Your web browser is the primary tool advertisers and trackers use to build a profile on you. This guide shows you how to configure Firefox or Brave to block most tracking without breaking the sites you use.
Install from your browser's official extension store (must say "Origin"). Blocks ads, tracking scripts, malware domains, and cryptominers. Leave default filter lists enabled. Don't stack multiple ad blockers.
Firefox: Settings → Privacy → Enhanced Tracking Protection → Strict. Brave: Settings → Shields → Block third-party cookies. This stops most cross-site tracking immediately.
Firefox: Settings → Privacy → HTTPS-Only Mode → enable in all windows. Brave: enabled by default. Forces encrypted connections, protecting you on public Wi-Fi.
Firefox: type about:config, search media.peerconnection.enabled, set to false. Brave handles this automatically. Prevents your real IP from leaking through VPNs.
Change in your browser's Search settings. DuckDuckGo doesn't track searches, build profiles, or personalize results based on your history.
Firefox: Settings → Privacy → Firefox Data Collection → uncheck all. Brave: Settings → Privacy → disable performance metrics. Stops unnecessary data from leaving your machine.
Firefox: Settings → Privacy → "Delete cookies when Firefox is closed." Brave: Settings → Privacy → clear on exit. Your password manager handles re-logins seamlessly.
Firefox: Settings → Privacy → DNS over HTTPS → "Max Protection" → choose Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) or NextDNS. This encrypts your DNS queries so your ISP can't monitor your browsing.
Remove anything you don't actively use. Each extension has access to browsing data. Malicious or poorly-maintained extensions are a common attack vector. Keep only: password manager, uBlock Origin, and one or two others you trust.
Browser configuration is one layer. In a consultation, we review your browser, phone, email, cloud storage, and connected accounts together to build a complete privacy profile.