Essential Browser Privacy Settings You Should Change Right Now

Why Browser Privacy Settings Matter

Your web browser is the gateway to nearly everything you do online. By default, most browsers are configured to prioritize convenience and compatibility over privacy. This means they allow extensive tracking, store detailed browsing histories, and share information with advertisers.

Adjusting a few key settings can dramatically reduce the data you leak while browsing — without breaking your experience.

Firefox Privacy Settings

Firefox offers the best built-in privacy controls among mainstream browsers.

Essential Changes

• Enhanced Tracking Protection — Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Select "Strict" mode. This blocks social media trackers, cross-site cookies, fingerprinting, and cryptominers
• DNS over HTTPS — Enable in Settings > Privacy & Security > scroll to DNS over HTTPS. Choose Cloudflare or NextDNS
• Search engine — Switch default to DuckDuckGo (Settings > Search)
• Cookies — Set to "Delete cookies and site data when Firefox is closed"
• Permissions — Review camera, microphone, location, and notification permissions regularly

Recommended Extensions

• uBlock Origin (ad and tracker blocking)
• Privacy Badger (automatic tracker detection)
• ClearURLs (removes tracking parameters from URLs)

Chrome Privacy Settings

Chrome is made by Google, an advertising company, so it requires more configuration for privacy.

Essential Changes

• Third-party cookies — Settings > Privacy and Security > Cookies > Block third-party cookies
• Safe Browsing — Keep "Enhanced protection" enabled
• Do Not Track — Enable the "Send a Do Not Track request"
• Site Settings — Review permissions for location, camera, microphone, notifications
• Clear browsing data — Set up automatic clearing on exit

Important Note

Even with optimal settings, Chrome still sends data to Google. For serious privacy, consider switching to Firefox or Brave.

Safari Privacy Settings

Safari has strong privacy defaults on Mac and iOS.

Essential Changes

• Intelligent Tracking Prevention — Enabled by default. Verify in Preferences > Privacy
• Hide IP address — Enable "Hide IP address from trackers"
• Fraudulent site warnings — Keep enabled
• Cross-site tracking — Ensure "Prevent cross-site tracking" is checked

Brave Browser

Brave is built specifically for privacy with aggressive defaults.

Key Features (Already Enabled)

• Blocks ads and trackers by default
• Fingerprinting protection built-in
• HTTPS-only mode
• Built-in Tor windows for anonymous browsing

Worth Adjusting

• Search engine — Switch from Brave Search to DuckDuckGo if preferred
• Social media blocking — Settings > Social media blocking > Block all

Universal Tips for All Browsers

Regardless of which browser you use:

• Keep your browser updated — Security patches are critical
• Minimize extensions — Each extension increases your attack surface
• Use private/incognito mode for sensitive browsing
• Clear cookies regularly or use containers to isolate sites
• Check URLs carefully — Watch for tracking parameters before clicking

Small changes to your browser settings create a significantly more private browsing experience without sacrificing usability.