Browser Container Isolation for Web Tracking Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for protecting user privacy during internet browsing sessions, such as deleting browser cookies and fake browsing history, often result in usability issues and fail to effectively prevent web tracking, as some trackers can distinguish between real and fake sessions.
Innovation Solution
The system detects private domains, separates user browsing states using browser containers, routes website requests randomly to servers, and performs security actions to discard browsing state data and mix browser fingerprint data, thereby protecting against cross-website tracking and malicious attacks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional methods delete all browser cookies to protect privacy, then user tracking is reduced, but usability deteriorates due to lost browser states
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments browser containers into isolated units, each handling specific domains or purposes. This allows selective cookie management where cookies are preserved within containers rather than deleted globally, maintaining usability while reducing tracking across different browsing contexts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different privacy protection levels to different browsing contexts. High-privacy containers discard cookies after sessions, while low-privacy containers retain cookies for usability. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by optimizing both tracking protection and usability in appropriate contexts.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If fake browsing history is added to defend against fingerprinting, then some privacy protection is achieved, but effectiveness deteriorates as trackers can distinguish real from fake sessions
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of creating fake browsing history to mimic real behavior, the patent inverts the approach by making real browsing history untraceable through container isolation and random routing. The system protects privacy by preventing tracking rather than by deception, achieving more reliable protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces browser containers as intermediaries between the user's real browsing activity and external trackers. These containers act as mediators that isolate and protect real browsing history, making it unavailable to trackers while maintaining normal browsing functionality.
3Ease of operation
If user browsing state data is retained for stateful browsing functionality, then usability is maintained, but cross-website tracking increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments browsing state data into container-isolated units. Each container maintains its own browsing state for domains it manages, enabling stateful functionality within containers while preventing cross-container tracking. This segmentation allows cookies to be preserved for usability without enabling cross-website tracking.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed computer-implemented method for protecting user data privacy against web tracking during browsing sessions may include (i) detecting a user request, including a private domain, for a website in a web browser address bar during a browsing session, (ii) separating, utilizing a browser container, a user browsing state associated with the private domain from other domains during the browsing session, (iii) routing the user website request to one or more servers in a random order to run the browsing session, (iv) performing a browsing state security action that protects against cross-website tracking by discarding user browsing state data collected during the browsing session, and (v) performing a web isolation security action that protects against use of browser fingerprint data for conducting malicious attacks based on the routing of the user website request to the servers in the random order. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.