My Battery Status: How Fingerprinting Risks are Discovered Through Your Laptop's Battery

The Princeton University researchers, Steven Englehardt and Arvind Narayanan, have recently discovered two scripts that utilize the Battery API to fingerprint users on the web. This alarming finding highlights a previously unknown risk in our online privacy. The researchers' discovery has shed light on the potential for site owners to track users across websites by combining unique combinations of a device's battery level, charge, and discharge times.

The Battery API, which is implemented in Firefox, Chrome, and Opera browsers, does not require user permission or notification when collecting battery information. Initially, the standard authors did not consider this a fingerprinting risk, but it has been proven that these combined readings can create a pseudo-unique identifier for each device.

AccuBattery provides an easy way to follow this rule by advising users to keep their AC adapter connected while using their laptop. This prolonged high-power state (98-100) can lead to a reduction in battery life. It is recommended to charge your battery within the optimal percentage range of 80% to maximize its lifespan.

In a groundbreaking breakthrough, University of California, Irvine researchers have created a battery material that can be recharged hundreds of thousands of times. This innovative advancement may lead to batteries that never die.

To maintain good battery health and extend its lifespan, it is essential to keep track of your laptop's battery status. You can do this by following these steps:

1. Review the HP Support Assistant Battery Check results.

2. Use HP Battery Check to display the battery status.

3. If the app is not installed on your computer, go to the HP website and download it.

Remember to follow the rule of keeping your AC adapter connected while using your laptop to maximize battery life. By being aware of these risks and taking necessary steps, you can protect your online privacy and extend the lifespan of your laptop's battery.

My battery status