CanvasBlocker

CanvasBlocker

Alters some JS APIs to prevent fingerprinting.

What is CanvasBlocker?
CanvasBlocker is a proactive Firefox add-on that aims to significantly improve your online privacy by manipulating JavaScript APIs, thus preventing intrusive fingerprinting techniques. It gives you the freedom to block these APIs completely for specific websites, or fake their fingerprint-friendly readout API, effectively altering the values obtained and ensuring a consistent fingerprinting is not possible. From 'Canvas 2D' and 'WebGL' to 'Audio' and 'History', it offers protection across many fingerprinting APIs. Users can also adjust the blocking modes according to their needs.
Merlin
Stats
By: kkapsner
Version: 1.10.1 (Last updated: 2024-04-15)
Creation date: 2014-08-04
Weekly download count: 1,755
Firefox on Android: Yes
Risk impact: High risk impact
Risk likelihood: Very low risk likelihood
Manifest version: 2
Permissions:
  • <all_urls>
  • storage
  • tabs
  • webRequest
  • webRequestBlocking
  • contextualIdentities
  • cookies
  • privacy
Size: 443.34K
Stats date:

Other platforms

Not available on Chrome
Not available on Edge
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Merlin
Summary

This add-on allows users to prevent websites from using some Javascript APIs to fingerprint them. Users can choose to block the APIs entirely on some or all websites (which may break some websites) or fake its fingerprinting-friendly readout API.

If you encounter any problems please check the FAQ first. Please report issues and feature requests at https://github.com/kkapsner/CanvasBlocker/issues

IMPORTANT: you should only have ONE addon/setting set that protects an API. Otherwise you could face massive performance issues. (E.g. EclipsedMoon for Palemoon has 'canvas.poison' which is known to cause issues: https://github.com/kkapsner/CanvasBlocker/issues/253#issuecomment-459499290) But setting privacy.resistFingerprinting to true and/or using the new fingerprinting protection introduced with Firefox 67 is fine.

Protected "fingerprinting" APIs:

  • canvas 2d
  • webGL
  • audio
  • history
  • window (disabled by default)
  • DOMRect
  • navigator (disabled by default)
  • screen
More information on fingerprinting can be found at: The different block modes are:
  • fake: Canvas Blocker's default setting, and my favorite! All websites not on the white list or black list can use the protected APIs. But values obtained by the APIs are altered so that a consistent fingerprinting is not possible
  • ask for permission: If a website is not listed on the white list or black list, the user will be asked if the website should be allowed to use the protected APIs each time they are called.
  • block everything: Ignore all lists and block the protected APIs on all websites.
  • allow only white list: Only websites in the white list are allowed to use the protected APIs.
  • block only black list: Block the protected APIs only for websites on the black list.
  • allow everything: Ignore all lists and allow the protected APIs on all websites.

User reviews
User reviews summary
These summaries are automatically generated weekly using AI based on recent user reviews. Firefox Browser Add-ons does not verify user reviews, so some user reviews may be inaccurate, spammy, or outdated.
Pros
  • Effectively blocks canvas fingerprinting
  • Useful in combination with other privacy add-ons
  • Helpful for strict mode on Enhanced Tracking Protection
Cons
  • High CPU usage on some websites
  • May cause slow down on certain websites
  • Limited impact on randomizing fingerprint compared to other browsers
Most mentioned
  • Effectiveness in blocking canvas fingerprinting
  • Compatibility and impact on browser performance
  • Usefulness in combination with other privacy add-ons
Recent reviews
Overall works well BUT, when protecting Navigator (choosing a different OS or browser, any of the 2) it is caught by https://iphey.com/

Memory leaks.
by ValorBalorbus, 2024-04-22

View all user reviews
Safety
Risk impact

CanvasBlocker is risky to use as it requires a number of sensitive permissions that can potentially harm your browser and steal your data. Exercise caution when installing this add-on. Review carefully before installing. We recommend that you only install CanvasBlocker if you trust the publisher.

Risk likelihood

CanvasBlocker has earned a good reputation and can be trusted.

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Screenshots