It’s obvious that you cannot access the world wide web without a Web browser. A web browser is a computer program used to navigate the World Wide Web, chiefly by viewing web pages and following hyperlinks. There exists many web browsers out there among which are; Firefox, Internet Explorer, Chrome among others.
The second you log onto the internet, you start leaving a trace that’s more telling than you think. Browsers can not only identify where you are in the world, but they collect a ton of other data too, such as where your mouse is hovering and when you launch a private browser window. In this article, I will show you how to find out what your browser is willing to tell about you, and how to solve that issue.
Most of the information a browser divulges is sent either as data embedded in the HTML headers that are transmitted between your browser and the web server hosting the site you’re visiting, or by the use of JavaScript embedded in the webpage you’re viewing.
Location Information
With JavaScript embedded in a webpage, your browser can make a pretty good guess at your current location, and send this information off to a site’s web server. There are various ways to ask for location information, but one of the common methods is to use a set of APIs used by Google for geolocation. The APIs were developed to allow ads to be tailored for your location.
Solution : The simplest solution is to disable JavaScript in your web browser’s preferences. The problem with disabling JavaScript is that it prevents every website you visit from using JavaScript. You’re likely to find most websites will simply stop working correctly. A better choice may be to use one of the many browser extensions available, such as NoScript for Firefox, or ScriptSafe for Chrome. These can prevent many of the data sniffing code from working on websites you visit. For Mac users, there is an in built location service. You can get to control which apps are allowed to make use of the Location Services. You can find location options in the Security & Privacy preference pane, under the Privacy tab.
Internet Connection Information
Whenever you use your browser to access a website, one or more connections to the web server are made. Part of making that connection is to use your public IP as the address to send data to. Your IP address is also used every time you connect to a service on the Internet. Along with the IP address is a wealth of additional information that can be associated with the IP. This includes the ISP you’re using since IP address blocks are assigned to ISPs, making it a simple matter to look up who has control of an IP address, as well as the location where the IP is being used. Luckily, determining location based only on an IP address usually isn’t very accurate. Based solely on IP-based location, I’m currently in an entirely different county, quite a distance from where I really am.
Solution : Make use of an anonymous web proxy service. This type of proxy service is designed to hide your public IP address by routing all traffic through a different public IP, usually located some distance away from you. Another method is to use a Virtual Private Network. A VPN, like an anonymous web proxy, will also hide your public IP. The difference is an anonymous web proxy only handles web-based traffic, while a VPN handles all Internet traffic. You can also use the TOR Browser. This browser is designed to use the TOR network to ensure anonymous browsing.
Operating System, Browser, Plugins
The browser you’re using is happy to disclose the operating system you’re using, the browser you’re using, and the browser plug-ins that are currently active. Most of this type of information is generated via embedded JavaScripts in a webpage you’re visiting, which is then sent on to the web server for its internal use. In many cases, the information is used to customize the webpage to better suit your needs.
Solution : Disabling or blocking JavaScript execution will help put a stop to the gathering of information about your software.
Hardware
JavaScript can be used to reveal a great deal about you, including the hardware you’re using to visit a website. Most of the time, the type of hardware information requested, and returned by your browser, includes CPU type, the number of processor cores, display resolution, and color depth.
Solution : JavaScript is the primary method used to acquire this information, so disabling JavaScript, either in your browser’s preferences or with a browser add-on, is an option.
Forwarder:
This is the page you were on before you loaded the current page.
Installed software:
In some cases, a site will check on specific software that is installed on the computer. One example for this type of use is when a website has embedded content that requires a plug-in or app to be installed.
Browser information and capabilities:
The browser’s User Agent contains some information about the browser, but with JavaScript, a website can request more complete information about the browser, including what web features are supported, whether cookies are enabled, as well as the type of cookies that can be used, what HTML headers are supported, and quite a bit more.
Fonts installed:
Some browsers will limit this to just fonts available to the browser, while others will list every font installed on your system.
Social media status:
If you have set up your browser to work with social media sites, such as Facebook or Twitter, and you’re currently logged in to those sites, it’s possible that some browsers will divulge this information via JavaScript.
