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purging search history/cookies, resetting identifiable information while keeping config & extensions on every start-up.

Firefox Privacy and security
jbr replied
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How would one purge their cookies, search history, tab data while resetting/randomising identifiable information (for example if Firefox were to give each user a serial number or unique tag which it hands to webpages), all without resetting a users a user's browser settings, about:config & browser extensions downloaded (and extension settings). I am using Debian GNU/Linux, so bear in mind that I will be using the most stable version of Firefox on the Debian repos, not the newest version. I do not have a command line phobia, I am willing to do a lot of initial setup & run a specific command every time I launch the browser, even if said command is long. My current system involves rm -rfing the profile on a browser, but this is not optimal because it removes settings & extensions.

Thank you verry much for your assistance, I know this is a large undertaking and it a little overboard on the privacy and security front.

How would one purge their cookies, search history, tab data while resetting/randomising identifiable information (for example if Firefox were to give each user a serial number or unique tag which it hands to webpages), all without resetting a users a user's browser settings, about:config & browser extensions downloaded (and extension settings). I am using Debian GNU/Linux, so bear in mind that I will be using the most stable version of Firefox on the Debian repos, not the newest version. I do not have a command line phobia, I am willing to do a lot of initial setup & run a specific command every time I launch the browser, even if said command is long. My current system involves ''rm -rf''ing the profile on a browser, but this is not optimal because it removes settings & extensions. Thank you verry much for your assistance, I know this is a large undertaking and it a little overboard on the privacy and security front.

All Replies (3)

jbr
jbr
  • Top 10 Contributor

Chosen Solution

Oh this is totally built in: Delete browsing, search and download history on Firefox — check the two cases mentioned there:

  1. Run in "always private" mode
  2. Clear data on exit
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jbr said
Oh this is totally built in: Delete browsing, search and download history on Firefox — check the two cases mentioned there:
  1. Run in "always private" mode
  2. Clear data on exit

thank you, does this also remove or replace unique identifying/fingerprinting behaviour (so long as browser settings are configured not to allow fingerprinting)

jbr
jbr
  • Top 10 Contributor

As "long as browser settings are configured not to allow fingerprinting" you have nothing to "remove" or scramble. The idea is everyone appears the same. Not that you look unique for a day, and then "another unique" the next day. The built in fingerprinting protections work in a way you're indistinguishable from thousands similar profiles, so the more common your setup, usually the better for you.

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