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submitted 2 weeks ago by ProtozoanDusk@lemm.ee to c/privacy@lemmy.ml

So, I have always just used one browser, Firefox, with javascript and cookies turned off and whitelisted sites that I needed to use that required javascript or cookies or both to actually work.

My threat model isn't the tightest and could best be described as "I don't see why they should have my data if I am blocking the ads they use it to try to deliver to me". This browser setup coupled with tracking blocking at the DNS level has made me feel comfortable that while some of my data is being collected I am stopping most of the collection.

With the advance of fingerprinting and the recent change of a certain browser's terms of use it is probably time to review this setup.

I believe that it is usually advisable to use two different browsers. One where you are identifying yourself by logging in and one where you are just browsing. As logging into sites usually involves javascript and cookies I was going to use Librewolf with javascript and cookies turned off for general browsing and Mullvad browser as it comes for sites that require javascript and cookies.

I feel as though I have read a thousand discussions on this subject over the years so I apologise. Does anyone have any suggestions for a more private setup browser-wise? Tracking blocking at DNS level will continue and I'm on debian-based linux.

Thanks for any help in advance.

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[-] JubilantJaguar@lemmy.world 13 points 2 weeks ago

with javascript and cookies turned off

My threat model isn’t the tightest

If that's not tight, I hardly know what is. The modern web is all but unusable without JS.

[-] ProtozoanDusk@lemm.ee 4 points 2 weeks ago

What I meant by my threat model not being the tightest was that if I want to read something on a site that requires javascript and cookies then I will just turn them back on temporarily rather than not read what I want just because of possible tracking.

I agree with your point about the web being almost unusable in parts without JavaScript. However, I find that a lot of sites have a lot of javascript-heavy pages at the front but simpler pages behind where you get to things you actually want to look at. Usually a site's RSS feeds let you get directly to the simpler pages without using JavaScript.

[-] Flagstaff@programming.dev 1 points 2 weeks ago

He may as well go without images, too, and use Lynx Browser, haha. I can't even figure out how to install that one!

[-] clmbmb@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 2 weeks ago
# Debian
sudo apt install lynx
# Fedora
sudo dnf install lynx
# arch, BTW
sudo pacman -Sy lynx
[-] Flagstaff@programming.dev 1 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

I am, unfortunately, on Windows, mostly because of my inability to find adequate Linux replacements for key features in AutoHotkey and IrfanView. Believe me, I've been looking and trying to learn...

[-] LunarLoony@lemmy.sdf.org 3 points 2 weeks ago

I've found XnView to be a good IrfanView replacement. (Granted it's not QUITE as good; same as how there isn't anything quite as good as Notepad++)

As for Lynx on Windows, looks like it's available through Scoop! https://bjansen.github.io/scoop-apps/main/lynx/

[-] Flagstaff@programming.dev 1 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

Out of curiosity, what can N++ do that VSCodium can't? That's what I've been using and it's been mostly fantastic.

Wow, thanks for sharing Scoop; I had no idea of this software, and dang, that is one huge games bucket... I'm gonna have to crawl through this sometime. I'll check out XnView as well! I think I knew of that one earlier, but never actually looked into it and then forgot...

Update: Unfortunately, XnView can't do anything like the interior cropping that I'm hoping to do. There is a "Suggestions" subforum in their forum, but I can't even register; despite disabling uBlock Origin, I get met with the nonsensical error The solution you provided was incorrect as I see no CAPTCHA test, so I'm unable to pitch this as a suggestion. Alas...

Haha, thanks to you, I discovered that graphical ADOM is free (I thought it was paid). And MegaGlest is an unexpectedly awesome RTS!

[-] Libb@jlai.lu 11 points 2 weeks ago

Does anyone have any suggestions for a more private setup browser-wise? Tracking blocking at DNS level will continue and I’m on debian-based linux.

My worries sound similar to yours but my approach is a bit different.

  • I switched from Mac to Linux (Arch, then Debian and for the last 4 years, Mint).
  • I use EU services as much as I can instead of the US ones.
  • I do block as much tracking and ad crap as I can. Still use javascript on a few sites.
  • I use different browsers for different activities.

But I also consider this a lost cause. Sadly.

  • I consider anything I do online (read, write, watch, listen to,...) is at risk of being tracked, and exploited, mined or whatever and somehow linked to the real me (not to one of my pseudonyms).
  • With an increasing speed and willingness to destroy any remaining rights to privacy we may still have, I'm also expecting my country (France) to sooner than later make it illegal to use real encryption, to use a VPN, or even to use a pseudonym instead of my real name—all of that for my own good and for the protection of little kids which is obviously something that I as a law abiding citizen would not ever dare question.

So, instead, I do as much things as I can offline. Reading, writing, watching stuff, listening to stuff, communicating with people.

[-] Neptr@lemmy.blahaj.zone 5 points 2 weeks ago

It seems like an interesting setup. I don't really have too much to say other than nitpicks.

Why not use Mullvad browser for both scenarios. Mullvad with security level safest should block all JS. You could create a 2nd profile for safest only mode.

Using Linux .desktop launcher scripts, you could:

  • Create a .desktop launcher (in ~/.local/share/applications/) for each profile
  • Edit default desktop launcher to always prompt to choice profile on start (using the launch option -P)
  • Edit the default launcher to offer a menu option for each profile.

Related to your choice of host OS, I personally avoid Debian for desktop because it is slow to adapt (cus its Debian). I know it isnt directly applicable to situation since your main concern seems to be anti-fingerprinting, but a secure base is important. I'd like to know your reason for picking it. I don't dislike Debian and I still use it for different things (mostly VMs and some dev work).

[-] timmytbt@sh.itjust.works 2 points 2 weeks ago
[-] Neptr@lemmy.blahaj.zone 3 points 2 weeks ago

I recommend Fedora or openSUSE Tumbleweed.

[-] merde@sh.itjust.works 5 points 2 weeks ago

your setup looks good to me

[-] azalty@jlai.lu 1 points 2 weeks ago

Have you tried LibreWolf ?

this post was submitted on 28 Feb 2025
28 points (93.8% liked)

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