Firefox Privacy Settings Guide 2025: Complete Configuration

Step-by-step guide to configure Firefox for maximum privacy. Learn how to block trackers, disable telemetry, and secure your browsing experience with Firefox's privacy features.

40 min read
browser security
Firefox Privacy Settings Guide 2025: Complete Configuration

Firefox Privacy Settings Guide 2025: Complete Configuration

Firefox provides extensive privacy features that you can configure for maximum protection. This guide walks you through every privacy setting to secure your browsing experience and block tracking attempts.

Firefox Privacy Overview

Firefox includes built-in privacy protections that block trackers, fingerprinting attempts, and cryptomining scripts. The browser offers three protection levels: Standard, Strict, and Custom. You can configure each setting individually for optimal privacy.

Firefox’s Enhanced Tracking Protection blocks social media trackers, cross-site tracking cookies, and fingerprinting attempts. The browser also includes DNS-over-HTTPS and built-in password manager.

Step 1: Enable Enhanced Tracking Protection

  1. Open Firefox and click the menu button (three horizontal lines)
  2. Select “Settings” or “Preferences”
  3. Click “Privacy & Security” in the left sidebar
  4. Under “Enhanced Tracking Protection”, select “Strict”
  5. Check “Always” for “Send websites a ‘Do Not Track’ signal”

Enhanced Tracking Protection blocks:

  • Social media trackers
  • Cross-site tracking cookies
  • Fingerprinting attempts
  • Cryptomining scripts
  • Social media trackers
  1. In Privacy & Security settings, scroll to “Cookies and Site Data”
  2. Select “Delete cookies and site data when Firefox is closed”
  3. Click “Manage Data” to view stored cookies
  4. Remove unwanted cookies manually
  5. Check “Block cookies and site data” for additional protection

Firefox cookie options:

  • Accept all cookies: Least private option
  • Accept cookies from sites: Blocks third-party cookies
  • Block all cookies: Most private but may break some sites
  • Block third-party cookies: Recommended balance

Step 3: Disable Telemetry and Data Collection

  1. In Privacy & Security settings, scroll to “Firefox Data Collection and Use”

  2. Uncheck all data collection options:

    • “Allow Firefox to send technical and interaction data to Mozilla”
    • “Allow Firefox to send crash reports to Mozilla”
    • “Allow Firefox to install and run studies”
    • “Allow Firefox to send data about performance, hardware, and customizations”

  3. Click “Data Collection and Use” to access additional settings

  4. Disable “Firefox Health Report” and “Telemetry”

Step 4: Configure DNS Settings

  1. In Privacy & Security settings, scroll to “Network Settings”
  2. Click “Settings” next to “DNS over HTTPS”
  3. Select “Enable DNS over HTTPS”
  4. Choose “Cloudflare” or “NextDNS” as provider
  5. Click “OK” to save settings

DNS-over-HTTPS encrypts your DNS queries and prevents ISP tracking. This setting improves privacy by hiding which websites you visit from your internet provider.

Step 5: Disable WebRTC

  1. Type “about:config” in the address bar
  2. Search for “media.peerconnection.enabled”
  3. Double-click to set the value to “false”
  4. Search for “media.peerconnection.ice.default_address_only”
  5. Set this value to “true”

WebRTC can leak your real IP address even when using a VPN. Disabling WebRTC prevents this privacy vulnerability.

Step 6: Configure about:config Settings

  1. Type “about:config” in the address bar
  2. Accept the warning message
  3. Search and modify these settings:

Privacy Settings:

  • privacy.resistFingerprinting: Set to “true”
  • privacy.trackingprotection.enabled: Set to “true”
  • network.http.referer.spoofSource: Set to “true”
  • network.http.sendRefererHeader: Set to “0”

Security Settings:

  • security.ssl.enable_ocsp_stapling: Set to “true”
  • security.tls.insecure_fallback_hosts: Leave empty
  • security.mixed_content.block_display_content: Set to “true”

Step 7: Install Privacy Extensions

Install these privacy-focused extensions:

uBlock Origin

  1. Go to Firefox Add-ons
  2. Search for “uBlock Origin”
  3. Click “Add to Firefox”
  4. Configure filter lists for maximum protection

Privacy Badger

  1. Search for “Privacy Badger”
  2. Install the extension
  3. Let it learn and block trackers automatically

HTTPS Everywhere

  1. Search for “HTTPS Everywhere”
  2. Install the extension
  3. Enable “Encrypt All Sites Eligible”

Step 8: Configure Search Engine Privacy

  1. In Firefox settings, click “Search” in the left sidebar
  2. Select “DuckDuckGo” as default search engine
  3. Uncheck “Show search suggestions”
  4. Uncheck “Show search suggestions in address bar results”

DuckDuckGo doesn’t track your searches or store personal information. This provides better privacy than Google or Bing.

Step 9: Secure Password Management

  1. In Privacy & Security settings, scroll to “Logins and Passwords”
  2. Check “Ask to save logins and passwords for websites”
  3. Check “Use a master password”
  4. Set a strong master password
  5. Click “Saved Logins” to review stored passwords

Firefox’s built-in password manager provides basic protection. Consider using a dedicated password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password for better security.

Step 10: Configure Network Settings

  1. In Privacy & Security settings, scroll to “Network Settings”
  2. Click “Settings” next to “Connection”
  3. Configure proxy settings if using VPN
  4. Set “Use system proxy settings” if needed

Advanced Privacy Settings

Disable JavaScript (Optional)

  1. Type “about:config” in address bar
  2. Search for “javascript.enabled”
  3. Set to “false” to disable JavaScript
  4. Note: This will break many websites

Disable WebGL

  1. In about:config, search for “webgl.disabled”
  2. Set to “true” to prevent fingerprinting
  3. Search for “webgl.renderer-info”
  4. Set to “false” to hide graphics card info

Disable Canvas Fingerprinting

  1. Search for “canvas.capturestream.enabled”
  2. Set to “false”
  3. Search for “canvas.poisondata”
  4. Set to “true”

Firefox Privacy Checklist

Basic Settings:

  • Enhanced Tracking Protection enabled
  • Cookies configured for privacy
  • Telemetry disabled
  • DNS-over-HTTPS enabled
  • WebRTC disabled

Advanced Settings:

  • Fingerprinting resistance enabled
  • Referrer spoofing enabled
  • Mixed content blocking enabled
  • Privacy extensions installed
  • Search engine changed to DuckDuckGo

Regular Maintenance:

  • Clear browsing data regularly
  • Update Firefox to latest version
  • Review installed extensions
  • Check for privacy leaks

Testing Your Privacy Configuration

DNS Leak Test:

  1. Visit dnsleaktest.com
  2. Run extended test
  3. Verify no DNS leaks

Fingerprinting Test:

  1. Visit browserleaks.com
  2. Check for unique fingerprinting
  3. Verify resistance settings work

Tracking Test:

  1. Visit panopticlick.eff.org
  2. Test tracking protection
  3. Verify minimal tracking

Firefox Privacy Tips

Regular Maintenance:

  • Clear browsing data weekly
  • Update Firefox monthly
  • Review extension permissions
  • Check for new privacy features

Additional Security:

  • Use a VPN with Firefox
  • Enable two-factor authentication
  • Use strong, unique passwords
  • Consider using Firefox Focus for mobile

Browser Hardening:

  • Disable unnecessary features
  • Use privacy-focused search engines
  • Block third-party scripts
  • Monitor network activity

Firefox provides excellent privacy protection when properly configured. These settings create a strong foundation for private browsing while maintaining website functionality. Regular updates and maintenance ensure ongoing privacy protection.