10 Questions and Answers about Kernel Version Detection
In this guide, we’ll dive deep into OS kernel detection and how it relates to your online privacy through ten key questions.
1. What is this tool?
This is a free online tool designed to detect and identify your current operating system’s kernel version through your browser. It reveals deeper system information than just the standard OS name.
2. What is an OS Kernel?
The OS kernel is the core component of an operating system. It manages the system’s hardware resources (like CPU and memory) and provides services for applications. You can think of it as the engine of a car, the foundation that drives the entire system.
3. Why can my browser leak the kernel version?
Modern browsers, especially those based on Chromium (like Chrome and Edge), implement an API called navigator.userAgentData. This API can access some low-level platform information. On certain operating systems (like Linux and Android), it can directly retrieve the kernel version number.
4. Is leaking the kernel version a privacy risk?
Yes. The kernel version is a very stable and specific identifier. Unlike browser versions that update frequently, the kernel version changes much less often, making it an excellent parameter for fingerprinting and allowing websites to track you more accurately.
5. Which browsers and OSes expose this information?
This information is primarily exposed when using Chromium-based browsers on specific operating systems. This includes Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge running on Linux, ChromeOS, and Android. Firefox, Safari, or Chromium browsers on Windows and macOS typically do not expose this information.
6. My result shows “N/A” or is not applicable. Why?
If you see “N/A,” it’s likely because your browser (e.g., Firefox, Safari) or operating system (e.g., Windows, macOS) does not support retrieving kernel information via this browser API. Additionally, if you are using a privacy tool or a fingerprint browser, it may have already hidden or modified this information.
7. What’s the difference between OS version and Kernel version?
The OS version is the user-facing full distribution name (e.g., Ubuntu 22.04), while the kernel version is its underlying core component version (e.g., Linux 5.15.0). Different OS distributions might use the same kernel version, making the kernel a more consistent tracking metric.
8. How can websites use this information against me?
- Advanced Fingerprinting: To create a more unique and harder-to-change user fingerprint when combined with other data (like screen resolution, fonts).
- Fraud Detection: To detect inconsistencies in a user’s environment. For example, if a user claims to be on Windows but their browser exposes a Linux kernel, it could be flagged as suspicious by security systems.
9. Can I hide or change my kernel version information?
It’s difficult to do this directly in a standard browser. Regular private modes or extensions usually cannot touch such low-level APIs. To effectively control this information, you need specialized tools like a fingerprint browser.
10. How does this tool help me?
This tool gives you a clear view of how specific your digital footprint is. By understanding what sensitive, low-level information your browser is exposing, you can become more aware of the fragility of online privacy and take appropriate steps to protect yourself.
Control Your Digital Fingerprint: The Power of FlashID
As we’ve seen, modern website tracking has delved deep, reaching the kernel level of your operating system. Simply changing your User-Agent string is no longer enough to protect your online identity. Platforms can use new APIs like navigator.userAgentData to obtain your kernel version, CPU core count, and other low-level hardware details, building a device fingerprint that is nearly impossible to fake.
When you need to manage multiple online accounts, this deep environmental detection poses a significant risk. Once a platform detects that multiple accounts share the same kernel fingerprint, it will immediately associate them, leading to account bans or business losses.
FlashID is a professional fingerprint browser designed to solve this fundamental problem. It doesn’t just modify surface-level browser parameters; it goes deep to spoof information at the core API level:
- Authentic Emulation: FlashID can emulate a complete and logically consistent fingerprint for each browser profile, including different OS kernel versions, CPU, memory, and graphics card information.
- Leak Prevention: It can completely block or return a fake kernel version, preventing websites from accessing your real system details.
By using FlashID, you can ensure that each account operates in a truly isolated and unique browser environment, completely eliminating the risks associated with environmental correlation and allowing you to conduct your business with peace of mind.
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