23 KiB
| title | icon |
|---|---|
| Web Browsers | octicons/browser-16 |
These are our current web browser recommendations and settings. We recommend keeping extensions to a minimum: they have privileged access within your browser, require you to trust the developer, can make you stand out, and weaken site isolation.
General Recommendations
Tor Browser
!!! recommendation
{ align=right }
**Tor Browser** is the choice if you need anonymity. This browser provides you with access to the Tor Bridges and [Tor Network](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tor_(network)), along with extensions that can be automatically configured to fit its three security levels - *Standard*, *Safer* and *Safest*. We recommend that you do not change any of Tor Browser's default configurations outside of the standard security levels.
[Homepage](https://www.torproject.org){ .md-button .md-button--primary } [:pg-tor:](http://2gzyxa5ihm7nsggfxnu52rck2vv4rvmdlkiu3zzui5du4xyclen53wid.onion){ .md-button } [Privacy Policy](https://support.torproject.org/tbb/tbb-3/){ .md-button }
??? downloads
- [:fontawesome-brands-windows: Windows](https://www.torproject.org/download/)
- [:fontawesome-brands-apple: macOS](https://www.torproject.org/download/)
- [:fontawesome-brands-linux: Linux](https://www.torproject.org/download/)
- [:pg-flathub: Flatpak](https://flathub.org/apps/details/com.github.micahflee.torbrowser-launcher)
- [:fontawesome-brands-google-play: Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.torproject.torbrowser)
- [:pg-f-droid: F-Droid](https://guardianproject.info/fdroid/)
- [:fontawesome-brands-git: Source](https://trac.torproject.org/projects/tor)
!!! warning You should never install any additional extensions on Tor Browser, including the ones we suggest for Firefox. Browser extensions make you stand out from other people on the Tor network, and make your browser easier to fingerprint.
Desktop Browser Recommendations
Firefox
!!! recommendation
{ align=right }
**Firefox** provides strong privacy settings such as [Enhanced Tracking Protection](https://support.mozilla.org/kb/enhanced-tracking-protection-firefox-desktop), which can help block various [types of tracking](https://support.mozilla.org/kb/enhanced-tracking-protection-firefox-desktop#w_what-enhanced-tracking-protection-blocks).
[Homepage](https://firefox.com){ .md-button .md-button--primary } [Privacy Policy](https://www.mozilla.org/privacy/firefox){ .md-button }
??? downloads
- [:fontawesome-brands-windows: Windows](https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/windows)
- [:fontawesome-brands-apple: macOS](https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/mac)
- [:fontawesome-brands-linux: Linux](https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/linux)
- [:pg-flathub: Flatpak](https://flathub.org/apps/details/org.mozilla.firefox)
- [:fontawesome-brands-git: Source](https://hg.mozilla.org/mozilla-central)
!!! warning Firefox includes a unique download token in downloads from Mozilla's website and uses telemetry in Firefox to send the token. The token is not included in releases from the Mozilla FTP.
Recommended Configuration
Tor Browser is the only way to truly browse the internet anonymously. When you use Firefox we recommend changing the following settings to protect your privacy from certain parties, but all browsers other than Tor will be traceable by somebody in some regard or another.
These options can be found in :material-menu: → Settings → Privacy & Security.
Enhanced Tracking Protection
- Select Strict Enhanced Tracking Protection
This protects you by blocking social media trackers, fingerprinting scripts (note that this does not protect you from all fingerprinting), cryptominers, cross-site tracking cookies, and some other tracking content. ETP protects against many common threats, but it does not block all tracking avenues because it is designed to have minimal to no impact on site usability.
Sanitize on Close
If you want to stay logged in to particular sites, you can allow exceptions in Cookies and Site Data → Manage Exceptions...
- Check Delete cookies and site data when Firefox is closed
This protects you from persistent cookies, but does not protect you against cookies acquired during any one browsing session. When this is enabled, it becomes possible to easily cleanse your browser cookies by simply restarting Firefox. You can set exceptions on a per-site basis, if you wish to stay logged in to a particular site you visit often.
Search Suggestions
- Disable Suggestions from the web
- Disable Suggestions from sponsors
- Disable Improve the Firefox Suggest experience
Search suggestion features may not be available in your region.
Search suggestions send everything you type in the address bar to the default search engine, regardless of whether you submit an actual search. Disabling search suggestions allows you to more precisely control what data you send to your search engine provider.
