Discourse.net

I don't believe it. I think fingerprinting is a concern, but I don't believe that they have tested that many unique browsers. I just hit it 3 times in a row. The number of tested browsers kept on going up and yet they kept on telling me I was unique without noting that I hit the test me button more than once. That is a priori evidence that their methodology is really, really flawed.

BFD.

Remember, unless you're a DHCP client, your IP address is absolutely unique.

I don't hear any black helicopters. . .

I do have a dynamic IP number at home; changes every day or so.

The EFF's Peter Eckersley has posted several comments on the methodology over at Schneier's blog.

In addition, the first item in the Panopticlick FAQ also explains the use of session cookies to track some repeat visitors:

Q: Why does your browser remain unique, even if you reload the page?

A: As noted in the panopticlick privacy policy, the site uses a 3-month persistent cookie to try to prevent double-counting of browsers.

[...more...]

HTH.

Loved this.

Also loved the title of the site. As you may know, the Panopticon was a prison designed by Jeremy Bentham. In it, a elevated central observation tower sits in in the center of a circular prison. From it, the imprisoned may be observed by guards inside the tower, but the prisoners can never see the guards. Thus, there is a constant sense on the part of the imprisoned that they are being watched but they can never see who is watching.

Foucault took this image to draw a metaphor for our own society- we are all imprisoned and observed by forces beyond our control and invisible to us.