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Is there a privacy-maximizing combination of browsers and extensions that keeps the web mostly usable? I'm currently running chrome with uBlock Origin and uMat

by abtinf 8y ago

Is there a privacy-maximizing combination of browsers and extensions that keeps the web mostly usable? I'm currently running chrome with uBlock Origin and uMatrix. uMatrix is a bit of a hassle, but I didn't realize the scope of the threat landscape until I saw the huge number of (potential) trackers called out by almost every site.

daxterspeed 8y ago
gorhill, the developer of uBlock Origin, has already fixed the issues affecting uBlock Origin (AppCache and SW). "Regarding [who left open the cookie jar] I was contacted in March by one of the researcher regarding the "behind-the-scene" issues (the "AppCache" and "SW" columns in the tables). This was fixed in 1.15.20 [...]" https://twitter.com/gorhill/status/1030071494263615489 https://twitter.com/gorhill/status/1030071494263615489 I believe the only proper step up from your setup would be to switch to browsing exclusively via Tor. Generally smaller browsers that advertise themselves as "privacy-maximizing" make basic mistakes like serving their own user agent - instead of using one of the extremely common user agents. Or at least that was the situation a few years ago.
FridgeSeal 8y ago
Maybe swap from Chrome to Firefox? If nothing else, Firefox isn’t built by a literal advertising company.
- abtinf 8y ago
  Is there a meaningful distinction between a browser built by an advertising company, and a browser built by another company that earns almost all of its revenue from the advertising company?
  - move-on-by 8y ago
    * Well, Firefox being fully open source is certainly a distinction that counts with me. * Their built-in tracking protection is also another distinction [1]. * Ability to modify core settings to improve privacy is also really nice, but not viable for the average user [2]. * Firefox on android is the only mobile browser that allows you to install add-ons. I'm not talking special mobile-made add-ons. Any add-on that you can install on desktop, you can install on the mobile version. Although usability will definitely vary. uBlock Origin, Privay Badger, Decentraleyes, Cookie AutoDelete - all available on Firefox mobile for android I'm not going to go as far as saying Firefox deserves your 100% trust. They have definitely made some missteps along the way. However, as far as meaningful distinction, yes I think that is well earned. [1] https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/tracking-protection https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/tracking-protection [2] https://www.privacytools.io/#about_config https://www.privacytools.io/#about_config
earenndil 8y ago
Ublock0, umatrix, privacy badger, noscript (take your pick -- you can use any one of those, up to all 4). Decentraleyes. Self-destructing cookies.

by abtinf 8y ago

daxterspeed 8y ago

gorhill, the developer of uBlock Origin, has already fixed the issues affecting uBlock Origin (AppCache and SW). "Regarding [who left open the cookie jar] I was contacted in March by one of the researcher regarding the "behind-the-scene" issues (the "AppCache" and "SW" columns in the tables). This was fixed in 1.15.20 [...]" https://twitter.com/gorhill/status/1030071494263615489 https://twitter.com/gorhill/status/1030071494263615489 I believe the only proper step up from your setup would be to switch to browsing exclusively via Tor. Generally smaller browsers that advertise themselves as "privacy-maximizing" make basic mistakes like serving their own user agent - instead of using one of the extremely common user agents. Or at least that was the situation a few years ago.

FridgeSeal 8y ago

Maybe swap from Chrome to Firefox? If nothing else, Firefox isn’t built by a literal advertising company.

abtinf 8y ago
Is there a meaningful distinction between a browser built by an advertising company, and a browser built by another company that earns almost all of its revenue from the advertising company?
- move-on-by 8y ago
  * Well, Firefox being fully open source is certainly a distinction that counts with me. * Their built-in tracking protection is also another distinction [1]. * Ability to modify core settings to improve privacy is also really nice, but not viable for the average user [2]. * Firefox on android is the only mobile browser that allows you to install add-ons. I'm not talking special mobile-made add-ons. Any add-on that you can install on desktop, you can install on the mobile version. Although usability will definitely vary. uBlock Origin, Privay Badger, Decentraleyes, Cookie AutoDelete - all available on Firefox mobile for android I'm not going to go as far as saying Firefox deserves your 100% trust. They have definitely made some missteps along the way. However, as far as meaningful distinction, yes I think that is well earned. [1] https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/tracking-protection https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/tracking-protection [2] https://www.privacytools.io/#about_config https://www.privacytools.io/#about_config

earenndil 8y ago

Ublock0, umatrix, privacy badger, noscript (take your pick -- you can use any one of those, up to all 4). Decentraleyes. Self-destructing cookies.