Browser fingerprinting
A technique resembling a detective's careful examination of clues, browser fingerprinting gathers unique characteristics of an individual's web browser to create a distinct profile, allowing websites and applications to identify and track users for various purposes, such as security, personalization, and targeted advertising.
Example
When a user visits a website, their web browser reveals certain information, such as the browser type and version, installed plugins, screen resolution, time zone, and available fonts. By collecting and analyzing these attributes, a website can create a unique browser fingerprint that can be used to identify the user on future visits. Advertisers might use browser fingerprints to track users' online behavior and serve targeted ads, while websites could leverage them for fraud detection, personalization, or to enforce restrictions on access or content.