Telemetry
- Uncheck Allow Firefox to send technical and interaction data to Mozilla
- Uncheck Allow Firefox to install and run studies
- Uncheck Allow Firefox to send backlogged crash reports on your behalf
Firefox sends data about your Firefox version and language; device operating system and hardware configuration; memory, basic information about crashes and errors; outcome of automated processes like updates, safebrowsing, and activation to us. When Firefox sends data to us, your IP address is temporarily collected as part of our server logs.
HTTPS-Only Mode
- Select Enable HTTPS-Only Mode in all windows
This prevents you from unintentionally connecting to a website in plain-text HTTP. Sites without HTTPS are uncommon nowadays, so this should have little to no impact on your day to day browsing.
Sync
Firefox Sync allows your browsing data (history, bookmarks, etc.) to be accessible on all your devices and protects it with E2EE.
Extensions
We generally do not recommend installing any extensions as they increase your attack surface. However, if you want content blocking, uBlock Origin might be useful to you. The extension is also a 🏆 Recommended Extension by Mozilla.
Arkenfox (advanced)
The Arkenfox project provides a set of carefully considered options for Firefox. If you decide to use Arkenfox, a few options are subjectively strict and/or may cause some websites to not work properly - which you can easily change to suit your needs. We strongly recommend reading through their full wiki. Arkenfox also enables container support.
Brave
!!! recommendation
{ align=right }
**Brave** is built upon the Chromium browser, featuring a built in ad blocker and some [privacy features](https://brave.com/privacy-features/) enabled by default.
We only recommend Brave as a desktop browser. There are better [alternatives](#mobile-browser-recommendations) on mobile platforms.
[Visit Homepage](https://brave.com/){ .md-button .md-button--primary } [Privacy Policy](https://brave.com/privacy/browser/){ .md-button }
??? downloads
- [:fontawesome-brands-windows: Windows](https://laptop-updates.brave.com/latest/winx64)
- [:fontawesome-brands-apple: macOS](https://laptop-updates.brave.com/latest/osxarm64)
- [:fontawesome-brands-linux: Linux](https://brave.com/linux/#linux)
- [:pg-flathub: Flatpak](https://flathub.org/apps/details/com.brave.Browser)
- [:fontawesome-brands-github: Source](https://github.com/brave/brave-browse)
Recommended Configuration
Shields
Brave has privacy options such as ad and tracker blocking. It also includes some anti fingerprinting features in the Shields component. We suggest configuring these options globally across all pages that you visit.
We recommend setting Aggressive which can be found in :material-menu: Settings → Shields → Trackers & ads blocking.
We also suggest changing the fingerprinting blocker to Strict in :material-menu: Settings → Shields → Fingerprint blocking. You can always downgrade it if you need to on a per-site basis.
Social media blocking
Disable social media components in :material-menu: Settings → Social media blocking.
Privacy and Security
There are a few options in here you may want to change:
- Set the WebRTC IP Handling Policy to Disable Non-Proxied UDP in :material-menu: Settings → Privacy and Security.
- Uncheck Allow privacy-preserving product analytics (P3A)
- Uncheck Automatically send daily usage ping to Brave
- Enable Always use secure connections in :material-menu: Settings → Privacy and Security → Security.
Sanitizing on close
Select all items in Clear browsing data except for Site and Shields Settings in :material-menu: Settings → Privacy and Security → Clear browsing data → On exit.
Extensions
Disable the extensions you do not use in :material-menu: Settings → Extensions
- Uncheck Hangouts
- Uncheck Private window with Tor
- Uncheck WebTorrent
Brave is not as resistant to fingerprinting as the Tor Browser and far fewer people use Brave with Tor, so you will stand out. Where strong anonymity is required use the Tor Browser.
IPFS
InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) is a decentralized peer-to-peer network for storing and sharing data in a distributed filesystem. Unless you use it set Method to resolve IPFS resources to Disabled in :material-menu: Settings → IPFS.
Background apps
Disable background apps in :material-menu: Settings → Additional settings → System → Continue running apps when Brave is closed.
Mobile Browser Recommendations
Firefox on Android is still less secure than Chromium-based alternatives: Mozilla's engine, GeckoView, has yet to support site isolation or enable isolatedProcess.
