When you browse the internet, your browser is not just loading pages — it is also quietly sharing information about you.
Things like your IP address, device type, screen size, time zone, and even how your graphics card draws images can all be used to create a unique identity. This invisible identity is called a digital fingerprint — and it allows websites and advertisers to recognize you even if you clear cookies, switch browsers, or use incognito mode.

In simple terms, your browser leaves traces of who you are every time you go online.

To understand what is being shared, there are privacy testing tools that scan your browser for leaks. They show details such as:

• Your public and local IP address (revealing your network).
• DNS leaks, which can expose what websites you visit.
• WebRTC leaks, which can accidentally reveal your real location even with a VPN on.
• Fingerprinting data, including how your browser handles graphics (Canvas, WebGL) or sound (Audio Context).

These tools act like a mirror for your digital identity. They show exactly what websites can see about you — information that is often invisible to regular users.

Whether you’re a beginner learning about online privacy or an expert testing VPN setup, these tools are extremely useful. They help you:

• Check if your VPN or proxy is leaking your real IP.
• See how unique your browser fingerprint really is.
• Understand which settings or extensions need tweaking for better privacy.

The goal is not to scare you — it is to make you aware. Once you know what your browser exposes, you can take control and start fixing the leaks that compromise your privacy.

To understand how much of your personal information your browser quietly reveals, I tested several online tools that show what websites can see about you.
Each of these websites helps you uncover different kinds of browser leaks — from your IP address to unique fingerprinting data.
Below are some of the most useful tools you can try yourself, along with a quick explanation of what each one does.

DoILeak

DoILeak checks whether your VPN or browser is leaking your real IP address, DNS requests, or WebRTC data.
It is especially useful for users who use VPNs or proxy servers and want to confirm that their true location remains hidden.

“DoILeak — detects IP, DNS, and WebRTC leaks.”

https://www.doileak.com/classic.html

This is the welcome page of DoILeak, introducing what the website does. You can start checking your privacy instantly by clicking the “Start Test” button.

After the test completes, the results are displayed in a bulleted format, showing your request IP, network operator, operating system (Windows), browser information, and other network and device-specific details.

BrowserLeaks

BrowserLeaks is one of the most detailed privacy-testing sites. It performs dozens of tests, including Canvas and WebGL fingerprinting, media device enumeration, and TLS/SSL checks.
It helps you see just how many identifiers your browser exposes — even when tracking cookies are disabled.

“BrowserLeaks — advanced fingerprinting and leak testing.”

https://browserleaks.com/

The BrowserLeaks site offers detailed tests to reveal what your browser shares online — from IP and WebRTC leaks to fingerprinting, geolocation, and SSL data — helping you understand how identifiable your device really is.

What Is My IP Address page displays detailed network information, including your public IP, ISP, location, time zone, and device fingerprinting data. It also allows testing for IPv6, DNS, and WebRTC leaks, revealing exactly how much of your real network identity is visible online.

Cover Your Tracks (EFF)

Developed by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), this site analyses how trackable your browser is. It shows whether your settings block tracking ads, invisible trackers, and fingerprinting scripts.
It also gives a uniqueness score — the higher it is, the easier it is to identify you online.

“Cover Your Tracks — checks how unique your browser fingerprint is.”

https://coveryourtracks.eff.org/

The Cover Your Tracks page by EFF shows how trackable your browser is online. It reports whether your browser blocks tracking ads, invisible trackers, and how unique your fingerprint is. In this example, the test indicates strong protection against web tracking, though the browser still has a nearly-unique fingerprint.

How to Prevent Browser Leaks

Once you’ve tested your browser and seen what information is exposed, the next step is to strengthen your privacy.
Here are some effective and often overlooked ways to reduce or prevent browser leaks:

• Use a trusted VPN – A reliable VPN hides your real IP address and encrypts all internet traffic between your device and the web.
  (Pro Tip: Always test your VPN on DoILeak after connecting — even premium VPNs can occasionally leak.)
• Disable WebRTC leaks – WebRTC can unintentionally reveal your real IP address even when a VPN is active. You can disable it through browser settings or install privacy extensions such as WebRTC Control or uBlock Origin’s “Prevent WebRTC from leaking local IP addresses” option.
• Switch to privacy-focused browsers – Browsers like Brave, Mozilla Firefox (with Enhanced Tracking Protection), or Tor Browser are built to minimize fingerprinting and tracking. Brave even randomizes its fingerprint slightly, making you harder to identify.
• Create browser isolation – Use different browsers for different purposes.
  For example, one browser for personal logins, another for research, and another for online shopping. This keeps trackers from linking your activities together.
• Use private search engines – Replace Google Search with privacy-respecting alternatives like DuckDuckGo, Startpage, or Brave Search. They don’t log your queries or build tracking profiles.
• Limit browser extensions – Each extension adds potential tracking points. Keep only those you fully trust and check their permissions regularly.
• Add privacy extensions – Tools such as uBlock Origin, Privacy Badger, NoScript, or ClearURLs block hidden trackers, malicious ads, and scripts that fingerprint your device.
• Block fingerprinting scripts – Extensions like CanvasBlocker (Firefox) or Trace (Chrome) help mask or randomize unique fingerprinting identifiers like Canvas or WebGL data.
• Use DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH) – This encrypts your DNS requests, preventing your ISP or network from seeing which websites you visit. Firefox and Brave support DoH natively under privacy settings.
• Turn off unnecessary permissions – Disable access to your camera, microphone, location, or notifications unless absolutely needed. Most leaks start with over-permissive browser settings.
• Regularly clear cookies and site data – Third-party cookies track you across sites. Enable “clear on exit” or use Total Cookie Protection in Firefox for automatic cleanup.
• Use a virtual machine or sandbox for testing – If you frequently test tools or visit unfamiliar sites, browsing inside a virtual machine (like on VirtualBox) adds an extra layer of isolation.
• Keep your browser and extensions updated – Security patches often fix privacy bugs, fingerprinting issues, and new tracking techniques.

By adopting even a few of these habits, you reduce your browser’s digital “noise” — the data points advertisers and trackers rely on to follow you.
In short, privacy is not about disappearing from the internet; it’s about browsing with intention and control.

Conclusion

The internet is like a vast ocean — and every click you make sends out ripples. Most of us surf these digital waves every day, unaware of the tiny traces we leave behind. “Know Your Tracks” is more than just an article — it’s an eye-opener, a reminder that our privacy is still ours to protect.

With websites like DoILeak, BrowserLeaks, and Cover Your Tracks (EFF), you hold the compass to navigate this online world safely. These tools do not just expose what’s leaking — they empower you to take charge, to surf smarter, and to stay unseen when you choose to.

In the end, digital privacy is not about hiding — it’s about owning your space in the connected world.
So, move forward with awareness, confidence, and control.
Because in this age of constant connection, the smartest digital footprint is the one you create consciously.

Pro Tip: The safest users are the most aware ones. Run a quick privacy check every month with DoILeak, BrowserLeaks, or Cover Your Tracks — a few minutes of awareness can save your digital identity.

“Don’t just browse the web — browse wisely.”

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Author: Muskan Sen is a Researcher and Technical Writer specializing in Information Security. Follow her – LinkedIn

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