In recent years, data scandals like the Facebook-Cambridge Analytica controversy have highlighted just how often and extensively companies track and collect our personal data. Big tech giants, such as Facebook and Google, build detailed profiles of users based on their browsing habits, often selling this data for profit through advertising. Additionally, third-party trackers are constantly gathering our information for their own gain.

Browsers like Firefox and Safari are making strides to improve user privacy. If you’re tired of seeing overly personalized ads or being constantly tracked online, Firefox offers a useful tool to help protect your privacy. With Firefox’s privacy-reporting feature, you’ll be notified if your data is at risk, see how frequently you’re being tracked, and get the option to adjust your privacy settings as needed.

How to Use Firefox’s Privacy Protection Tools

Firefox has built-in privacy features that work in the background to keep your data safe from trackers, cookies, and other privacy threats. With features like Enhanced Tracking Protection, Firefox blocks unwanted trackers and malicious scripts, making your browsing experience safer. If you’re ready to take control of your online privacy, the Firefox Protection Dashboard is where you’ll want to start.

1. Make Sure You Have Firefox 70 or Higher

To access the privacy tools, you need to have at least version 70 of Firefox installed. You can download or update your browser through the Mozilla website.

2. Find the Shield Icon in the Address Bar

Once you have the updated version of Firefox, look for the Shield icon in the address bar. Clicking on this icon will show you which trackers, cookies, and other elements are being blocked on the current webpage. This gives you an immediate overview of the privacy protections active on that page.

Under the Shield icon, you can access the Protection Settings, where you can adjust the privacy features. Here’s a breakdown of the options available:

• Standard: This is the default privacy setting, blocking social media trackers, cross-site cookies, cryptominers, and fingerprinters. It also blocks tracking content in Private Windows.

• Strict: This setting provides enhanced privacy by blocking cross-site cookies and tracking content in all windows, not just private browsing. Keep in mind that this setting might affect how some websites function or display content.

• Custom: With this option, you can choose which types of trackers and scripts to block. It gives you the flexibility to tweak Firefox’s privacy protection to your needs, but it may impact some website functionalities.

Additionally, you can enable features like “Do Not Track,” opt for notifications when a website tries to install add-ons, and enable HTTPS-Only Mode for secure browsing.

Once you’ve customized your privacy settings, click the Reload All Tabs button to apply the changes.

3. Explore the Protections Dashboard

The Protections Dashboard provides a detailed view of the trackers Firefox has blocked over the past week. You can see a breakdown of:

• Social Media Trackers: These trackers use your data to deliver targeted ads.

• Cross-Site Tracking Cookies: These cookies gather your browsing history across different sites.

• Fingerprinters: These create a unique user profile based on your device, settings, and apps.

• Cryptominers: These secretly use your device’s resources to mine cryptocurrency.

You can also sign up for Breach Alerts, a service that notifies you via email if your data has been part of a known data breach. The dashboard also gives you access to your saved passwords and offers insights into how Firefox secures your login credentials.

While you can add browser extensions to Firefox, it’s important to be mindful of how many you install, as each additional plugin can potentially compromise your privacy.

Conclusion

To protect your personal information from online threats like malware, phishing, and deceptive websites, it’s crucial to understand how your data is being collected and take steps to optimize your privacy settings. By using Firefox’s privacy features and Protection Dashboard, you can significantly enhance your online security and take control over how your data is handled while browsing.