On iOS, any app that can browse the web is restricted to using an Apple-provided WebKit framework, so there is little reason to use a third-party web browser.
Bromite
!!! recommendation
{ align=right }
**Bromite** is a Chromium-based browser with privacy and security enhancements, built-in ad blocking, and some fingerprinting randomization.
[Homepage](https://www.bromite.org){ .md-button .md-button--primary } [Privacy Policy](https://www.bromite.org/privacy){ .md-button }
??? downloads
- [:pg-f-droid: F-Droid](https://www.bromite.org/fdroid) ([Neo Store](/android/#neo-store) users can enable the *Bromite repository* in :material-dots-vertical: → **Repositories**)
- [:fontawesome-brands-github: Source](https://github.com/bromite/bromite)
These options can be found in :material-menu: → ⚙️ Settings → Privacy and Security.
Recommended Configuration
HTTPS-Only Mode
- Select Always use secure connections
This prevents you from unintentionally connecting to a website in plain-text HTTP. The HTTP protocol is extremely uncommon nowadays, so this should have little to no impact on your day to day browsing.
Always-on Incognito Mode
- Select Open links in incognito tabs always
- Select Close all open tabs on exit
- Select Open external links in incognito
Safari
!!! recommendation
{ align=right }
**Safari** is the default browser in iOS. It includes [privacy features](https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/browse-the-web-privately-iphb01fc3c85/15.0/ios/15.0) such as Intelligent Tracking Protection, Privacy Report, isolated Private Browsing tabs, iCloud Private Relay, and automatic HTTPS upgrades.
[Website](https://www.apple.com/safari/){ .md-button .md-button--primary } [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/data/en/safari/){ .md-button }
Recommended Configuration
These options can be found in ⚙️ Settings → Safari → Privacy and Security.
Cross-Site Tracking Prevention
- Enable Prevent Cross-Site Tracking
This enables WebKit's Intelligent Tracking Protection. The feature helps protect against unwanted tracking by using on-device machine learning to stop trackers. ITP protects against many common threats, but it does not block all tracking avenues because it is designed to not interfere with website usability.
Privacy Report
Privacy Report provides a snapshot of cross-site trackers currently prevented from profiling you on the website you're visiting. It can also display a weekly report to show which trackers have been blocked over time.
Privacy Report is accessible via the Page Settings menu (:pg-textformat-size:).
Privacy Preserving Ad Measurement
- Disable Privacy Preserving Ad Measurement
Ad click measurement has traditionally used tracking technology that infringes on user privacy. Private Click Measurement is a WebKit feature and proposed web standard aimed towards allowing advertisers to measure the effectiveness of web campaigns without compromising on user privacy.
The feature has little privacy concerns on its own, so while you can choose to leave it on, we consider the fact that it's automatically disabled in Private Browsing to be an indicator for disabling the feature.
Apple Pay
If you do not use Apple Pay, you can toggle off the ability for websites to check for it.
- Disable Allow websites to check for Apple Pay and Apple Card
Always-on Private Browsing
Open Safari and tap the Tabs button, located in the bottom right. Then, expand the Tab Groups list.
- Select Private
Safari's Private Browsing mode offers additional privacy protections. Private Browsing uses a new ephemeral session for each tab, meaning tabs are isolated from one another. There are also other smaller privacy benefits with Private Browsing, such as not sending a webpage’s address to Apple when using Safari's translation feature.
Do note that Private Browsing does not save cookies and website data, so it won't be possible to remain signed into sites. This may be an inconvenience.
iCloud Sync
While synchronization of Safari History, Tab Groups, and iCloud Tabs uses E2EE, bookmarks sync does not; they are only encrypted in transit and stored in an encrypted format on Apple's servers. Apple may be able to decrypt and access them.
If you use iCloud, we also recommend checking to ensure Safari's default download location is set to locally on your device. This option can be found in ⚙️ Settings → Safari → General → Downloads.
Extensions
We generally do not recommend installing any extensions as they increase your browser's attack surface; however, if you want content blocking, AdGuard for Safari might be useful to you.
Additional Resources
uBlock Origin
!!! recommendation
{ align=right }
**uBlock Origin** is a popular content blocker that could help you block ads, trackers, and fingerprinting scripts.
We suggest enabling all of the [filter lists](https://github.com/gorhill/uBlock/wiki/Dashboard:-Filter-lists) under the "Ads," "Privacy," and "Malware domains". The "Annoyances" and "Multipurpose" lists can also be enabled, but they may break some social media functions. The *AdGuard URL Tracking Protection* filter list makes extensions like CleanURLs and NeatURLs redundant.
