Why Privacy Extensions Matter
Even with good browser settings, websites use trackers, fingerprinting, and third-party cookies to follow you across the internet. Privacy extensions add layers of protection that browsers alone cannot provide.
Installing too many extensions can actually harm your privacy by making your browser fingerprint more unique. Stick to the essentials listed here.
uBlock Origin (Essential)
uBlock Origin is the most effective content blocker available. It blocks ads, trackers, malware domains, and more while using minimal system resources.
Installation
- Firefox: Search "uBlock Origin" in Firefox Add-ons and click "Add to Firefox"
- Chrome/Brave: Search "uBlock Origin" in the Chrome Web Store
Recommended Settings
Click the uBlock Origin icon, then the gear icon to open the Dashboard:
- Under "Filter lists," enable EasyList, EasyPrivacy, and Fanboy's Annoyances
- Enable the Malware domains list under "Malware protection"
- Click "Update now" to fetch the latest filter lists
Make sure you install uBlock Origin (by Raymond Hill), not "uBlock" which is a different, less trustworthy fork.
Privacy Badger
Developed by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), Privacy Badger automatically learns to block invisible trackers based on their behavior rather than predefined lists.
- Install from your browser's extension store (search "Privacy Badger")
- It works automatically with no configuration needed
- The icon shows how many trackers were found on each page (red = blocked, yellow = partially blocked, green = allowed)
Privacy Badger complements uBlock Origin by catching trackers that filter lists may miss.
ClearURLs
Many links contain tracking parameters (like ?utm_source= or &fbclid=).
ClearURLs automatically strips these tracking elements from URLs before you visit them.
- Install from your browser's extension store
- Works silently in the background, no configuration needed
- Click the icon to see statistics on how many tracking elements were removed
LocalCDN (or Decentraleyes)
Many websites load common libraries (jQuery, Font Awesome, etc.) from centralized CDNs like Google or Cloudflare. These CDN requests can track you across sites. LocalCDN intercepts these requests and serves the libraries locally instead.
- LocalCDN is the actively maintained fork (recommended)
- Decentraleyes is the original, still functional but less frequently updated
- Install one or the other, not both
- No configuration needed after installation
Extensions to Avoid
Some popular extensions actually harm your privacy:
- Free VPN extensions: Many log and sell your browsing data
- Multiple ad blockers: Using more than one causes conflicts and slows browsing
- "Web of Trust" (WOT): Was caught selling detailed browsing histories
- Coupon/deal finders: Track every page you visit to find deals
- Extensions requesting excessive permissions: If a simple tool asks to "read and change all data on all websites," avoid it
Summary
A solid privacy extension setup includes:
- uBlock Origin - Content blocking (ads, trackers, malware)
- Privacy Badger - Behavioral tracker detection
- ClearURLs - URL tracking parameter removal
- LocalCDN - Local CDN resource delivery
These four extensions dramatically reduce tracking while keeping websites functional. If a site breaks, try disabling extensions one by one to find the cause.