Websites can still track you despite using a VPN through techniques such as:
- Browser fingerprinting
- Cookies/Supercookies
- Canvas fingerprinting
By using these methods, websites can gain valuable insights about your online behaviors and interests, even if you thought you were invisible behind your VPN shield.
In an era where online privacy is increasingly important, many internet users turn to Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to protect their activities from prying eyes.
VPNs create a secure connection between your device and the internet, encrypting your data and masking your IP address.
But what if we told you that even with VPN protection, websites still manage to track your every move? It may sound like a paradox, but it’s true.
Join us on this eye-opening journey as we explore the methods used by websites to bypass VPNs and uncover the hidden ways they track your digital footprints.
3 Methods Websites Use to Track Users Despite Using VPN
Websites employ various methods to track user activity, allowing them to gather valuable insights about their visitors. One such method is the use of cookies, small text files that are placed on your device to store information about your browsing habits.
Another stronger version of cookies is known as Supercookies. Refer to the table below to know the differences between cookies and supercookies.
| Feature | Cookies | Supercookies |
| Definition | Small data files stored on the user’s device by websites to track browsing activity and remember user preferences. | More powerful tracking mechanisms that are stored at the ISP level or use unique identifiers that persist across different networks. |
| Storage Location | Stored on the user’s device (browser). | Stored outside the user’s device, often at the ISP level, or embedded in HTTP headers. |
| User Control | Users can view, manage, and delete cookies through their browser settings. | Much harder to detect and remove; standard browser privacy settings and tools may not be effective against supercookies. |
| Persistence | Can be persistent but often have a set expiration date after which they are deleted. | Designed to be more persistent and can remain active even after attempts to delete regular cookies. |
| Privacy Concerns | Raise privacy concerns due to tracking across websites, but users have some level of control. | Raise significant privacy concerns due to their persistent nature and the difficulty in avoiding or removing them. |
| Purpose | Primarily used for tracking user preferences, login states, and browsing sessions. | Often used for more invasive tracking and data collection practices, including across different networks and devices. |
These cookies and supercookies can track your movement across different websites, enabling advertisers to serve you targeted ads based on your interests.
Another technique used by websites is browser fingerprinting. This method involves collecting information about your browser and device settings, such as the version of your browser, the operating system you’re using, and the installed plugins.
Let’s get to know them in detail.
Browser Fingerprinting
Using the browser fingerprinting method, websites can collect information about your browser and device settings to create a unique digital fingerprint.
This fingerprint can be used to track your online activities across different websites, even if you’re using a VPN.
By analyzing variables such as your browser version, installed plugins, and screen resolution, websites can create a profile that is difficult to distinguish from other users.
Cookies/Supercookies
Unlike regular cookies, which can be easily deleted, supercookies are stored in multiple locations on your device, making them more persistent.
These cookies can track your online activities even if you clear your browser cookies or use private browsing modes.
Supercookies can also be used to identify users across different devices, allowing websites to build a comprehensive profile of your online behavior.
Canvas Fingerprinting
Canvas fingerprinting technique involves using the HTML5 canvas element to gather information about your browser and device.
By drawing a hidden image or text on the canvas and analyzing the resulting image data, websites can create a unique fingerprint that can be used to track your activities.
Canvas fingerprinting is particularly difficult to detect and block, making it a popular choice among websites looking to bypass VPN protection.
VPNs And Their Role In Online Privacy
Virtual Private Networks, or VPNs, play a crucial role in safeguarding online privacy, which is available for all devices be it Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac.
When you connect to a VPN, your internet traffic is encrypted and routed through a server located in a different geographic location.
This masks your IP address and makes it appear as if you’re browsing from a different location. VPNs also provide an additional layer of security by encrypting your data, making it difficult for anyone to intercept and decipher your online communications.
VPNs are particularly useful for protecting your privacy when using public Wi-Fi networks, as they prevent hackers and cybercriminals from intercepting your data.
They also allow you to bypass geographical restrictions, giving you access to content that may be blocked in your region. So, using a secure and trustworthy VPN is a must.
However, while VPNs are effective in many ways if you don’t take precautions, they won’t be sufficient when it comes to protecting your online activities.