[Extension Info](https://github.com/gorhill/uBlock#readme){ .md-button .md-button--primary }
??? downloads
- [:fontawesome-brands-firefox: Firefox](https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/ublock-origin)
- [:fontawesome-brands-chrome: Chrome](https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/ublock-origin/cjpalhdlnbpafiamejdnhcphjbkeiagm)
- [:fontawesome-brands-edge: Edge](https://microsoftedge.microsoft.com/addons/detail/ublock-origin/odfafepnkmbhccpbejgmiehpchacaeak)
- [:fontawesome-brands-opera: Opera](https://addons.opera.com/extensions/details/ublock)
- [:fontawesome-brands-github: Source](https://github.com/gorhill/uBlock)
We also suggest adding the Actually Legitimate URL Shortener Tool list and any of the regional lists that might apply to your browsing habits. To add this list, first access settings by clicking on the uBO icon, then the settings icon ( ⚙️ ). Go to the bottom of the Filter lists pane and place a checkmark next to Import under the Custom section. Paste the URL of the filter list above into the text area that appears below and click "Apply changes".
Additional filter lists do slow things down and may increase your attack surface, so only apply what you need.
uBlock Origin also has different blocking modes. The easy mode might not necessarily keep you safe from every tracker out there, whereas the more advanced modes let you control exactly what needs to run.
AdGuard for Safari
!!! recommendation
{ align=right }
**AdGuard for Safari** is a free and open-source content-blocking extension for Safari that uses the native [Content Blocker API](https://developer.apple.com/documentation/safariservices/creating_a_content_blocker).
We suggest enabling the filters labled *#recommended* under the "Ad Blocking" and "Privacy" [content blockers](https://kb.adguard.com/en/safari/overview#content-blockers). The *#recommended* filters can also be enabled for the "Social Widgets" and "Annoyances" content blockers, but they may break some social media functions.
[Website](https://adguard.com/en/adguard-safari/overview.html){ .md-button .md-button--primary } [Privacy Policy](https://adguard.com/en/privacy/safari.html){ .md-button }
??? downloads
- [:fontawesome-brands-safari: Safari](https://apps.apple.com/app/adguard-for-safari/id1440147259)
- [:fontawesome-brands-app-store-ios: App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id1047223162)
- [:fontawesome-brands-git: Source](https://github.com/AdguardTeam/AdGuardForSafari)
Additional filter lists do slow things down and may increase your attack surface, so only apply what you need.
There is also AdGuard for iOS which is able to perform system-wide content blocking by means of DNS filtering.
Snowflake
!!! recommendation
{ align=right }
{ align=right }
**Snowflake** is a browser extension which allows you to donate bandwidth to the Tor Project by operating a "Snowflake proxy" within your browser. People who are censored can use Snowflake proxies to connect to the Tor network. Installing this extension is a great way to contribute to the network even if you don't have the technical know-how to run a Tor relay or bridge.
[Website](https://snowflake.torproject.org/){ .md-button .md-button--primary }
The Snowflake browser extension does not increase your privacy in any way, nor is it used to connect to the Tor network within your personal browser. However, if your internet connection is uncensored, you should consider running it to help people in censored networks achieve better privacy themselves. There is no need to worry about which websites people are accessing through your proxy. Their visible browsing IP address will match their Tor exit node, not yours.
Running a Snowflake proxy is low-risk, even moreso than running a Tor relay or bridge which are already not particularly risky endeavours. However, it does still proxy traffic through your network which can be impactful in some ways, especially if your network is bandwidth-limited. Make sure you understand how Snowflake works before deciding whether to run a proxy.
Terms of Service; Didn't Read
!!! recommendation
{ align=right }
**Terms of Service; Didn't Read** grades websites based on their terms of service agreements and privacy policies. It also gives short summaries of those agreements. The analyses and ratings are published transparently by a community of reviewers.
[Website](https://tosdr.org){ .md-button .md-button--primary } [Privacy Policy](https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/terms-of-service-didnt-read/privacy){ .md-button }
We do not recommend installing ToS;DR as a browser extension; the same information is also provided on their website.
--8<-- "includes/abbreviations.en.md"