ScanMyPrivacy is a free set of tools that show what a website can learn about you from your connection and browser, and what you can do about it. No signup, no installs.
Our principles
- We do not log visitor IP addresses. See the privacy policy for exactly what is and is not kept.
- Tests run on your device where possible. The fingerprint test and WebRTC test run entirely in your browser.
- We say when we are estimating. IP location, VPN detection and fingerprint uniqueness are estimates, and the pages say so.
- Affiliate links are labelled and never change what a test reports.
How the tests work
| Tool | Method |
|---|---|
| IP lookup | Our server reads the address your connection came from and looks up approximate location and network in a third-party geolocation database. |
| DNS leak test | Your browser resolves unique hostnames under a zone served by our own DNS server. We record which resolver asked and identify its network. |
| WebRTC leak test | Your browser gathers ICE candidates using a STUN server. The comparison with the address we see happens in your browser. |
| Fingerprint test | Standard browser APIs are read locally and hashed. Nothing is uploaded. |
| VPN check | Network-name and ASN matching, time zone comparison and WebRTC comparison. |
| Port checker | Our server attempts a TCP connection to 24 common ports on your own public IP, and only yours. |
How the privacy score is calculated
The full scan adds up points across five categories: network exposure (38), WebRTC (15), DNS (15), browser fingerprint (20) and tracking signals (12). A check that cannot run is left out and the score is rescaled to 100. The quick score on the home page uses only the connection: it starts at 100 and subtracts points for a visible IP, city-level location, identifiable ISP and readable device details, with smaller deductions when the network looks like a VPN.
It is a heuristic about exposure, not a security audit. It does not scan for malware, check your passwords or judge what individual sites do with your data.
How we make money
Some links, such as the VPN recommendations, are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. That pays for hosting. Partners cannot buy a better result. If a test says you are well protected, it says so even if that means no one clicks.
What this site is for
ScanMyPrivacy started as a way to see what a website can learn from your connection. It now also helps with everyday safety: checking a link before you open it, recognising a scam message, setting up your browser and phone sensibly, and choosing the next few actions that matter most. The aim is to say plainly what was tested, what was not, and what to do next.
What we will not do
- We will not claim a score or a green result means you are protected. Every tool lists what it cannot see.
- We will not put a paid recommendation where it could mislead you. Affiliate options are labelled, never the only option, and not shown on scam, safe browsing or mobile safety guides.
- We will not ask for an account to use the tools, and we do not track you across other sites.
Where it falls short
IP location is approximate, VPN detection is an inference, and a website cannot see malware on your device. The link and message checkers use rules, so they can miss new tricks and occasionally flag something harmless. Treat them as a second opinion, not a verdict. If you are unsure about a message from a bank or an official body, contact the organisation using a number or address you already trust.
Corrections and contact
If something is wrong or out of date, tell us at contact@scanmyprivacy.com. Each guide has a correction link and a last-updated date, and the methodology page explains how guides and recommendations are chosen and reviewed.
We also publish anonymous, aggregate totals from our tests on the statistics page, with the method and the limits of what they show.
Data sources
IP geolocation comes from third-party providers and is approximate. Resolver and VPN detection lists are best-effort and incomplete. If you find an error, please tell us and we will correct it.