BetterFox
about:config tweaks to enhance Mozilla Firefox. Files are updated as needed for your user.js.
Simple goals:
- Minimalism: get what isn't needed out of the way
- Efficiency: unleash Firefox's ability to be fast and performant
- Security: sensible privacy and security without causing site breakage
Simple configs:
| List | Description |
|---|---|
| Fastfox | Immensely increase Firefox's browsing speed. Give Chrome a run for its money! |
| SecureFox | Remove Telemetry, Mozilla experiments, Google Safe Browsing, and search engine suggestions in URL bar. Auto-upgrade mixed content to HTTPS. Various privacy enhancements. |
| PeskyFox | Unclutter the new tab page. Remove Pocket and form autofill. Prevent Firefox from serving annoying webpage notifications. |
| SmoothFox | Get Microsoft Edge-like smooth scrolling on your favorite browser. |
| user.js | All the essentails. None of the breakage. Users may download this list as their own user.js. |
Who is this setup for?
If you want a secure, blazing fast browsing experience, and don't want to deal with breakage, this setup is for you. My objective is to make the defaults sufficient enough for the average privacy-minded user, but remain trouble-free enough that my grandmother could use it. (That puts a whole new twist on being a foxy grandma!) Edit: Sorry for the dad joke
about:Privacy
My guiding principle was: "If it breaks it, it doesn't make it!" So things like WebGL and DRM are still enabled, and you won't find a setting like privacy.resistFingerprinting mentioned here. BetterFox is designed to set-and-forget, not to troubleshoot and tinker. You can compare different user.js files here.
BetterFox was created with a less is more mentality (i.e., keeping in mind the law of diminishing returns). Most repos I've encountered have niche privacy and security concerns with little regard for speed, annoyances, or mainstream use. The average user doesn't need all user_prefs altered to get the results they want.
Assumptions
That being said, BetterFox does make some assumptions:
- Google Safe Browsing is removed. If you don't have other means of protection, you should remove the preferences listed for this section to leave it enabled.
- The native password manager is also disabled. BetterFox assumes you use a different password manager. If you don't have something like LastPass or Bitwarden, then remove the prefs that disable this functionality.
- You should have Ghostery or uBlock Origin for content blocking. Using DNS-level protection like NextDNS is highly recommended.
- If your threat level calls for anonymity and not just reasonable privacy, please use the TOR browser.
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Wiki
Check out our wiki!
Credit
Where there is similiarity to other authors, credit goes to them.