14 KiB
| title | icon | tags | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Web Browsers | octicons/browser-16 |
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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
These options can be found in :material-menu: → Settings → Privacy & Security.
Enhanced Tracking Protection (ETP)
- Select Strict
Sanitize on Close
If you want to stay logged in to particular sites, you can allow exceptions in Cookies and Site Data → Manage Exceptions...
- Select Delete cookies and site data when Firefox is closed
Disable Search Suggestions
- Clear Suggestions from the web
- Clear Suggestions from sponsors
- Clear Improve the Firefox Suggest experience
Search suggestion features may not be available in your region.
Disable Telemetry
- Clear Allow Firefox to send technical and interaction data to Mozilla
- Clear Allow Firefox to install and run studies
- Clear Allow Firefox to send backlogged crash reports on your behalf
HTTPS-Only Mode
- Select Enable HTTPS-Only Mode in all windows
Sync
The Firefox Sync service uses 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. These options are quite strict but a few are subjective and may cause some websites to not work properly. You can easily change these settings to suit your needs. We strongly recommend reading through their wiki. Arkenfox also enables container support.
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
- [:fontawesome-brands-android: Android](https://www.bromite.org/fdroid)
- [: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
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 WebKit's Intelligent Tracking Protection.
- Select Prevent Cross-Site Tracking to enable
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 through the "Aa" icon in the URL bar.
Privacy Preserving Ad Measurement
This is WebKit's own implementation of privacy preserving ad click attribution. If you do not wish to participate, you can disable this feature.
- Select Privacy Preserving Ad Measurement
Apple Pay
If you do not use Apple Pay, you can toggle off the ability for websites to check for it.
- Select Check for Apple Pay
Always-on Private Browsing
Open Safari and press the tabs icon in the bottom right corner. Open Tab Groups, located in the bottom middle.
- Select Private
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.
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 provided on their website.
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