Understanding Browser Privacy Fundamentals
Before diving into specific settings, it's important to understand what you're protecting and the privacy threats browsers can pose:
What Browsers Track
- Browsing History: The websites you visit and how often you visit them
- Cookies: Small files that websites store on your device to remember your preferences and login status
- Cache: Temporary storage of website content for faster loading
- Form Data: Information you enter into forms, including usernames and passwords
- Search Queries: Terms you search for within the browser or search engines
- Location Data: Your physical location (if permission is granted)
- Device Information: Details about your computer, operating system, and browser
Privacy vs. Convenience
Stricter privacy settings may impact convenience features like autofill, remembered logins, and personalised content. Finding the right balance is key—the settings recommended in this guide aim to significantly improve privacy while maintaining a good browsing experience.
Privacy Levels Explained
Throughout this guide, we'll reference three privacy levels:
Key Privacy Settings for Google Chrome
Chrome is the most popular browser globally, but requires several adjustments to improve privacy:
Cookie and Site Data Settings
Recommended setting (Balanced): "Block third-party cookies in Incognito" and "Block third-party cookies from sites not visited"
Strict setting: "Block third-party cookies"
This prevents tracking cookies from sites you haven't directly visited, reducing cross-site tracking significantly.
Location Settings
Recommended setting: "Don't allow sites to see your location"
You can always grant permission to specific sites that need your location, such as maps or weather services.
Disable Usage Statistics and Crash Reports
Recommended setting: Turn off "Help improve Chrome's features and performance"
This prevents Chrome from sending usage data back to Google.
Search Engine Settings
Privacy-focused alternative: Change your default search engine to DuckDuckGo or Startpage for more private searching
Enhanced Protection
Recommended setting: "Standard protection" or "Enhanced protection"
Note that Enhanced protection does send some browsing data to Google, which helps protect against malicious sites but has some privacy implications.
Tip
Use Chrome's "Privacy Sandbox" settings to control new privacy features that replace third-party cookies. Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Privacy Sandbox and review each feature.
Key Privacy Settings for Mozilla Firefox
Firefox is known for its strong privacy features and is a good choice for privacy-conscious users:
Enhanced Tracking Protection
Recommended setting (Balanced): "Strict"
Basic setting: "Standard"
Strict mode blocks social media trackers, cross-site tracking cookies, fingerprinters, cryptominers, and tracking content in all windows.
Cookies and Site Data
Recommended setting: "Delete cookies and site data when Firefox is closed" with exceptions for sites you want to stay logged in to
Add exceptions for websites where you want to maintain login status by clicking "Manage Exceptions..."
Enable DNS over HTTPS
Recommended setting: "Enable DNS over HTTPS" using "Next DNS" or another trusted provider
This encrypts your DNS requests, preventing your ISP from seeing which websites you visit.
HTTPS-Only Mode
Recommended setting: "Enable HTTPS-Only Mode in all windows"
This ensures your connections to websites are encrypted whenever possible.
Disable Firefox Data Collection
Recommended setting: Uncheck all boxes
This prevents Firefox from collecting technical and interaction data, offering new features, and running studies.
Tip
Firefox's Containers feature allows you to separate browsing contexts. For example, you can keep work browsing separate from personal browsing. Find this in Settings > Privacy & Security > Firefox Multi-Account Containers.
Key Privacy Settings for Microsoft Edge
Edge is based on Chromium and includes several privacy features:
Tracking Prevention
Recommended setting (Balanced): "Balanced"
Strict setting: "Strict"
Balanced blocks trackers from sites you haven't visited and known harmful trackers, while Strict blocks most trackers but may cause some sites to break.
Block Third-Party Cookies
Recommended setting: "Block third-party cookies"
This prevents sites from tracking you across the web while allowing cookies necessary for login on sites you visit.
Site Permissions
Recommended settings: Review all permissions (Location, Camera, Microphone, etc.) and set to "Ask before accessing" or "Block"
Disable Diagnostic Data
Recommended setting: Set "Send required diagnostic data" to "Basic" and turn off all other diagnostic data sharing options
Clear Browsing Data on Close
Recommended setting: Turn on and select at least "Browsing history," "Cookies and other site data," and "Cached images and files"
Key Privacy Settings for Safari (macOS)
Safari includes robust privacy features by default but can be further enhanced:
Prevent Cross-Site Tracking
Recommended setting: Check "Prevent cross-site tracking"
This limits third-party cookies and website data from tracking you across websites.
Hide IP Address from Trackers
Recommended setting: Check "Hide IP address from trackers"
This routes your browsing through relay servers for enhanced privacy.
Website Tracking
Recommended setting: Check "Prevent cross-site tracking" and "Hide IP address from trackers"
Block All Cookies
Balanced setting: "Allow from websites I visit"
Strict setting: "Always block"
Blocking all cookies provides maximum privacy but will disrupt many websites. The balanced approach blocks third-party cookies while allowing first-party cookies.
Location Services
Recommended setting: "Never" or "Ask"
This prevents Safari from accessing your location or requires confirmation each time.
Tip
Safari's Privacy Report shows you how many trackers have been prevented from profiling you and which websites use the most trackers. Click the Shield icon in the address bar to view this report.
Privacy Extensions for All Browsers
Browser extensions can significantly enhance your privacy protection:
Essential Privacy Extensions
- uBlock Origin: An efficient wide-spectrum content blocker that blocks ads, trackers, and malware sites
- Privacy Badger: Automatically learns to block invisible trackers without breaking websites
- HTTPS Everywhere: Ensures you connect to websites using secure HTTPS when available
- Decentraleyes: Protects against tracking through CDN (Content Delivery Network) requests
- Cookie AutoDelete: Automatically deletes cookies when you close a tab
Caution
Only install extensions from your browser's official store or the extension developer's website. Malicious extensions can compromise your privacy and security rather than enhance it.
