Company
Date Published
Author
Shahed Nasser
Word count
2655
Language
English
Hacker News points
None

Summary

Browsers provide Incognito mode to protect user privacy by not permanently storing browsing history, cookies, or information, but this feature can be exploited to bypass paywalls in business contexts. The text reviews four methods to detect Incognito mode: Access Timings, Filesystem Quotas, IndexedDB API, and Local Storage. However, these methods have limitations and are not universally effective across all browsers. Access Timings works in Chrome and Edge due to their shared Chromium engine, but not in Firefox, Safari, or Opera. Filesystem Quotas were effective only in older Chrome versions, and IndexedDB API works only in Firefox. Local Storage detection was once viable in Safari but no longer functions. Fingerprint emerges as a robust alternative, claiming comprehensive Incognito detection across all major browsers by utilizing browser fingerprinting, which helps businesses prevent fraud and unauthorized content access. Fingerprint is user-friendly, quick to integrate, and adaptable, offering a more reliable solution compared to outdated methods.