Solution : Disabling JavaScript or using a plugin to control JavaScript on a site-by-site basis can suppress most of the above information. Another option is to use your browser’s private browsing settings, which can keep some of the data from being revealed.
Fingerprinting
With fingerprinting, the idea is simple, though complex to actually carry out effectively, but many large ad-based systems are putting it to use. When you visit a website that employs fingerprinting, usually embedded in an ad frame on the site, a fingerprint is extracted. This is done by using JavaScript to gather as much information about the computer as it can. This includes obvious items such as IP address, operating system, and processor configuration, and less obvious items, such as fonts installed, plugins installed, time zone the computer is set to, language, screen size, HTML features supported, and much more. With enough data gathered, a unique fingerprint is created that can be compared against whenever you access a website. With enough information, the fingerprint becomes unique, allowing your computer to be tracked wherever you go without ever having to set any type of cookie or web tracker locally on your computer.
Solution : It’s hard to prevent fingerprinting, but there are some techniques you can use, starting with making your computer seem as common as possible; the less unique you are, the better. There are some plugins designed to reduce the effectiveness of fingerprinting, including Privacy Badger, which works with Chrome, Firefox, and Opera, or Disconnect, which works with Chrome, Firefox and Opera. The TOR browser is another option, as it has been designed to make fingerprinting as difficult as possible.
Related Article: Which is the best browser for your Android device?
Browsers are getting better, adding features to combat some of the top security issues, including disclosing information without asking for permission to do so. One of the easiest weapons you can deploy is a modern, up-to-date browser, and keep it current.
There are a few websites you can visit to see just what information your browser is willing to reveal.
Click
When you open the site, you will see a white page with a green button in the middle with the word “Button”. From then on, it watches your every move and gives you a detailed account of your activity. It can be pretty amusing to see a real-time narration on screen about where you are hovering on the page or where your mouse is moving towards. You can even unlock ‘achievements’ through user-browser interaction events, such as staying on the website longer or clicking on the green button. You can turn on your volume to enjoy the experience even more. The narrator will draw conclusions about your character based on your behavior on the site. It demonstrates what type and how much of your online data is tracked and is potentially used by advertisers and other web services. Click is a playful web toy but there are more serious tools around if you want a deeper and more formal way.
Webkay
Webkay stands for What Every Browser Knows About You. This site gives you a demonstration of all the data your browser collects about you. Its main purpose is for internet users to gain awareness about how any website can acquire your web browsing data. Most often, this is done without asking your permission. This is a good way to internalize how your online information is collected and used. When you launch Webkay, you will see a ‘welcome note’ that explains what the site is mainly about. Scroll down a bit and you will see a presentation of your location. It gives your geo coordinates, your address, the time you logged on to the site, and languages used. The website uses Google Geolocation API so it isn’t as accurate as a GPS Location. But the error of margin isn’t a big one, which means websites can get pretty accurate in knowing where you are when using the right tools. Webkay will also shows you which operating system, browser, plugins, local and public IPs, and service provider you’re using. It can even tell hardware data, such as battery status and CPU and GPU details. It knows what social media accounts you are currently logged into and what devices are connected to your network. Webkay also provides suggestions on how to boost your web privacy with Prevention tips. Webkay also displays a comprehensive list of everything websites can learn and guess about you, without asking for explicit permission, based on the data reported by your browser. Not only does it explain what’s collected, it also links to tools you can use to prevent some of the leaks from happening.
Panopticlick
This tests your browser for how well it protects you against tracking.
Have you ever wondered if you are being watched on the internet? Curious about the data that your browser has stored about your activities? There are ways to actually know how your browser is tracking your every move on the web, your location, and even what type of CPU your computer has. Want to know how you are being monitored online? This article is a perfect solution to you.
Image: Mozilla
Victor Immanuel Oloo is a tech writer based in Kampala, Uganda, with extensive experience in web 2.0 technologies, social media, and digital marketing. He covers the latest in mobile apps, smartphone reviews, and tech news, offering insightful analysis on the ever-evolving tech landscape. Victor’s deep understanding of both local and global trends provides readers with relevant, informed perspectives on how technology is shaping our world.
