Techlore Surveillance Report Q&A: Can Privacy Make You Easier to Track?
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May 7, 2025 Can blocking trackers actually make you easier to track? The hosts dive into the trade-offs of aggressive blocking and unique blocklists. They explore the security advances in Wayland compared to X, discussing GUI isolation. CDN risks and trust issues are laid bare, revealing hidden challenges and limited user options. Plus, get insights into RF monitoring and how to detect nearby cell towers using the Tower Collector app. Tune in for practical privacy tips and community tools!
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DNS Blocking Can Increase Uniqueness
- Blocking trackers or using custom DNS (like NextDNS) can make you stand out because sites can observe differing DNS usage and separate you from other VPN users.
- VPNs still protect your IP, so the trade-off may be worthwhile when you need filtering or telemetry blocking on restrictive devices.
Prefer VPN DNS Or Tor For Fingerprinting Needs
- If you don't need custom DNS features, stick with your VPN's DNS to reduce fingerprinting risk.
- Use Tor Browser or Mullvad Browser when fingerprinting is your primary concern.
Blocking Creates A Double-Edged Effect
- Aggressively blocking trackers or JavaScript can make you unique while also removing many common fingerprinting vectors.
- The net effect is ambiguous because blocking both increases uniqueness and reduces attack surface.