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How can I get tracking protection without losing browser history?

  • 2 replies
  • 6 have this problem
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  • Last reply by andycivil

andycivil
andycivil
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I am concerned about /external/ security (tracking protection) but not /internal/ security (what's stored on my computer). How can I turn ON 'tracking protection' by itself? It seems to be part of "private browsing", but if I use that, I lose my browser history, which sucks because it's useful. Even the "tracking protection" option actually says "In private windows" but I want it in NON private windows. Or, equivalently, I want private windows to save my url, form, search, download history.

These two kinds of security concern seem very different, so it seems strange that the way it's set up, you can't have the one I want, without also turning on the one I don't want!

I am concerned about /external/ security (tracking protection) but not /internal/ security (what's stored on my computer). How can I turn ON 'tracking protection' by itself? It seems to be part of "private browsing", but if I use that, I lose my browser history, which sucks because it's useful. Even the "tracking protection" option actually says "In private windows" but I want it in NON private windows. Or, equivalently, I want private windows to save my url, form, search, download history. These two kinds of security concern seem very different, so it seems strange that the way it's set up, you can't have the one I want, without also turning on the one I don't want!

Chosen solution

hi andycivil, you can enable tracking protection outside of private browsing mode like this: enter about:config into the firefox address bar (confirm the info message in case it shows up) & search for the preference named privacy.trackingprotection.enabled. double-click it and change its value to true.

if you care about security, you should also urgently update your firefox version - apparently you're still using firefox 43 which is exploitable by remote and will put your system and all your data at risk!

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All Replies (2)

philipp
philipp
  • Moderator
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Chosen Solution

hi andycivil, you can enable tracking protection outside of private browsing mode like this: enter about:config into the firefox address bar (confirm the info message in case it shows up) & search for the preference named privacy.trackingprotection.enabled. double-click it and change its value to true.

if you care about security, you should also urgently update your firefox version - apparently you're still using firefox 43 which is exploitable by remote and will put your system and all your data at risk!

andycivil
andycivil Question owner
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Perversely, while I was in about:config, I noticed that if you turn privacy.trackingprotection.ui.enabled on, then a more useful set of options appears in the regular security tab! (I have to wonder why that wasn't the default.) Thank you. (And yes, I updated earlier.)