6 Types of Online Fingerprinting a VPN Can’t Block (And How to Fix It)

You might think a VPN makes you invisible online, but the truth is, websites can still track you through a technique called fingerprinting. Even the best VPN can’t hide everything. In this article, we’ll uncover six types of online fingerprinting that slip past VPNs, and show you how to fight back—starting with a budget-friendly VPN that costs just $1 for 30 days at VPNPROUS.

1. Canvas Fingerprinting

Canvas fingerprinting is one of the most common tracking methods. A website draws an invisible image on your browser’s HTML5 canvas element and then reads the pixels. Because your graphics card, browser, and operating system render the image slightly differently, the result is a unique fingerprint.

How to fix it: Use a browser extension like Canvas Blocker that adds noise to the canvas API, or switch to a privacy-focused browser like Firefox with resist fingerprinting enabled. Note that a VPN won’t help here—your canvas remains the same regardless of your IP address.

2. WebGL Fingerprinting

WebGL fingerprinting uses your device’s graphics hardware to create a unique identifier. Websites can query your GPU’s capabilities, including the renderer and vendor strings, and combine them with other browser data to track you.

How to fix it: You can disable WebGL in your browser settings, but that may break some 3D content. Alternatively, use a browser extension like WebGL Fingerprint Defender that spoofs the GPU data. Remember, a VPN only changes your IP, not your GPU info.

3. Audio Fingerprinting

Audio fingerprinting works similarly to canvas, but with sound. Websites play an inaudible audio signal and measure how your device processes it, including slight distortions caused by your audio hardware and drivers. This creates a unique audio signature.

How to fix it: Block audio fingerprinting by using a browser extension that disables the AudioContext API or returns fake data. Firefox’s resist fingerprinting also helps. A VPN won’t alter your audio hardware, so this tracking method remains.

4. Battery API Fingerprinting

The Battery API was a powerful tracking vector because it revealed your device’s battery level and charge/discharge times. This data, when combined with other information, could help track you across sessions. Although modern browsers have restricted the Battery API, some clever trackers still find ways.

How to fix it: Keep your browser updated to the latest version, as updates often close such vulnerabilities. You can also use a browser extension that blocks the Battery API. Again, a VPN doesn’t affect this.

5. TLS/SSL Fingerprinting

When you connect to a website, your browser and server perform a TLS handshake. The specifics of that handshake—the versions, cipher suites, and extensions supported—create a unique fingerprint. Even if you use a VPN, the TLS handshake from your browser is still visible to the website.

How to fix it: Use the Tor Browser, which standardizes its TLS fingerprint, making you look like everyone else. Alternatively, you can tweak your browser’s TLS settings, but that’s technical. A VPN won’t help; the TLS fingerprint is generated by your browser.

6. HTTP/2 and HTTP/3 Fingerprinting

Modern protocols like HTTP/2 and HTTP/3 have their own fingerprinting methods. The order of settings, header compression, and window sizes can reveal your browser and OS. This is often used in combination with other fingerprinting techniques.

How to fix it: Use a privacy-focused browser like Brave that randomizes some of these values, or use a proxy that normalizes them. VPNs don’t modify your browser’s protocol behavior, so this type of fingerprinting persists.

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