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Talkio Mobile , Uganda’s newest telecommunications service provider, is excited to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Banana Life Investments, a leading chain of mobile phone and retail shops. This strategic alliance aims to bring Talkio’s innovative telecom services closer to Ugandans.
This collaboration will leverage Banana Life Investments’ extensive retail network of 26 stores strategically located across Uganda in major malls, towns, and cities to provide customers with unparalleled convenience. Through this partnership, Talkio Mobile will offer its full suite of services, including SIM cards, airtime, and exclusive product offerings at any Banana Life Investment location.
This partnership is more than a business initiative—it’s a shared commitment to transforming lives. By integrating Talkio Mobile’s forward-thinking services & nationwide reach with Banana Life Investments’ retail footprint, the two brands are setting a new standard for customer convenience and inclusivity.
READ ALSO: 5 Things You Need to Know About Talkio Mobile: New Telecom Company in Uganda
“This partnership aligns perfectly with our mission of connecting Ugandans to innovative and transformative telecom solutions,” said Vianne Allan Ahura, CEO of Talkio Mobile. “By leveraging Banana Life Investments’ trusted presence and nationwide footprint, we are not only expanding our agent network but also bringing our services closer to the communities we serve. This collaboration ensures that our online customers can now enjoy a seamless offline experience right at their doorstep. Together, we are empowering Ugandans with the tools they need to stay connected, grow their businesses, and unlock new opportunities.”
Solomon Ssemuyaba, the assistant general manager at Banana Life Investments, echoed this sentiment: “We are proud to join hands with Talkio Mobile to deliver innovative, customer-centric solutions. This partnership represents our shared vision of fostering a connected future for Uganda. Together, we are redefining what convenience and accessibility mean for our customers.”
The partnership goes beyond retail distribution, introducing joint initiatives aimed at value addition and personalized service. Customers can expect seamless access to:
- SIM Card Sales : Available at all Banana Life Investments locations.
- Talkio phone number bookings : Book your preferred Talkio number at any Banana Life Investments location.
- Airtime Services : Recharge easily through in-store purchases.
- Customer Support : Friendly and knowledgeable staff trained to assist with Talkio Mobile products and services.
Additionally, the two companies plan to launch promotional campaigns and expand services to even more locations, ensuring no Ugandan is left behind in the digital transformation.
Solomon Obwot is a tech writer based in Kampala, Uganda, with extensive experience in the local tech startup ecosystem. He covers the latest news and analysis on consumer tech, writes in-depth smartphone reviews, and conducts insightful interviews with industry experts. Solomon is also a passionate podcaster, sharing his knowledge and engaging in discussions about Africa’s rapidly growing tech landscape. Send emails to [email protected]
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The Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona , the world’s largest exhibition for the mobile industry, has just concluded. This annual event gathers leading technology brands to unveil groundbreaking mobile, AI, and digital solutions innovations. At MWC 2025, TECNO showcased a range of AI-driven products, reinforcing its commitment to cutting-edge technology.
The key launches included:
- CAMON 40 Series – AI-powered smartphones with One-Tap FlashSnap and advanced mobile imaging features.
- MEGABOOK S14 – The world’s lightest 14-inch OLED laptop, featuring AI-enhanced multitasking and Snapdragon® X Elite.
- MEGABOOK T14 Air & K15S – Lightweight ultrabooks with AI capabilities and extended battery life.
- TECNO AI Glasses Series – Smart eyewear integrating AI imaging, translation, and AR display.
Jan Stryjak, Associate Director at Counterpoint Research, shared, “In the past year, we have observed significant advancements in the field of AI. AI will continue to drive transformative changes in our daily lives. In this critical period for the economic development of emerging markets, TECNO’s AI technologies are unlocking potential for diverse needs.”
“The application of AI technologies is crucial and urgent in emerging markets. We’re committed to bridging the digital gap between emerging and mature markets,” said TECNO CMO, Laury Bai. “TECNO is taking a practical approach to make AI more accessible, ensuring users in emerging markets can access AI and cutting-edge technologies.”
