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Ebay Canvas Fingerprinting preventing listing new items for Sale
 

Sorry for the long narrative and background. But want to be as informative as possible. I also posted this in the eBay Discussion area so if not permitted here as well, please remove either. Just trying to spread this properly.

I have multiple eBay accounts on their own unique IP and logging into each from a unique Windows user ID. I am using Windows 7 with the latest Firefox version.

I have been using Canvas Defender on Firefox for a while now and for the past week I have noticed a lot of canvas fingerprinting activity from eBay. This started quite suddenly as I had not seen that before. But yesterday, things got weird.

Every time I try to add a new listing or relist or list a draft, I cannot. All I get after I click on the submit button is the spinning wheel stating "Submitting Listing". It just hangs there. I even had Canvas Defender generate new noise for me in case the other was blocked by eBay and still no luck.

Luckily I have another account that is personal and non-stealth. I was able to list items with no issues on eBay with Firefox. So I installed Canvas Defender and I was able to duplicate my other accounts selling listing issue. All I did was enabling Canvas Defender create a unique noise for me. However, I if I turn CD off, I can list just fine.

So has anyone had this same issue lately (started for me on 9/5/17)? Should we be worried about canvas fingerprinting from eBay? Should I try a different canvas fingerprinting noise generator? Any suggestions?

I hope I was not to lengthy in my details. Your help is appreciated.

Re: Ebay Canvas Fingerprinting preventing listing new items for Sale
 

I'm not worried at all about Canvas fingerprinting by eBay. It wouldn't pose any risk for properly configured/isolated stealth accounts since Canvas fingerprinting alone isn't enough to uniquely identify a user.

If the problem is solved by disabling Canvas Defender, why not leave it disabled?

From Wikipedia:
This means using a different OS, or even a different browser between accounts would eliminate any linking risk. Right?

EDIT: It seems like it would be easy for eBay to prevent users from blocking canvas fingerprinting. If canvas fingerprinting generates a token eBay can make that token a prerequisite to the successful publication of your listing. Just a guess..

Re: Ebay Canvas Fingerprinting preventing listing new items for Sale
 

The issue is not Canvas Defender on Ebay. It is Canvas Defender affecting some of the functionality of Firefox.

I've experienced a similar issue trying to access Gmail when using it on Firefox. The inbox refuses to load when CD is active.

The issue doesn't arise with Chrome so it would be worth changing browser.

Re: Ebay Canvas Fingerprinting preventing listing new items for Sale
 

Canvas defender sends noise that masks the real fingerprint. So your EDIT info would not be applicable here since it does not block it. But thanks a lot for the input. Unfortunately for most folks, separate OS, browser for each account is not a viable workaround .... no matter how correct it is.

But again, thanks for the valuable input. Much appreciated.

Re: Ebay Canvas Fingerprinting preventing listing new items for Sale
 

Good point. Odd that it would raise its ugly head just in the past week. But who knows what changes occurred. Thanks again. Need to try Chrome as you suggested. Bummer that there is not another Firefox solution to replace CD.

Re: Ebay Canvas Fingerprinting preventing listing new items for Sale
 

This has been going on for a while with firefox and canvas defender. I made a post on it back in July. It's only a firefox/canvas defender issue.

http://www.aspkin.com/forums/ebay-to...e-opening.html

Re: Ebay Canvas Fingerprinting preventing listing new items for Sale
 

The good folks at Canvas Defender stated that v1.1 has this issue with some API's and will be resolved in the next release. Suggested in downgrade to v1.0.9. Trying that and will update my results.

Re: Ebay Canvas Fingerprinting preventing listing new items for Sale
 

Downgrading to previous version works. But remember to turn off auto update or it will upgrade you automatically to 1.1.

Re: Ebay Canvas Fingerprinting preventing listing new items for Sale
 

Ebay does not use fingerprinting. Amazon does to a degree

The problem with trying to mask your fingerprint: So your laptop is unique in 1 out of every 100,000 laptops. Thats not too bad. But now you just added Canvas defender to your browser. Not too many people have that extension. So now you just made your fingerprint even more unique. Maybe 1 out of every 600,000 are similar.

Plus, you try using that on Amazon, they will lock that account so fast. Even just regular buyer accounts will get locked with no email notice. Amazon HATES anything related to browser ghosting, fingerprint hiding, etc

I could be wrong. Just my experience