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.
  • AgreeableLandscape
    4·
    5 years ago

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

    • muirrum
      4·
      5 years ago

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

      • AgreeableLandscape
        3·
        5 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·
          5 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·
            5 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.