: Complete the Installation

Once you drag and drop the extension file, follow the steps that Google Chrome takes you through. Similarly, if the extension file is of .crx file format, you will be required to review the permissions and then add the extension.

Now, you can manage that added extension as you would like to with any other Chrome extension that you added through Chrome Webstore. Its icon will also appear in the Google Chrome Menu on the right side of the address bar once you activate it.

Method 2: Download Canvas Blocker - Fingerprint Protect extension for Chrome and install in Developer Mode

This is another method to install Canvas Blocker - Fingerprint Protect extension manually, but the twist is that here, you install by enabling the developer mode option provided in Google Chrome. This mode is commonly used for testing extensions or running unpublished tools.

Step 1: Download the Canvas Blocker - Fingerprint Protect extension file

Select and download the Canvas Blocker - Fingerprint Protect extension by clicking the 'Download CRX' button on the website.

Step 2: Extract the downloaded contents

Convert the file to a ZIP file if it is in CRX format then extract the Canvas Blocker - Fingerprint Protect extension zip file or folder that you downloaded. Make sure you extract it using the same folder name and keep it safely in another folder, so you don't delete it by mistake. The extracted folder will be needed to keep your Canvas Blocker - Fingerprint Protect extension running.

Step 3: Open Chrome Extension Setting Page

In the address bar of Google Chrome, type chrome://extensions and open the Chrome Extension Page.

Step 4: Enable Developer Mode

After opening the Chrome Extension page, look at the top right side, and you will find the toggle option of "Developer mode."Simply enable that developer mode option.

Step 5: Load the Unpacked Extension

Once you enable the developer mode option, you will see the menu of Load Unpacked, Pack Extensions and Update. From that, select the option "Load unpacked."

Step 6: Select the Extension Folder

Once the pop-up opens upon clicking Load unpacked, select the Canvas Blocker - Fingerprint Protect extension directory and click on the "Select Folder "button.

Step 7: Confirm and Install

After you select an extension folder of a Google Chrome extension you're installing manually, confirm its installation for the final time and let the installation complete.

Conclusion

Here we've made a step-by-step guide on How to manually install Canvas Blocker - Fingerprint Protect extension in 2 ways. We hope this guide proves helpful.

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User reviews

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Tom Landi (ID: 0000005ee1d5a235) Voted 1 ★ - Updated 09/06/2022 Fixed Fingerprint - This option isn't useful at all. You do NOT get randomnized Fixed Fingerprint by enabling this option. Your Fingerprint is same for ALL chrome based browser run within the same computer. You can test it using Comodo Dragon (chrome based) or portable version of Chrome.

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Crunch Berry (ID: 0000007e91db8dd9) Voted 1 ★ - Updated 06/22/2022 Doesn't work. Still have a unique fingerprint.

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Евгений Расторгуев (ID: 000000c206b86921) Voted 3 ★ - Updated 09/19/2021 я не могу понят разницы между двумя первыми режимами - по логике - первый должен всегда при запросе отпечатка выдавать разные при каждом запросе, второй должен сделать новый при входе на сайт и все время его выдавать при запросах, третий режим выдает оригинальный отпечаток. Так вот второй режим у меня всегда дает рандомные отпечатки, а почему? либо я не понимаю, что такое "per session"

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Van Tung Tran (ID: 000000a3fff9a6cc) Voted 3 ★ - Updated 08/02/2021 First of all, Thanks for making a great tool! But, but if you have multi profiles of Chrome and install this extension to these profiles and using "Fixed Fingerprint" mode in setting of extension, the Fingerprint code is the same on all profiles. Finally, The "Fixed Fingerprint" feature work wrong on multi profiles. Please fix this.

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R. Y (ID: 0000002dc75570bf) Voted 4 ★ - Updated 06/09/2021 It's an awesome extension, just please, let us be able to disable notifcations, they get really annoying.