I'm based in the UK and I've been using a VPN to mask my IP address. I clear all tracking data from my browser, turn on the VPN to connect to a different country, and even use private mode. Despite all that, Reddit keeps recommending UK-based subreddits to me. My IP indicates I'm in a different country, and other sites show my new location correctly. Am I missing something important here?
1 Answer
You're not missing anything major! These days, just having a different IP isn't enough to hide your actual location. Websites like Reddit often use various methods to pinpoint your location. Here’s what might be happening:
1. **Browser Fingerprinting**: Even in incognito mode, your browser can reveal a lot, like language settings, time zone, and even device info.
2. **Time Zone**: If your system clock shows UK time, Reddit might just infer you’re still there.
3. **DNS Leaks**: Some VPNs don’t properly hide your DNS requests, which can expose your real location.
4. **Cached Data**: Old cookies or cached data might linger and still suggest where you’ve been.
5. **HTML5 Geolocation**: Though unlikely if you’re logged out, some sites can still use more precise methods to track you if you’ve allowed such access in the past.
Absolutely! You can tackle this by trying a few things like spoofing your time zone or switching to a privacy-focused browser. Just check your VPN for DNS leak protection too!