Installing Privacy Extensions
- Open your browser's extension store:
- Chrome: Chrome Web Store
- Firefox: Firefox Add-ons
- Edge: Microsoft Edge Add-ons
- Safari: Safari Extensions (App Store)
- Search for the extension by name
- Check reviews and developer information to verify legitimacy
- Click "Add to [Browser]" or "Install"
- Configure the extension according to your preferences
Comparing Browser Privacy Features
This table compares the built-in privacy features of major browsers:
| Feature | Chrome | Firefox | Edge | Safari |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blocks third-party cookies by default | No | Partial | No | Yes |
| Fingerprinting protection | Limited | Yes | Limited | Yes |
| DNS over HTTPS | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Tracking protection | Basic | Strong | Moderate | Strong |
| Private browsing mode | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in ad blocking | No | Partial | No | Yes |
| HTTPS-Only mode | No | Yes | No | Partial |
| Container tabs/isolation | No | Yes | No | No |
Private Browsing and Incognito Mode
All major browsers offer a private browsing mode, but it's important to understand its limitations:
What Private Browsing Does:
- Doesn't save your browsing history, cookies, or site data after closing
- Doesn't store information entered in forms
- Doesn't keep track of downloaded files in the browser's download history
- Treats all cookies as session cookies (deleted when closed)
What Private Browsing Doesn't Do:
- Hide your browsing from your ISP, employer, or school
- Prevent websites from seeing your IP address
- Protect against fingerprinting completely
- Hide your identity or location (not a VPN or Tor)
- Protect against malware or phishing
Note
For truly anonymous browsing, consider using the Tor Browser, which routes your traffic through multiple servers and implements various anti-fingerprinting measures. However, it's significantly slower than standard browsers.
Regularly Clear Browsing Data
Periodically clearing your browsing data helps maintain privacy:
What to Clear Regularly
- Browsing history: Record of websites you've visited
- Download history: Record of files you've downloaded
- Cookies and site data: Information stored by websites
- Cached images and files: Temporary files stored to speed up browsing
- Passwords (optional): Only if you use a separate password manager
- Autofill form data (optional): Saved information for forms
How to Set Up Automatic Clearing
Google Chrome:
- Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data
- Select "Advanced" tab
- Select the types of data you want to clear
- Click "Clear data"
- To automate: Use an extension like "Click&Clean"
Mozilla Firefox:
- Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data
- Check "Delete cookies and site data when Firefox is closed"
- Click "Exceptions" to allow specific sites if needed
- For more control: Click "Clear History when Firefox closes" and click "Settings" to select what gets cleared
Microsoft Edge:
- Go to Settings > Privacy, search, and services
- Scroll to "Clear browsing data"
- Click "Choose what to clear every time you close the browser"
- Select the items you want to automatically clear
Safari (macOS):
- Go to Safari menu > Settings > Privacy
- Click "Manage Website Data" to see and remove stored data
- For history: Go to Safari menu > Clear History
- For automation: Go to Safari menu > Settings > General > "Remove history items after" and select a time period
Balancing Privacy and Functionality
Finding the right balance between privacy and website functionality takes some experimentation:
Common Website Issues with Privacy Settings
- Login Problems: Strict cookie blocking can prevent login functionality
- Broken Elements: Content blockers may break page layouts or features
- Performance Issues: Some privacy extensions can slow browsing
- Captchas: You may see more captchas with strict privacy settings
Creating a Site Whitelist
For trusted websites where functionality is important, consider creating exceptions:
- Identify websites you use frequently and trust
- For each browser, find the exceptions or whitelist settings:
- Chrome: Settings > Privacy and security > Site Settings > Permissions
- Firefox: Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data > Manage Exceptions
- Edge: Settings > Cookies and site permissions > Manage exceptions
- Safari: Settings > Privacy > Manage Website Data
- Add trusted sites to your exceptions list
- Consider using different browsers for different purposes (e.g., Firefox with strict settings for general browsing, Chrome with more permissive settings for work applications)
Tip
Most content blockers like uBlock Origin allow you to temporarily disable them for specific sites with just a click. Look for a "pause" or "power" button in the extension toolbar.
Beyond Browser Settings: Additional Privacy Measures
Browser settings are just one aspect of online privacy. Consider these additional measures:
Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
A VPN encrypts your internet connection and hides your IP address from websites:
- Protects your browsing from your ISP
- Masks your location and IP address
- Secures connections on public Wi-Fi
- Helps bypass geographic restrictions
Look for reputable VPN providers with no-logging policies and strong encryption.
DNS Privacy
Your DNS queries (website lookups) can reveal your browsing activity:
- Use encrypted DNS services like Cloudflare (1.1.1.1), Quad9, or NextDNS
- Configure DNS over HTTPS in your browser (as explained earlier)
- Or set up system-wide encrypted DNS for all applications
Use a Password Manager
Avoiding browser password storage improves security:
- Dedicated password managers use stronger encryption
- They work across all browsers and devices
- They aren't vulnerable to browser-specific security issues
- They can help you identify and change weak or reused passwords
Stay Updated
Privacy features and tracking techniques evolve constantly:
- Keep your browser updated to the latest version
- Periodically review privacy settings after browser updates
- Stay informed about new privacy features and threats
- Check privacy extension settings occasionally for updates
Need Help Configuring Browser Privacy?
If you're struggling to set up your browser for optimal privacy or experiencing website issues related to privacy settings, our technicians can help. We offer remote support to configure your browsers properly across all your devices.
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