Tweaks for protecting your privacy when surfing with the Firefox browser
Spy Patrol
The Firefox browser is not so private under its default settings, but several add-ons and configuration settings will help you keep the spies in the dark.
Product advertising already existed in ancient Greece, but it really got rolling in the 19th century with the rise of newspapers, magazines, and other print media. Now in the Internet age, advertising is spreading with an unprecedented intensity, and corporations are trying to track consumer habits and preferences as accurately as possible to assist with their advertising campaigns.
The Mozilla Foundation has strong roots in the open source movement, but through the years, it has derived a big share of its revenue from its affiliation with search engine companies that depend on tracking and analytics. As a result, the default settings for Mozilla's Firefox browser are not particularly private, but if you want to keep the spies away, Firefox offers add-ons and advanced configuration settings that will help you privatize your browser experience.
Mozilla Under Suspicion
Due to its wide distribution, Firefox has numerous plugins that put a stop to spying. Nevertheless, cautious users will want to check the Firefox browser itself and, if necessary, control it manually, because the Mozilla project has also been under suspicion several times.
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
The Bullet-Proof KDE Software Initiative Is Coming
KDE, Techpaladin, and Kubuntu Focus have announced a new initiative that will provide at least three years of support for KDE Plasma 6.6 LTS and related software.
-
Linux Mint Shares a Possible Kernel Cleanup Solution
For those on Linux Mint who like to keep multiple kernels around but don't want them to take up too much space, you might be getting a new automated tool.
-
CachyOS Gets an Update
CachyOS August 2026 release is now available with the latest version of KDE, some new features, and plenty of improvements.
-
The Linux Kernel Dev Staging Area Now Rejects AI-Generated Patches
Unless a kernel patch is a valid security fix, it will be rejected if it was created using AI.
-
Linux Surpasses Double-Digit Market Share
According to two sources, the Linux operating system has hit a major milestone in market share that naysayers thought would never happen.
-
AI Helped Develop a Linux Exploit
A use-after-free race exploit was discovered and exploited on CentOS Stream 9.
-
Yet Another Linux Kernel Vulnerability Discovered
Affecting millions of systems, a kernel flaw discovered by Qualys could allow users to gain root privileges.
-
Ubuntu 26.10 to Include Ubuntu Certified Hardware Check
If you've ever wondered if your laptop or PC is officially certified to run Ubuntu, that curiosity will soon be met.
-
Substantial Update to IPFire Now Available
The lastest version of IPFire features a fundamental change to how the system handles DNS.
-
Gnome Working on Test Center App to Make Testing Easier
It's now possible to test experimental features on the Gnome desktop without worrying that you'll break things.
