A recent update to an ad block filter list now allows the uBlock Origin extension to block most of the known sites that perform port scans of your local Windows computer.
  • @muirrum
    4•4 years ago

    I’ve seen stuff about “loss prevention” but I’m inclined to believe that that’s BS.

    • @AgreeableLandscape
      4•4 years ago

      Loss of what? I don’t see how port scanning the user’s devices factors into that.

      • @muirrum
        4•4 years ago

        That was my thought line too. There’s no real need that I can see for this sort of thing.

        • @AgreeableLandscape
          3•4 years ago

          IMO, system-level features like port scanning should at least require a browser-generated permissions prompt like sensible browsers have for camera and microphone access, if not non-existent from the APIs available to websites.

          • @muirrum
            4•4 years ago

            I can’t think of a use-case where a third-party website would ever need to see what ports I have open on my machine.

            • @AgreeableLandscape
              4•4 years ago

              Exactly. Same with what extensions I have installed and most other information listed in the fingerprinting section of Panopticlick.

              It’s for browser/device fingerprinting and basically nothing else.