When you use a browser for everything, it needs to be fast. But for the same reason, it needs to be private. A browser has access to everything you do online, so it can put you at real risk if it doesn’t have strong privacy features.

When you use a browser for everything, it needs to be fast. But for the same reason, it needs to be private. A browser has access to everything you do online, so it can put you at real risk if it doesn’t have strong privacy features.

{ -brand-name-firefox } gives you the option to encrypt your saved passwords, and you can <a { $primary }>use a primary password to access them</a>; your passwords are protected even if you have to share a computer. Brave does not password-protect your passwords.

{ -brand-name-firefox } gives you the option to encrypt your saved passwords, and you can <a { $primary }>use a primary password to access them</a>; your passwords are protected even if you have to share a computer. Brave does not password-protect your passwords.

And we make it easy for you to choose which search engine you use whenever you search. Edge makes you dig through your settings to use a search engine other than Bing.

And we make it easy for you to choose which search engine you use whenever you search. Edge makes you dig through your settings to use a search engine other than Bing.

Installing the <a href="{ $fbcontainer }">extension</a> is easy and, once activated, will open { -brand-name-facebook } in a blue tab each time you use it. Use and enjoy { -brand-name-facebook } normally. { -brand-name-facebook } will still be able to send you advertising and recommendations on their site, but it will be much harder for { -brand-name-facebook } to use your activity collected <strong>off { -brand-name-facebook }</strong> to send you ads and other targeted messages.

Installing the <a href="{ $fbcontainer }">extension</a> is easy and, once activated, will open { -brand-name-facebook } in a blue tab each time you use it. Use and enjoy { -brand-name-facebook } normally. { -brand-name-facebook } will still be able to send you advertising and recommendations on their site, but it will be much harder for { -brand-name-facebook } to use your activity collected <strong>off { -brand-name-facebook }</strong> to send you ads and other targeted messages.

Why Use an Ad Blocker?

Why Use an Ad Blocker?

If ads don’t bother you and you don’t mind being followed by trackers and third-party cookies, then the Standard setting should work for you. To get trackers off your tail in Standard mode, use a <a href="{ $url }">Private Browsing</a> window.

If ads don’t bother you and you don’t mind being followed by trackers and third-party cookies, then the Standard setting should work for you. To get trackers off your tail in Standard mode, use a <a href="{ $url }">Private Browsing</a> window.

These ads might be loud video ads, ads that follow you around the web, trackers, third-party cookies, and more. To use an ad blocker, you can search for ad blocker add-ons that are available in your browser. <a href="{ $firefox }">{ -brand-name-firefox }</a>, for example, has <a href="{ $addons }">this list of approved ad blocker add-ons</a>. Click on this list (or ad blockers that are approved for your browser) and see which fits your needs.

These ads might be loud video ads, ads that follow you around the web, trackers, third-party cookies, and more. To use an ad blocker, you can search for ad blocker add-ons that are available in your browser. <a href="{ $firefox }">{ -brand-name-firefox }</a>, for example, has <a href="{ $addons }">this list of approved ad blocker add-ons</a>. Click on this list (or ad blockers that are approved for your browser) and see which fits your needs.

When you receive content recommendations on any website or social network, it’s often because an algorithm presents information based on your profile information. Unfortunately, although algorithms are getting smarter and smarter, they don’t check content for accuracy. This is particularly problematic with social media: These networks surface countless pieces of information for their users every day and have access to almost unlimited content including user posts, news articles, ads and sponsored content. While posts and articles may accidentally spread misinformation, ads and sponsored content can be used to target you deliberately with disinformation to manipulate you, making it essential you know how to identify misinformation.

When you receive content recommendations on any website or social network, it’s often because an algorithm presents information based on your profile information. Unfortunately, although algorithms are getting smarter and smarter, they don’t check content for accuracy. This is particularly problematic with social media: These networks surface countless pieces of information for their users every day and have access to almost unlimited content including user posts, news articles, ads and sponsored content. While posts and articles may accidentally spread misinformation, ads and sponsored content can be used to target you deliberately with disinformation to manipulate you, making it essential you know how to identify misinformation.