Limitations Of VPNs In Protecting User Activity
While VPNs offer enhanced privacy and security, they are not designed to eliminate website tracking completely. When you visit a website, your browser sends a variety of information, including your IP address, to the site’s server.
Although a VPN masks your IP address, it still needs to provide the website with an IP address to establish the connection.
This means that websites can still identify your VPN usage, even if they can’t directly link it to your real IP address.
In addition, some websites utilize advanced tracking techniques that can bypass VPN protection. These techniques include browser fingerprinting, supercookies, and canvas fingerprinting, which we will explore in more detail in the following sections.
It’s important to be aware of these limitations and take additional steps to protect your online privacy. Now, let’s look at the data collection and tracking methods of a website.
User Data Collection And Tracking Methods
Websites collect user data for a variety of purposes, ranging from improving user experience to targeted advertising.
One of the popular methods is cookies, as we already discussed earlier. Some of the other common methods used to track user activity include:
- Web beacons: Also known as pixel tags or clear gifs, web beacons are tiny, invisible images embedded in web pages or emails.
When you visit a website or open an email containing a web beacon, it sends information back to the website or email sender, allowing them to track your interactions with the service.
For example, using web beacons, email marketers can check whether you’ve opened or clicked on their email or not.
- Analytic tools: Websites often use analytics tools, such as Google Analytics, to gather information about their visitors. These tools provide insights into metrics such as page views, session duration, and traffic sources, helping website owners understand user behavior and make data-driven decisions.
For example, marketing analytics involves analyzing user data and interaction to design ad campaigns and strategies effectively.
Risks And Implications Of Website Tracking
Website tracking raises several privacy concerns and can have significant implications for users. Some of the risks associated with website tracking include.
Risk 1: Targeted advertising
Websites track your online activities to serve you targeted ads based on your interests and browsing history. While some users may appreciate personalized ads, others find them invasive and feel that their privacy is being violated.
Risk 2: Data breaches
Collecting and storing user data makes websites more susceptible to data breaches. If a website’s database is compromised, your personal information and browsing history could end up in the wrong hands.
Risk 3: Identity theft
The information gathered through website tracking can be used to build a profile of your online behavior, making you vulnerable to identity theft. Cybercriminals can use this information to impersonate you or gain unauthorized access to your accounts.
3 Tips to Protect Your Online Activity Beyond VPNs
While VPNs provide a layer of protection, there are additional steps you can take to enhance your online privacy:
- Use privacy-focused browsers: Consider using browsers that prioritize user privacy, such as Mozilla Firefox or Brave.
These browsers offer features like built-in ad blockers and enhanced tracking protection, making it harder for websites to track your activities.
- Install browser extensions: There are various browser extensions available that can help block website tracking.
Popular options include uBlock Origin and HTTPS Everywhere. These extensions prevent websites from collecting your data and block intrusive ads.
- Regularly clear your cookies: Clearing your browser cookies can help limit website tracking. You can manually delete cookies through your browser settings or use extensions that automatically clear cookies upon closing your browser.
Best Practices For Maintaining Online Privacy
To maintain online privacy and protect your personal information, consider following these best practices:
- Keep your software up to date: Regularly updating your operating system, browser, and other software ensures that you have the latest security patches. This helps protect you from known vulnerabilities that could be exploited by hackers.
- Use strong, unique passwords: Utilize strong passwords that are difficult to guess and avoid reusing passwords across multiple accounts. Consider using a password manager to store and generate complex passwords securely.
- Be mindful of the information you share: Be cautious about sharing personal information online, especially on social media platforms. Limit the amount of personal information you provide and review the privacy settings on your accounts to control who can access your information.
Final Thoughts
We tried to answer the question can you be tracked using a vpn. To conclude, websites have developed sophisticated techniques to track user activity, even in the presence of VPN protection.
Methods such as browser fingerprinting, supercookies, and canvas fingerprinting allow websites to gain valuable insights into your online behaviors and interests.
While VPNs offer enhanced privacy and security, they are not foolproof when it comes to protecting your online activities from website tracking.
To protect your online privacy, it’s important to be aware of the limitations of VPNs and take additional steps to secure your internet activities.
