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How to Enable Privacy and Security in Firefox Computer

Learn how to enable the privacy settings in Mozilla Firefox browser. You can further enhance the privacy and security using the different built-in options.

Firefox Computer browser features many options and settings to enable privacy and security. The significant features you can use for the same are to stop Firefox from sending technical and interaction data, adjust Firefox content blocking, enable Do Not Track mode, customize Firefox History settings, etc.

Enhance Privacy and Security on Firefox browser

Firefox is undoubtedly one of the best browsers in terms of online privacy. Firefox is an open-source browser, meaning you can expect the best possible security and privacy for your data. In this post, we will share some easy steps to enable privacy settings in the Firefox computer.

Firefox offers you several tools to keep you protected while surfing the internet. The Firefox browser is an excellent choice if you remain conscious of privacy.

It would be best if you considered some factors to customize Firefox to meet your privacy settings. The following are some settings you need to configure for better privacy.

Stop Sending Technical and Interaction Data

The latest version of Firefox is, by default, allowed to share your technical and interaction data with its parent company Mozilla. Firefox uses this data to improve its services. We recommend you disable these settings to ensure better privacy.

Here are the steps to stop Firefox from sending analytics data:

  1. Launch the Firefox browser on your computer.
  2. Click on the Menu horizontal 3bar icon to open the options list.
  3. Select the Settings tab from the list.
    Firefox Options Menu
  4. Select the Privacy & Security tab option from the sidebar and scroll down to the Firefox Data Collection and Use.
  5. Uncheck the checkbox against – Allow Firefox to send technical and interaction data to Mozilla.
    Stop Firefox To Send Technical And Interaction Data To Mozilla

Additionally, you can always unmark the checkbox next to the Allow Firefox to send backlogs crash reports on your behalf.

Hereon, no data will be sent to Mozilla from your computer browser. However, the website trackers will still work under these settings. To block trackers, you can use the following option – Content Blocking.

Adjust Firefox Content Blocking

Content blocking is one of the best features that come along with the latest version of the Firefox browser. This option will automatically block the website that can view and track your online activities and browsing profile.

Firefox is equipped with three content-blocking modes to choose from standard, strict, and custom. It’s up to you which one you choose.

The below-stated instruction will help adjust content-blocking settings on a Firefox computer:

  1. Launch the Firefox browser on your computer.
  2. Click on the Menu horizontal 3bar icon to open the options list.
  3. Select the Settings tab from the list.
  4. Switch to Privacy & Security tab option.
  5. Under the Content Blocking section, you can see three modes – Standard, Strict, and Custom.
    Adjust Firefox Content Blocking-1
  6. Select the Strict mode from the list.

You can also choose the Custom mode and customize the privacy per needs. You can toggle ON and OFF the trackers you need to allow or disable.

Enable Do Not Track Mode

Like other browsers, Firefox also has the Do Not Track option. By enabling this option, Firefox will prevent the website you surf from tracking you. Here are the steps to enable the Do Not Track Mode:

  1. Launch the Firefox browser on your computer.
  2. Click on the Menu horizontal 3bar icon to open the options list.
  3. Select the Settings tab from the list.
  4. Switch to Privacy & Security tab option.
  5. Scroll down to see the Do Not Track option.
    Enable Do Not Track Mode
  6. Set the Do Not Track option to Always.

This will send the websites a Do Not Track signal you don’t want to be tracked.

Customize History Settings

By default, Firefox will always remember your browsing history. If you never want Firefox to store your history, you can browse in private browsing mode or set Firefox to always surf in private mode.

If this option doesn’t seem conceivable, then luckily, you can also use customized Firefox history settings. Here are the steps to custom settings for history:

  1. Launch the Firefox browser on your computer.
  2. Click on the Menu horizontal 3bar icon to open the options list.
  3. Select the Settings tab from the list.
  4. Switch to Privacy & Security tab option.
  5. Scroll down to see the History section.
  6. Change the drop-down option to Use custom settings for history. 
    Customize Firefox History Settings
  7. Now you can mark or unmark any of the options per your preferences.

You can enable the option — Clear history when Firefox closes to delete the history after exiting the browser.

Recommended Privacy Add-On

Additionally, you can benefit from numerous add-ons available for the Firefox browser to enhance the privacy settings. Go through their list and find out which one is appropriate for you.

uBlock Origin

Firefox privacy add-ons uBlock Origin

uBlock Origin is more than an ad-blocker. It is one of the best yet lightweight Firefox add-ons, primarily focusing on the content block. It is employed with several powerful tools that will filter the data and block the unreal event content from appearing in your search results.

uBlock Origin

Privacy Badger

Firefox privacy add-ons Privacy Badger

Privacy Badger is another excellent Firefox privacy add-on that prevents third-party websites from tracking your activities. It will identify the websites that try to track your activities without your permission and notify you immediately, so you can take action to remove them.

Privacy Badger

HTTPS Everywhere

Firefox privacy add-ons https everywhere

HTTPS Everywhere Firefox add-on will encrypt your communication with the websites you surf on your computer to make your computer more secure. It also warns while visiting unsecured websites that can leak your data.

HTTPS Everywhere

Bottom Line

Firefox is one of the well-known and best browsers in terms of privacy and security. However, there are still several things, as we have discussed so far, you can do to improve your privacy. Applying these privacy settings will give you the more secure browsing experience you’re always looking for.

When we compare Firefox against Chrome browser, Firefox has maintained relatively higher standards. If you think Firefox has stored too much data, you can clear history and cache cookies data.

In addition, if you know of any other Firefox privacy settings we can apply, let us know. Also, what do your privacy and security settings look like in Firefox Quantum?

Lastly, if you've any thoughts or feedback on How to Enable Privacy and Security in Firefox Computer, then feel free to drop in below comment box. You can also report the outdated information.

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Suresh Choudhary

Suresh has done a Master of Computer Application in Computer Science and has extensive knowledge of computer technology and application. He has 5+ years of experience in technical content writing and writing how-to tutorials. He uses Samsung Internet as the primary browser on his phone. Connect with Suresh on LinkedIn.

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