When you open a new tab in your { -brand-name-firefox } browser, you’ll see articles <a href="{ $recommended }">recommended by { -brand-name-pocket }</a>. { -brand-name-pocket } doesn’t use any of your personal data to make recommendations. Instead, the articles are curated by real people using the app. The ability to discover new stories, angles, and opinions is one way to battle the spread of misinformation. To get even more recommendations, subscribe to the <a href="{ $pocket_hits }">{ -brand-name-pocket } newsletter</a> and download the <a href="{ $pocket }">{ -brand-name-pocket } app</a>.

When you open a new tab in your { -brand-name-firefox } browser, you’ll see articles <a href="{ $recommended }">recommended by { -brand-name-pocket }</a>. { -brand-name-pocket } doesn’t use any of your personal data to make recommendations. Instead, the articles are curated by real people using the app. The ability to discover new stories, angles, and opinions is one way to battle the spread of misinformation. To get even more recommendations, subscribe to the <a href="{ $pocket_hits }">{ -brand-name-pocket } newsletter</a> and download the <a href="{ $pocket }">{ -brand-name-pocket } app</a>.

Cookies are small files containing pieces of information that are saved to your computer or device when you visit a website. { -brand-name-mozilla } uses Cookies to help make our websites work, as well as to collect information on how you use and interact with our websites, such as the pages you visit.

Cookies are small files containing pieces of information that are saved to your computer or device when you visit a website. { -brand-name-mozilla } uses Cookies to help make our websites work, as well as to collect information on how you use and interact with our websites, such as the pages you visit.

We’re clear about what data we use and why. No surprises. The <a { $attrs }>{ -brand-name-firefox } Privacy Notice</a> details this for you.

We’re clear about what data we use and why. No surprises. The <a { $attrs }>{ -brand-name-firefox } Privacy Notice</a> details this for you.

Use and share information in a way that is transparent and benefits the user.

Use and share information in a way that is transparent and benefits the user.

A VPN is a way to hide your IP address. <a href="{ $vpn }">When you use a VPN</a>, your external IP address will be coming from the VPN server’s external IP, rather than your location’s external IP address. So if your connecting VPN server is located in California, your external IP will look like it’s connected from California, no matter where you actually are. Plus, your online activity is sent over an encrypted, secure connection to your VPN server, giving you additional security and privacy. <a href="{ $mozvpn }">{ -brand-name-mozilla-vpn }</a> is one way to hide your IP address. We don’t keep your network activity logs, and we don’t partner with third parties who build profiles of what you do online. We offer full-device protection for up to five devices with servers in { $countries }+ countries, you can connect to anywhere, from anywhere.

A VPN is a way to hide your IP address. <a href="{ $vpn }">When you use a VPN</a>, your external IP address will be coming from the VPN server’s external IP, rather than your location’s external IP address. So if your connecting VPN server is located in California, your external IP will look like it’s connected from California, no matter where you actually are. Plus, your online activity is sent over an encrypted, secure connection to your VPN server, giving you additional security and privacy. <a href="{ $mozvpn }">{ -brand-name-mozilla-vpn }</a> is one way to hide your IP address. We don’t keep your network activity logs, and we don’t partner with third parties who build profiles of what you do online. We offer full-device protection for up to five devices with servers in { $countries }+ countries, you can connect to anywhere, from anywhere.

VPNs and secure web proxies have shared goals: they secure connections. They can, and do, mask your original IP address and protect web traffic that you send between you and your VPN or secure proxy provider. But when would you want to use a VPN vs a proxy?

VPNs and secure web proxies have shared goals: they secure connections. They can, and do, mask your original IP address and protect web traffic that you send between you and your VPN or secure proxy provider. But when would you want to use a VPN vs a proxy?

