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Configure Firefox

Apply Now
Works with any Linux distroWorks with any Linux distribution that can run bash scripts.
  • Linux onlyThis script improves your privacy on Linux
  • Multiple actionsThis page belongs to a category, containing some changes with similar goal.
  • Impact: Minimum

    System Functionality / Data Loss Risk: Low

    This action improves privacy with minimal impact when you run the recommended script.

  • Bash (Shell script)These changes use Linux system commands to update your settings.
  • 25 scripts
  • 7 categories
  • Sudo/root requiredThis script requires privilege access to do the system changes
  • Fully reversible

    You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using this website.

    The restore/revert methods provided here can help you fix issues.

Overview​

Mozilla Firefox, colloquially known as Firefox, is a free and open-source web browser created by the Mozilla Foundation and its subsidiary, the Mozilla Corporation 1.

By default, Firefox collects telemetry data and has other features that gather information about your downloaded files and browsed webpages 23.

The scripts provided here adjust your Firefox installation to prevent its data collection.

Safe for General Use
This script has Normal protection level option. This is recommended for all users to improve without any noticeable impact on the system functionality.
Sources
PrivacyLearn.com maintains strict sourcing standards for accuracy, integrity and up-to-date content. Our content relies on authoritative sources including vendor documentation, industry standards, and verified research. Learn more about our verification process and quality standards in our editorial standards page.

Apply Now​

Choose one of two ways to apply:

Download script​

Download and run the script directly
  • No app needed
  • Offline usage
  • Free
  • Open-source

Normal — Everyday Privacy (Enterprise-Grade)​

  • Recommended for all
  • Safe for daily use
  • No impact on system stability

Read more about Normal and other protection levels

Help

How to apply or restore "Configure Firefox" using script​

  • ≈ 3 min to complete
  • Tools: Web Browser
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • ≈ 6 instructions
  1. 1

    Choose protection

    Choose one of the options with different impact levels:

    • Normal

      Some safe changes minimal system impact.

    • High

      Some potentially impactful changes with moderate system impact.

    • Maximum

      Some impactful changes with high system impact.
  2. 2

    Download

    Download the script file by clicking on the   Apply protection  button above.
    Use   Undo protection button above to restore changes.
  3. 3

    Keep the file

    If warned by your browser, keep the file.
  4. 4

    Open

    Open the downloaded file.
  5. 5

    Exit

    Once it's done, press any key to exit the window.
  6. 6

    Restart

    Restart your computer for all changes to take effect.

Apply with privacy.sexy​

Guided, automated application with safety checks
  • Recommended for most users
  • Includes safety checks
  • Shows the code
  • Free
  • Open-source
  • Popular
  • Offline/Online usage
Open privacy.sexy
Help

How to apply or restore "Configure Firefox" using privacy.sexy​

  • ≈ 3 min to complete
  • Tools: privacy.sexy
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 4 instructions
privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily with more advanced options.
  1. 1

    Open or download

    Open or download the desktop application
  2. 2

    Choose script

    1. Search for the category name: Configure Firefox
    2. Check the category by clicking on the checkbox of the category.

    Applying Normal to limit the impact.

  3. 3

    Run

    Click on ▶️ Run button at the bottom of the page.

    This button only appears on desktop version (recommended). On browser, use 💾 Save button.

Explore This Guide​

  • 25 Privacy settings
  • 4 Main categories
    • These settings are organized into 4 main categories for easy navigation.
    • Each main category contains subcategories, helping you find specific settings you might want to adjust.
  • 7 Total categories

Choose what to protect based on your needs:

Click any option to learn more about what it does.

Each change can be applied and reversed individually.

  • Some settings and commands may require technical knowledge to apply correctly.
  • Most users find the Normal protection above sufficient.

Harden Firefox privacy

The following are privacy-focused tweaks to prevent browser fingerprinting and tracking. See also: (Reference: What is browser fingerprinting? | AmIUnique.org)

Disable Firefox telemetry

By default, Firefox collects telemetry data. This data comprises two main categories: interaction data and technical data. Interaction data includes metrics such as the number of open tabs and windows, the number of webpages visited, the number and type of installed Firefox Add-ons, session length, and interactions with features offered by Mozilla or third parties. These features may include Firefox search features and search partner referrals. Technical data provides information...

Disable Firefox Pioneer program

Firefox Pioneer is a system in Firefox to test new features and changes on a subset of Firefox users. Pioneer program sends private/sensitive data to Mozilla.

Disable Firefox Phishing Protection (Safe Browsing) (decreases security)

Firefox's Safe Browsing feature, now referred to as Phishing Protection, is still internally recognized as "Safe Browsing". To provide protection against phishing and malware, Firefox transmits the following data: 1. Partial address information for visited webpages. 2. Details such as name, origin, size, and hash of contents for downloaded files. This data is sent to Google Safe Browsing to aid in issuing warnings for downloaded files and visited sites. While Phishing Protection bolsters your se...

Disable connection tests (breaks automatic Wi-Fi login)

This script turns off the Firefox Captive Portal detection feature. Firefox uses this feature to determine if a network connection requires a login, such as a public Wi-Fi hotspot. The test involves initiating an outgoing connection to Mozilla servers. By default, these connection attempts occur at regular intervals. This functionality could potentially expose your usage habits. For instance, a public venue like a hotel or restaurant might require you to input a password for internet access. If ...

Similar Guides​

Wider Goal​

The guide below includes this guide to achieve a wider goal.

See other more general settings that includes this one as one of its actions.

These plans combine multiple privacy settings, including this one, for stronger protection.

These scripts configure third-party applications installed on Linux distributions to harden their security and privacy to protect your data. They scripts differ fr...

— Configure programs

Same Goal​

Other guides in Configure programs 

See settings that are in the same category as this guide.

Using other actions in the same category may help you achieve your goal better.

Disable Visual Studio Code data collection
Disable Python history for future interactive commands
Disable .NET telemetry
Disable PowerShell Core telemetry

About the Creators​

These people have authored this documentation and written its scripts:

  • Avatar of undergroundwires. The creator of PrivacyLearn and privacy.sexy. Black and white portrait showing a person wearing a polka dot tie and suit jacket, reflecting the professional expertise behind the privacy protection tools.
    • Certified security professional
    • 7+ years experience securing banks
    • Open-source developer since 2005
    • EU advisor, Public Speaker, Moderator
    • Hundreds across the globe
    • Testers, reviewers, developers
    • Companies, military agencies
    • Community since 2017
About Us

Reviewed By​

This guide has undergone comprehensive auditing and peer review:

  • Expert review by undergroundwires​

    • Verified technical accuracy and editorial standards
    • Assessed system impact and user privacy risks

  • Public review by large community​

    • Privacy enthusiasts and professionals peer-reviewed
    • Millions of end-users tested across different environments

History​

We continually monitor our guides, their impact and all other privacy options. We update our guides when new information becomes available. On every update, we publicly store who made the change, what has been changed, why the change was made and when the change was made.

Review Change History Our Change Process