Updated 12:45 IST, September 4th 2019
Firefox privacy feature blocks third-party tracking cookies by default
Firefox now blocks third-party tracking cookies and cryptomining for all users by default. Here's how to see if Firefox is blocking trackers from tracking you
Firefox now blocks third-party tracking cookies and cryptomining for all users by default. Mozilla announced in its official blog post that Firefox users on desktop and Android app will be protected against third-party trackers by default - irrespective of the fact that whether you want to turn it on or off. Thanks to Mozilla's announcement, it's pretty clear that the company is looking to uphold the user safety and privacy online. Firefox users could protect themselves with enhanced tracking protection to block third-party cookies ever since Mozilla released Firefox in October last year. In June, Mozilla announced its plans to block trackers by default.
Why is it important?
In a nutshell, blocking third-party trackers means theoretically, websites cannot keep a tab on your online activity, serve you ads based on your usage history, or sell your browsing activity to others. As Mozilla explains, Firefox's 'Enhanced Tracking Protection' will automatically be enabled by default for all users. While Mozilla first announced the step and started implementing it for new users in June 2019, users could opt-in for the feature since October. However, Mozilla says more than 20 per cent users opted-in to block trackers. Now, Firefox hopes to reach 100 per cent with all users having 'Enhanced Tracking Protection' enabled by default.
"Firefox on desktop and Android will — by default — empower and protect all our users by blocking third-party tracking cookies and cryptominers. This milestone marks a major step in our multi-year effort to bring stronger, usable privacy protections to everyone using Firefox," said Marissa Wood, vice president of product at Mozilla
Download the latest version of Firefox
Mozilla said that the privacy protection will be enabled by default for desktop and Android users of Firefox. But Mozilla did not mention anything about its plans to allow enhanced Tracking Protection by default for iOS users. Here's how to know when Enhanced Tracking Protection is working for you. When you visit a website, check for a shield icon in the address bar. If the shield icon is there, it means Firefox is blocking third-party miners from tracking your online activity. If you want to see what all companies are being prevented from monitoring your online activity, tap or on the shield icon in the address bar. Follow the steps: on the shield icon > Content Blocking section > Cookies > Block Tracking Cookies.
Published 12:24 IST, September 4th 2019