Laury Bai, TECNO CMO
Driven by its commitment, TECNO has forged a robust partnership with MediaTek, establishing a joint AI laboratory dedicated to accelerating advancements in AI. At the event, James Chen, Vice President of Product and Technology Marketing at MediaTek, emphasized, “The synergistic R&D efforts between TECNO and MediaTek are set to democratize AI technology. Our collaboration powers a seamless, interconnected AI experience, bringing users a future of truly connected intelligence.”
James Chen, Vice President, Product and Technology Marketing at MediaTek
CAMON 40 Series Powered by AI One-Tap FlashSnap Revolutionizes Smartphone Snapshot Photography
TECNO’s Global Product Launch Officer, Olivier Mas, officially unveiled TECNO’s next-generation AI-driven products. Attendees at TECNO’s launch event witnessed the highly anticipated debut of TECNO’s new CAMON 40 Series, a device that embodies TECNO’s legacy of excellence in mobile imaging. Featuring One-Tap FlashSnap Mode and TECNO AI, the series sets a new benchmark in smartphone photography, delivering exceptional snapshot capabilities and AI-enhanced user experiences.
Olivier Mas, TECNO Global Product Launch Officer
The CAMON 40 Series exemplifies a commitment to innovation that transcends hardware and software, extending into strategic partnerships that deliver cutting-edge AI solutions to emerging markets. Matt Waldbusser, Managing Director of Global Solutions and Consumer AI at Google Cloud, remarked, “Our collaboration with TECNO on the CAMON 40 Series is a standout example. Leveraging Google Cloud’s capabilities, we’ve introduced groundbreaking features such as Ask Ella, AI Image Generator, AI Writing, and AI Translate. I am particularly impressed by the industry-leading and competitive edge of some of these innovations. For instance, TECNO’s AI supports text translation in 136 languages, voice translation in 44 languages, and photo translation in 51 languages. We are excited to further strengthen our partnership with TECNO, unlocking limitless potential to bring advanced yet practical AI capabilities to emerging markets in a convenient and secure manner.”
Matt Waldbusser, Managing Director of Global Solutions and Consumer AI at Google Cloud
The CAMON 40 Series’ innovative One-Tap FlashSnap leverages AI to enhance imaging capabilities, revolutionizing mobile photography. AI optimizes camera startup and continuous shooting for instant captures, while AI-powered multi-frame processing intelligently reduces noise and enhances details, delivering sharper, more refined images. Additionally, the BestMoment algorithm analyzes motion patterns, automatically selecting the optimal frames for precise, high-quality shots in dynamic scenarios, ensuring users an unparalleled mobile imaging experience.
TECNO CAMON 40 Demonstrates the Cutting-Edge FlashSnap Capability
To delve deeper into the imaging prowess of the CAMON 40 Series, TECNO invited Frédéric Guichard, CEO of DXOMARK, to share the image performance of CAMON 40 Pro. Frédéric highlighted, “The CAMON 40 Pro 5G has demonstrated exceptional imaging and performance capabilities in our rigorous evaluations. We’ve been particularly impressed with photo performance being the best for devices under 600$, and the 1st eligible device to our Smart Choice Label.”
Onsite photo of Frédéric Guichard, CEO of DXOMARK
Beyond its advanced rapid-capture functionality, the integration of TECNO AI further enhances the device’s capabilities. Intelligent imaging, a 360° AI Call Assistant, and productivity tools elevate creativity and efficiency. Powered by MediaTek’s latest chipsets, the series ensures smooth performance, fast processing, and extended battery life. With a sleek, durable, and water-resistant design, it seamlessly blends style with practicality for modern users.
MEGABOOK S14, the World’s Lightest 14-inch OLED Laptop, Inspires Creators and Game Lovers
The MEGABOOK S14 is TECNO’s first OLED laptop and the industry’s lightest 14-inch OLED laptop, featuring a 2.8K OLED display and incredibly weighing only 899g (31.7oz). The laptop is equipped with the outstanding power of the Snapdragon® X Elite compute platform, the flagship chipset for AI PCs from Qualcomm Technologies, and integrates TECNO’s world’s first self-developed edge-side large-scale AI model, to achieve AI-enhanced multitasking.
