The more you block, the more unique you become, and the more finger printable you are. Every divination from a standard browser is another data point they can use to uniquely identify you. It’s possible to fingerprint someone even with JavaScript disabled. Tor got it right imo by making every instance of Tor look as identical as possible. That’s what we need to do. Idk I’m no expert but that’s what I think.
this post was submitted on 18 May 2025
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Privacy
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It's an upside and downside right, because every Tor user looking the same makes it very difficult to tell users apart, but it also makes it dead simple to know someone is using Tor and block them.
A better example would be if Apple could make every instance of Safari look identital. It’s too large a percentage of traffic to block. Sure Tor is more serious about privacy than Apple, but Apple imo has the best shot at pulling it off. Google is too anti Privacy and all the smaller projects don’t have the market share. Maybe FireFox, but I don’t keep up as much with them tbh.
Sorry to say but looks like you are investing a ton of resources for a behavior that is not very healthy.
I know it's tempting to go back but ponder why though.
Lemmy isn't perfect but maybe we can help do better, be better?
Is there anything I can use coupled with a VPN to block device fingerprinting, like software I can use on my phone.
Short answer: no. Due to the volume of data transmitted in an ordinary HTTP request, each point in that data set contributes to your uniqueness. You can use fingerprinting test sites to identify them and make yourself less unique.
In reality, there is very little application of this data. Major companies like Facebook and Google are using it, but if you're not visiting their sites, it's unlikely that it's going to matter. Mike's Used Appliances is not trying to fingerprint you.
Mike’s Used Appliances is not trying to fingerprint you.
Mike's Used Appliances might use Google Analytics though.
There are online SMS/email you can use. Still you can skip the verify step for the email. Letting an account age and gather some karma (with few comments to not trip spam filter) should help.
I'd go topublic WiFi before vpn
Go to a library, create an account on the public computer there with whatever email works. Creating accounts on VPNs with non-mainstream email addresses draws suspicion.
So create without VPN on a public computer with whatever email that wouldn't be connected with previous logins.
Would you say I shouldn't use the app on my phone anymore even through a VPN or stay on browser?
Just don't use a VPN when creating an account, since reddit will likely flag the account as a bot/spammer.
You can and should use a VPN normally after you've created the account. Might be smart to wait a week or so after making the account to start using it on your personal devices though, just to seem less suspicious. Also, make sure you have MAC address randomization and no stored cookies if using the account on the same devices that you used with your banned account.
Got it, thank you..I will win this war
jshelter extension in firefox
Most sites won't let you use them unless they can fingerprint you so that's how I know jshelter actually works 🐸
Using a VPN could be part of the reason, I imagine they don't like people making accounts using one.
The best way I can think of is go to a library or something that uses a standard browser with a normal fingerprint, and is not on a VPN, and try signing up for a new account there using a new email address on gmail/yahoo or another 'normal' email provider. You want to look like a normal average user.
All the anti-fingerprinting and privacy stuff just makes you stand out more because there is less data being presented and makes you wildly different from the average user.
I am not in person social person but I really need a sense of community which is what I used Reddit for.
You're on Lemmy which has some of that! Also worth joining some discord groups for things you're interested in, or matrix if they are active (not very common).