A VPN provider typically offers a number of connection gateways in different global locations, which allows you to use an IP address from a locale different from your own. That way, the place you’re connecting to sees the VPN’s IP, not your actual IP address, as the source of your traffic. <a href="{ $mozvpn }">{ -brand-name-mozilla-vpn }</a> routes your traffic through a secure server and lets you choose a location from more than { $countries } countries.

A VPN provider typically offers a number of connection gateways in different global locations, which allows you to use an IP address from a locale different from your own. That way, the place you’re connecting to sees the VPN’s IP, not your actual IP address, as the source of your traffic. <a href="{ $mozvpn }">{ -brand-name-mozilla-vpn }</a> routes your traffic through a secure server and lets you choose a location from more than { $countries } countries.

Hiding your identity and cloaking your web traffic can seem like something only the super tech savvy or shady actors do. However, there are a number of legitimate reasons you may want to use a VPN, including:

Hiding your identity and cloaking your web traffic can seem like something only the super tech savvy or shady actors do. However, there are a number of legitimate reasons you may want to use a VPN, including:

Installing and using a VPN is currently legal in most countries, including the United States, the UK, Canada and New Zealand, but some countries may regulate their use. If you choose to use a VPN, it is your responsibility to check the country’s law to determine whether using it is legal or not.

Installing and using a VPN is currently legal in most countries, including the United States, the UK, Canada and New Zealand, but some countries may regulate their use. If you choose to use a VPN, it is your responsibility to check the country’s law to determine whether using it is legal or not.

When should I use a VPN?

When should I use a VPN?

When you’re at home, the risk of bad actors showing up on your home network is lower. However, your internet service provider (ISP) can track and share your online activities because all the data that you access on the web is routed through your ISP’s network, some of which may not be encrypted. A VPN can prevent ISPs from spying on you by encrypting your traffic to your VPN provider no matter where you are.

When you’re at home, the risk of bad actors showing up on your home network is lower. However, your internet service provider (ISP) can track and share your online activities because all the data that you access on the web is routed through your ISP’s network, some of which may not be encrypted. A VPN can prevent ISPs from spying on you by encrypting your traffic to your VPN provider no matter where you are.

Why would I use a VPN?

Why would I use a VPN?

5 reasons you should use a VPN

5 reasons you should use a VPN

If you are renting a temporary place for remote work or planning a future Airbnb getaway, chances are it will come with free WiFi. Even if the WiFi is protected behind a password, that doesn’t make it automatically safe and private. For starters, the host could be accessing the network to track what you do online. Also, if they haven’t changed the password between guests, any prior guest could reconnect alongside you. Plus, an earlier guest could have accessed the rental’s router and installed software that allows them to snoop on it remotely. Much to consider! Short of skipping the WiFi entirely, the best course of action is to use a trusted VPN whenever you’re connecting your computer, phone or tablet to a rental’s internet. This goes for hotels and hostels, too.

If you are renting a temporary place for remote work or planning a future Airbnb getaway, chances are it will come with free WiFi. Even if the WiFi is protected behind a password, that doesn’t make it automatically safe and private. For starters, the host could be accessing the network to track what you do online. Also, if they haven’t changed the password between guests, any prior guest could reconnect alongside you. Plus, an earlier guest could have accessed the rental’s router and installed software that allows them to snoop on it remotely. Much to consider! Short of skipping the WiFi entirely, the best course of action is to use a trusted VPN whenever you’re connecting your computer, phone or tablet to a rental’s internet. This goes for hotels and hostels, too.

<strong>Stronger privacy:</strong> Because a VPN masks your IP address, you can browse the internet more privately, knowing that your activity can’t be stitched together by data collectors using your IP as a unique identifier.

<strong>Stronger privacy:</strong> Because a VPN masks your IP address, you can browse the internet more privately, knowing that your activity can’t be stitched together by data collectors using your IP as a unique identifier.

There are several reasons why you should use a VPN to protect yourself when using your laptop or PC:

There are several reasons why you should use a VPN to protect yourself when using your laptop or PC:

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