How to Enable Tracking Protection on Brave Browser
In an age where online privacy is increasingly under threat, Brave Browser offers a compelling solution to safeguard your personal information. This web browser comes equipped with several privacy features that enhance your digital safety, including tracking protection. But how do you enable this crucial functionality? In this article, we break down all you need to know about how to enable tracking protection on Brave Browser.
Understanding Tracking Protection
What is Tracking Protection?
Tracking protection is a technology that blocks various types of online tracking, such as cookies, scripts, and website fingerprinting. It prevents websites from collecting your data and sharing them with advertisers or other third parties.
One of the most common types of tracking is cookie-based tracking. Cookies are small files that websites store on your device to remember your preferences and track your activities. While some cookies are harmless, others can be used to track your online behavior and collect sensitive information about you.
Another type of tracking that tracking protection can block is script-based tracking. Scripts are small pieces of code that websites use to enhance their functionality, but they can also be used to track your activities and collect your data.
Website fingerprinting is yet another type of tracking that tracking protection can block. This technique involves collecting information about your device, such as its browser type and version, screen resolution, and operating system, to create a unique fingerprint that can be used to track your online activities.
Why is Tracking Protection Important?
Tracking protection is essential because it protects your privacy and prevents online entities from profiling you. When you browse the web without tracking protection, websites can collect your data and share it with advertisers and other third parties, who can then use it to target you with personalized ads or even sell it to other companies.
Tracking protection also enhances your browsing experience by reducing the load on your device's resources and improving page load times. When websites are not able to collect your data, they cannot use it to personalize their content, which can result in faster page load times and a smoother browsing experience.
Furthermore, tracking protection can also protect you from malicious websites that use tracking to deliver malware or steal your personal information. By blocking tracking, you can reduce your risk of falling victim to these types of attacks.
In conclusion, tracking protection is an important technology that can help protect your privacy, enhance your browsing experience, and keep you safe online. By using tracking protection, you can take control of your online privacy and enjoy a safer, more secure browsing experience.
Getting Started with Brave Browser
Downloading and Installing Brave Browser
Before you can use Brave Browser, you need to download and install it on your device. To do so, navigate to the official Brave Browser website and download the latest version, depending on your device. Once you have downloaded the installation file, double-click it and follow the prompts to install Brave Browser on your device.
Navigating the Brave Browser Interface
Once you have installed Brave Browser, familiarize yourself with its interface. The browser's interface is similar to other web browsers, with tabs, bookmarks, and an omnibox. Use the tabs to navigate to different websites, save frequently visited sites as bookmarks, and type URLs or search queries into the omnibox.
Enabling Tracking Protection in Brave Browser
Accessing Brave Browser Settings
To access the settings menu on Brave Browser, click on the three vertical lines on the browser's upper-right corner and select 'Settings' from the drop-down menu.
Adjusting Tracking Protection Settings
Once you are in the settings menu, select the 'Shields' tab, which you can find on the left-hand side of the page. Here, you'll see several options for controlling the level of tracking protection. By default, 'Cross-site tracking protection' is set to 'Standard,' but you can also choose 'Aggressive' or 'Strict'. Select the level that suits your privacy needs.
Understanding the Different Levels of Protection
Each level of tracking protection has unique features and blocking capabilities. 'Standard' blocks third-party cookies and fingerprinting, 'Aggressive' blocks known trackers, and 'Strict' blocks all third-party content, including scripts and ads. You can gradually increase your protection levels to meet your privacy needs without access issues to frequently visited websites.
Additional Privacy Features in Brave Browser
Using Private Browsing Mode
Brave Browser's private browsing mode, or 'incognito mode,' allows you to browse the internet without leaving a trace of your online activity, such as browsing history and stored cookies. To activate incognito mode, click on the three vertical lines and select 'New Private Window' or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+N.
Blocking Third-Party Cookies
You can also block third-party cookies on Brave Browser. Third-party cookies are created by websites other than the one you're visiting and are used to track your online activity across multiple sites. To block third-party cookies, go to the Shields menu in the settings and turn on the 'Block cross-site trackers' option.
Enabling Fingerprinting Protection
Brave Browser protects you against browser fingerprinting, a technique that tracks your online activities based on your device and browser's unique configurations. To enable fingerprinting protection, go to the Shields menu and turn on 'Fingerprinting protection.'
Monitoring Your Tracking Protection
Viewing Blocked Trackers and Ads
Brave Browser allows you to view the number of trackers and ads blocked on each site you visit. To see this data, click on the lion icon in the top right corner of the browser and select 'Brave Shields Stats.' This feature shows you how Brave Browser shields your online activities, highlighting what your standard browser would have allowed to show.
Analyzing Privacy Statistics
You can also view privacy statistics in the 'Security' tab of the settings menu. In this tab, you'll see an overview of the number of ads and trackers blocked, how much time Brave Browser has saved you by blocking ads, and how many HTTPS upgrades the browser has enforced.
Final Thoughts
Enabling tracking protection on Brave Browser is a simple but crucial step toward enhancing your online privacy. With its combination of features like fingerprinting protection and blocking third-party cookies, you can be sure that no one is tracking your online activity. Follow the steps highlighted in this article, and enjoy a more private, secure, and manageable browsing experience.