Basically title. Recently I saw a new option in Chromium website permission settings called “allow access to local network” or something like that and I know some antiviruses on Windows that can list all devices connected to the same WiFi network. I’m usually using Firefox based browsers that obviously don’t have the option to disable or enable that access. So can some really invasive websites mine data about my local network, connected devices etc? And if so, what can I do to prevent it except for just disconnecting everything else when visiting such websites?
- makingStuffForFun ( @makingStuffForFun@lemmy.ml ) 23•2 months ago
There is a Firefox extension that blocks port scanning from websites, and the prime example is eBay. If you block eBay with this extension, you cannot log in. eBay specifically requires a port scan of your machine or it won’t let you log in. So based on just that alone, I would say that yes, there is a risk.
- ironsoap ( @ironsoap@lemmy.one ) English16•2 months ago
What in the world are they digging for?
Anything that can help advertisers. In this case they can get data about your wealth and also assume that the nearby devices belong to the same person or family. That’s some very useful data for unethical advertisers.
Hmm ok thanks for the information. I’ll look into that.
- cmgvd3lw ( @cmgvd3lw@discuss.tchncs.de ) 7•2 months ago
This is something new. Thanks for the info. Man we are not safe.
- kbal ( @kbal@fedia.io ) 5•2 months ago
You can stop that (and many other things) with jshelter.
- Blxter ( @Blxter@lemmy.zip ) English1•2 months ago
Whelp adding this to my extension list. There is no webpage I visit that should need this info … I think thanks for link
- Possibly linux ( @possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip ) English4•2 months ago
It is webRTC
WebRTC has a separate toggle.
- Possibly linux ( @possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip ) English2•2 months ago
Not in Firefox based browsers. Also that’s the tech they use for scanning
It has a separate toggle in Chromium so I think these are 2 separate things.
- The Doctor ( @drwho@beehaw.org ) English2•2 months ago
It is possible, yes. Here’s a proof of concept implementation and there are undoubtedly others out there.
I guess I’ll switch to Chromium then
- Luffy879 ( @Luffy879@lemmy.ml ) 4•2 months ago
Except that chromium and everything based on it is Sending information about your pcs Ressource usage on Google sites, as far as I have heard
I don’t use that sites on the devices with the highest threat model so it should be fine. Hopefully.
- The Doctor ( @drwho@beehaw.org ) English2•2 months ago
I don’t know if it’ll work on Chromium or not. It’s worth a try.