World’s Lightest 14-inch Laptop MEGABOOK S14
Specifically designed for next-gen AI productivity, TECNO AI enhances the Ella AI Assistant, AI-powered PPT generation, AI-driven image search, smart albums, and offline meeting transcription with multilingual support. The External Graphics Dock, equipped with a powerful NVIDIA graphic card, delivers scalable, high-performance capabilities for design, gaming, and content creation. The laptop’s 2.8K OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate ensures exceptional visuals, while DTS:X Ultra dual 2W speakers, Wi-Fi 6E, fingerprint login, and PC Manager optimize connectivity and user experience.
TECNO’s strategic partnership with Qualcomm Technologies was a highlight of the TECNO AI Ecosystem Product Launch event, demonstrating a shared vision for the future of AI PCs. Kedar Kondap, SVP & GM of Compute and Gaming at Qualcomm, took the stage to discuss the integration of Qualcomm’s cutting-edge PC chipset into the new MEGABOOK S14 laptop, underscoring TECNO’s commitment to delivering high-performance computing solutions.
Kedar Kondap, SVP & GM of Compute and Gaming at Qualcomm
In addition, TECNO also introduced several standout new products. The featherlight 999g (35.2oz) ultrabook MEGABOOK T14 Air, features high-speed storage and LPDDR5 memory, while the ultra-thin, all-metal MEGABOOK K15S, equipped with a powerful 70Wh battery and supported by a 65W PD GaN charger, offers a smarter and more long-lasting user experience. Both devices are empowered by TECNO AI with advanced AI capabilities such as AI Album and AI Voice Assistant, making them perfect companions for all aspects of life.
The Next Game-Changing Tech Innovation: See the World with the TECNO AI Glasses Series
TECNO’s new AI Glasses Series also took center stage with the introduction of TECNO AI Glasses Pro and TECNO AI Glasses, reimagining eyewear with cutting-edge imaging, intelligent interactions, and a sleek aesthetic. The TECNO AI Glasses feature an aviator design, while the Pro model showcases a browline style, both embodying timeless elegance and modern fashion.
TECNO AI Glasses Redefine the Way People See the Future
Equipped with a 50MP high-definition camera, the series integrates an OV50D sensor, a 100° ultra-wide-angle custom lens, and an AI ISP imaging chip, forming a mobile-grade imaging system. This system lets users capture stunning, high-resolution photos with advanced AI noise reduction and HDR capabilities. With real-time translation supporting over 100 languages, TECNO AI’s Ella empowers accurate translation even for less common languages, as well as voice control, AI-powered object recognition, and intelligent information summaries for ultimate convenience.
Additionally, the AI Glasses Pro features a MicroLED display with 7th-gen resin waveguide technology, offering a 30° field of view, over 1,500 nits of brightness AR display, and a lightweight, ultra-thin design. The AR display allows users to effortlessly enjoy features like translation display, navigation, information prompts, and teleprompting.
Equipped with a 250mAh battery, these glasses offer over 11 hours of music playback and 8 hours of mixed use with just 30 minutes of charging. An advanced ultra-linear speaker, bass enhancement, and spatial sound deliver an immersive audio experience, while Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4 ensure seamless connectivity.
With these innovative launches, TECNO is setting new standards in mobile imaging and AI-enhanced technology, shaping a more connected and empowered future for consumers in emerging markets. Once again, TECNO has showcased its cutting-edge innovation on the global stage at MWC. With the brand essence of “Stop at Nothing”, TECNO’s relentless pursuit of innovation is making AI-powered technology more accessible, allowing consumers to experience the future ahead of time.
Solomon Obwot is a tech writer based in Kampala, Uganda, with extensive experience in the local tech startup ecosystem. He covers the latest news and analysis on consumer tech, writes in-depth smartphone reviews, and conducts insightful interviews with industry experts. Solomon is also a passionate podcaster, sharing his knowledge and engaging in discussions about Africa’s rapidly growing tech landscape. Send emails to [email protected]
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