Web Browser Property Obfuscation for Privacy Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for cross-domain tracking, such as cookie technology, are disrupted by privacy-conscious users deleting cookies, prompting analytics and advertising companies to shift towards identifying and tracking users through web browser properties, making it difficult for users to prevent tracking without changing browsers.
Innovation Solution
An obfuscation method and system that identifies the active web browser, generates a random set of compatible properties using an algorithm, and integrates these with the true properties to create an obfuscated property set, which is then communicated to web servers, preventing accurate identification and tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If analytics companies use web browser properties for tracking instead of cookies, then tracking precision is improved, but user privacy protection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary obfuscation layer between the web browser and analytics companies. This intermediary generates and transmits fake browser properties that mask the true browser characteristics, preventing analytics companies from accurately identifying and tracking users while allowing legitimate web functionality to proceed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates copies of browser properties that are intentionally distorted. Instead of transmitting actual browser fingerprints, the system generates synthetic property sets that mimic the structure and format of genuine browser data but contain obfuscated or fabricated values, making tracking ineffective
2Object-affected harmful factors
If users delete cookies to prevent tracking, then privacy protection is improved, but tracking effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary obfuscation of browser properties before they are transmitted to analytics companies. By pre-modifying the browser fingerprint data and replacing it with fake properties, the system prevents tracking from the outset, making subsequent deletion actions unnecessary for privacy protection
3Measurement precision
If analytics companies collect detailed browser properties, then data collection accuracy is improved, but difficulty of preventing tracking deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the normal data flow by having the browser send obfuscated properties instead of true properties. Rather than trying to prevent collection and then dealing with the consequences, the system proactively transmits fabricated data that appears complete and accurate but contains no real identifying information, making tracking prevention easier for users
Data Source
AI summary
A method for obfuscating the properties of a web browser includes identifying an active web browser and generating random assortments of properties compatible with the web browser. The generated random properties are then integrated with the true properties of the web browser to provide an obfuscated property set that, on request by a web server, may be communicated to the web server.