Browsing privacy
Trackers and third party cookies
Trackers are scripts embedded in websites that collect various types of information about users, such as browsing history, clicks, and time spent on pages. This data can be used to build detailed profiles of individuals, which can then be sold to advertisers or other third parties.
Trackers can follow you across multiple websites, gathering information such as your search history, clicked links, and time spent on pages. This data is often used for targeted advertising but can also lead to significant privacy concerns.
Third-party cookies are a common method of online tracking. These small pieces of data are stored on your device by websites you visit and by third parties involved in those websites, like advertisers. As you browse the internet, third-party cookies track your activity across different sites, aggregating data to build detailed profiles.
“Once you've lost your privacy, you realize you've lost an extremely valuable thing.”
Billy Graham
Privacy-Focused Browsers and Tools
Brave browser is designed with privacy at its core. It automatically blocks ads and trackers, which not only speeds up your browsing experience but also ensures that your data isn’t being harvested by third parties. Brave also offers a built-in Tor feature for enhanced anonymity, making it a strong contender for anyone serious about online privacy.
Firefox, another highly-regarded privacy-focused browser, offers extensive customization options through privacy-enhancing add-ons. Notable among these are uBlock Origin, Privacy Badger, and HTTPS Everywhere. uBlock Origin is an efficient ad blocker that enhances your browsing speed by preventing unwanted ads and trackers. Privacy Badger, developed by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), automatically learns to block invisible trackers, ensuring that your browsing history remains yours alone. HTTPS Everywhere, also from the EFF, encrypts your communications with major websites, adding a layer of security against surveillance and account hijacking.