If you value privacy, ditch Chrome and switch to Firefox now

Technology@lemmy.world – 3177 points – 12 months ago

With the number of people concerned about privacy, it is a wonder why chrome is even popular.

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There's also Librewolf, based on Firefox. Comes with many (but could be better) privacy related settings available in firefox.

From the website:

This project is a custom and independent version of Firefox, with the primary goals of privacy, security and user freedom.

LibreWolf is designed to increase protection against tracking and fingerprinting techniques, while also including a few security improvements. This is achieved through our privacy and security oriented settings and patches. LibreWolf also aims to remove all the telemetry, data collection and annoyances, as well as disabling anti-freedom features like DRM.

Available for Linux, macOs, and Windows.

https://librewolf.net

The default settings of librewolf would drive the average user crazy. I'm not a fan of Firefox and use Librewolf myself but Firefox has sensible defaults for an average user that would be a net positive coming from Chrome. Just an FYI thinking of making the switch.

For additional context of those curious, Librewolf is very hardened by default. When you close your browser all site data is wiped (this can be turned off). Most people don't mess with their browser settings though... there's also a lot of little things that are disabled by default that will make people think the browser is broken e.g. canvas requests are silently denied by default, it's just not realistic for most people to use librewolf.

The average user is the greatest weak point in their security. Don't be the average user.

You are not wrong. This is a suggestion for slightly more advanced users that are into privacy. I do think it could be hardened more. I wonder why all permissions are not blocked by default.

At least I didn't suggest Lynx.

Oh yeah, not meaning to hate on your suggestion, just giving a fair warning to those who are looking to take the plunge. I consider myself advanced and librewolf drove me crazy for a few days but stuck with it and found a balance of settings that I like.

I appologize if I came across negative in any way and, I am certain, I did not feel any negativity from you. Your warnings are absolutely valid and needed to be brought up. I think, in the back of my head I thought that most users on lemmy are slightly more tech savvy than the average user.

Glad you stuck with it! I love it.

No apologies needed! Cheers!

I've just heard about librewolf in this developing thread, but I've no idea what sets it apart from Firefox. What does it do that Firefox doesn't?

Edit: your link says it focuses on the same thing Firefox does, to my knowledge, so I'm wondering if there's something Firefox neglects? Or is it just to keep the field diverse? Which is also good.

Hello!

It is based on Firefox, which means it is Firefox with some customizations. There are certain settings in Firefox that some would consider intrusive to privacy. For example, Firefox by default runs studies and collects anonymous data. While it is anonymous, some people just don't like that. I don't really know what they collect so I want to opt out. In Librewolf, this setting is turned off by default. The pocket is disabled in Librewolf. I know Firefox is free and I am glad that it exists, but I feel like it's becoming a bloated Android version for Samsung phones with apps that you cannot remove and that just take up space for no reason.

Does this make sense? Am I somewhat explaining?

Yes, that helps quite a bit! Thank you!

I don't really like the Pocket feature, either. It's nice to know there's a version without that.

I've been using it as my full-time browser for a year. I can't think of any time I've needed to use a different browser, but I don't ask a lot of my browser and I don't consume hostile commercial media.

Years ago I was forced to use Internet Explorer to access employee services. I had a mental stroke every time I had to use it. Not anymore. Librewolf just works, but I also don't visit all the crazy pants wackadoo websites.