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Content blocking is collection of Firefox privacy settings that blocks you from being tracked online. Learn how it works and how to adjust your settings.

{for fx70}{note}Content blocking was redesigned in Firefox version 70 and is now Enhanced Tracking Protection. See [[Enhanced Tracking Protection in Firefox for desktop]] for more information about how Firefox protects you against tracking.{/note}{/for} {for not fx67}{note}'''Note''': This article applies to [[Find what version of Firefox you are using|Firefox version 67]] and above.{for not fx65} See [[What happened to Tracking Protection?|this article]] for previous versions of Firefox.{/for}{/note}{/for} {for not fx69}[[T:update fx desktop]]{/for} {for fx69} Content blocking is a collection of Firefox privacy features that protect you from threats and annoyances on the web. The default includes protections against trackers that collect your browsing data across multiple websites and cryptominers. Firefox also offers protections against harmful scripts, such as malware that drains your battery. These privacy protections are mostly invisible; you’ll know they’re working when you see a shield icon in left of your address bar. In some cases, blocking this content makes pages load faster, but can affect the page's functionality. It’s easy to [[#w_turn-content-blocking-off-on-individual-sites|disable blocking on sites you trust]]. You can also customize your content blocking preferences to [[#w_how-to-block-more-or-fewer-trackers|block more or fewer trackers]]. {/for} {for not fx69} Content blocking is a collection of Firefox privacy features that protect you from threats and annoyances on the Web. This includes protections against trackers, which collect your browsing data across multiple websites. Starting with Firefox version 67, you can block harmful scripts including cryptominers and fingerprinters. These privacy protections are mostly invisible, but you’ll know they’re working when you see a shield icon on the left within your address bar. In some cases, blocking this content makes pages load faster, but can affect the page's functionality. It’s easy to [[#w_turn-content-blocking-off-on-individual-sites_2|disable blocking on sites you trust]]. You can also customize your content blocking preferences to [[#w_how-to-block-more-or-fewer-trackers_2|block more or fewer trackers]]. {/for} __TOC__ {for fx69} =Privacy protections included in content blocking= *'''Trackers:''' Tracking generally refers to content, cookies, or scripts that can collect your browsing data across multiple sites. Firefox blocks trackers in private windows by default. Select the '''Strict''' or '''Custom''' radio button to block known trackers in all windows. *'''Third-party tracking cookies:''' A third-party cookie is set by a website other than the one you’re currently on. Advertisers most commonly use third-party cookies to track you across multiple websites and target you with ads. Starting in Firefox 69, third-party tracking cookies are blocked for all users by default. *'''Fingerprinters:''' Fingerprinting scripts collect information about your browser and device configuration, such as your operating system, screen resolution, and other settings. By compiling these pieces of data, fingerprinters create a unique profile of you that can be used to track you around the web. Fingerprinting violates Firefox’s anti-tracking policy. Select the Strict or Custom radio button to block fingerprinters in Firefox 69. *'''Cryptominers:''' Cryptomining scripts use your computer’s central processing unit (CPU) to invisibly mine cryptocurrency. These scripts slow down your computer and drain your battery. Cryptominers are blocked by default in Firefox 69. =How to block more or fewer trackers= By default, Firefox protects you from being tracked in [[Private Browsing - Use Firefox without saving history|private windows]] using a list of known trackers provided by [https://disconnect.me/trackerprotection Disconnect]. Firefox allows some trackers so websites can function properly. You can change your settings to block trackers all the time, to block trackers from Disconnect’s level 2 list, or to not block any trackers at all. To adjust your settings: #Click the menu button [[Image:fx57menu]]. #Click {menu Content Blocking}. <br />This takes you to the ''Content Blocking'' section in your Firefox [[T:optionsorpreferences]] Privacy & Security panel. #;[[Image:Fx69ContentBlocking-Standard]] #Choose your content blocking settings: *'''Standard''': Blocks known trackers in private windows, third-party tracking cookies and cryptominers. This is the default setting. To restore to defaults at anytime, select '''Standard'''. *'''Strict''': Blocks known trackers in all windows, third-party tracking cookies, fingerprinters, and cryptominers. *'''Custom''': Lets you choose what to block. You can also turn off all content blocking using the '''Custom''' radio button. You can also set Firefox to always send websites a ''Do Not Track'' signal. See [[How do I turn on the Do Not Track feature?]] to learn more. ==Custom settings== ===Aggressive protection=== #Select '''Custom'''. #Select {menu In all windows} from the drop-down on the right. #;[[Image:Tracking Protection]] #Click the '''Change block list''' link. <br />The ''Block Lists'' pop-up displays. #Select {menu Level 2 block list. Blocks all detected trackers. Some websites or content may not load properly}. #Click {button Save Changes}. #Select the '''Cookies''' checkbox if not already selected. <br />{menu Third-Party Trackers} is selected by default. Select more aggressive cookie protections from the dropdown, such as blocking all third-party cookies or even blocking all cookies. #Select the '''Cryptominers''' checkbox. #Select the '''Fingerprinters''' checkbox. #Click the {button Reload All Tabs} button to apply these changes on all your open tabs. ===Remove all protections=== You can also remove all the protections offered by content blocking, which effectively disables the feature. #Select the '''Custom''' radio button. #Deselect the '''Trackers''' checkbox. #Deselect the '''Cookies''' checkbox. #Deselect the '''Cryptominers''' checkbox. #Deselect the '''Fingerprinters''' checkbox. #Click the {button Reload All Tabs} button to apply these changes on all your open tabs. =How to detect when content blocking is on= When Firefox is blocking content on a website, a shield icon [[Image:Address bar shield]] will appear in your address bar. ;[[Image:url shield 65]] [[Template:controlcenterpanel]] View the Content Blocking section. This provides more information about the type of content Firefox is blocking, such as detected trackers and trackers set by third-party tracking cookies. ;[[Image:content blocking panel 65]] The content that is blocked will depend on the website and your settings. Click on the arrows "'''>'''" to the right of the ''Trackers'' and ''Cookies'' settings to see what content has been blocked or permitted on the specific site you're on. ;[[Image:blocked cookies 65]] Blocked content will be labeled as ''Blocked'' and grayed out. =Turn content blocking off on individual sites= Sometimes content blocking can prevent pages or parts of pages from loading. If content blocking interferes with your browsing, you can disable it on individual sites. The shield icon appears in the address bar when Firefox is actively blocking content on a page. #[[Template:controlcenterpanel]] #;[[Image:content blocking panel 65]] #Click the {button Turn off Blocking for This Site} button from a normal browsing window to disable blocking for the website. <br />If you're in a private window, click the {button Turn off Blocking Temporarily} button (see below). <br />Once content blocking is disabled, a shield icon with a strikethrough [[Image:shield icon strikethrough]] will appear in your address bar. To turn content blocking back on, expand the Control Center panel by clicking the shield or the {button site information} button [[Image:site info icon]] and click the {button Turn on Blocking for This Site} button. =Content Blocking in Private Browsing= Since [[Private Browsing - Use Firefox without saving history|Private Browsing]] doesn’t save information about your browsing session, when you disable content blocking for a site, it will only remain disabled during your current private browsing session. When you start a new private browsing session, your content blocking settings will be restored for all sites. If you’ve disabled content blocking for a site while in a normal browsing window, Firefox will continue to disable content blocking for this same site when in a private window. =Block lists in Firefox= By default, Firefox uses the [https://disconnect.me Disconnect.me] Level 1 block list. For more aggressive tracking protection, use the Disconnect<!-- -->.me Level 2 block list. *Level 1 blocks commonly known analytics trackers, social sharing trackers, and advertising trackers. However, the basic protection list allows some known content trackers so that fewer pages break or fail to load. *Level 2 list blocks all known trackers, including analytics trackers, social sharing trackers, and advertising trackers as well as content trackers. The strict list will break some videos, photo slideshows, and social networking features. ==Change your block list== #Click the menu button [[Image:fx57menu]]. #Click {menu Content Blocking}. <br />This takes you to the ''Content Blocking'' section in your Firefox [[T:optionsorpreferences]] Privacy & Security panel. #Select the '''Custom''' radio button. #Click the '''Change block list''' link. #Choose the block list you want to use. #;[[Image:Change Block Lists]] #Click {button Save Changes}. {/for} {for not fx69} =Privacy protections included in content blocking= *Trackers: Tracking generally refers to content, cookies, or scripts that can collect your browsing data across multiple sites. Firefox blocks trackers in private windows by default. Select the '''Strict''' or '''Custom''' radio button to block known trackers in all windows. *Third-party tracking cookies: A third-party cookie is set by a website other than the one you’re currently on. Advertisers most commonly use these third-party cookies to track you across multiple websites and target you with ads. Firefox will soon block third-party tracking cookies for everyone by default. We’re gradually rolling out these protections to all users. *Cryptominers: Cryptomining scripts use your computer’s central processing unit (CPU) to invisibly mine cryptocurrency. These scripts slow down your computer and drain your battery. {for not fx68}Block cryptominers using the '''Custom''' radio button{/for}{for =fx68}Block cryptominers using the '''Strict''' radio button{/for}. *Fingerprinters: Fingerprinting scripts collect information about your browser and device configuration, such as your operating system, screen resolution, and other settings. By compiling these pieces of data, fingerprinters create a unique profile of you that can be used to track you around the web. Fingerprinting violates Firefox’s anti-tracking policy. {for not fx68}Block fingerprinters using the '''Custom''' radio button{/for}{for fx68}Block fingerprinters using the '''Strict''' radio button{/for}. =How to block more or fewer trackers= By default, Firefox protects you from being tracked in [[Private Browsing - Use Firefox without saving history|private windows]] using a list of known trackers provided by [https://disconnect.me/trackerprotection Disconnect]. Firefox allows some trackers so websites can function properly. You can change your settings to block trackers all the time, to block trackers from Disconnect’s level 2 list, or to not block any trackers at all. To adjust your settings: #Click the menu button [[Image:fx57menu]]. #Click {menu Content Blocking}. <br />This takes you to the ''Content Blocking'' section in your Firefox [[T:optionsorpreferences]] Privacy & Security panel. If your Firefox looks different, it's because we're gradually rolling out protections against third-party tracking cookies to all users. #;[[Image:Content Blocking]] #Choose your content blocking settings: *'''Standard''': Blocks known trackers in private windows and third-party tracking cookies. This is the default setting. To restore to defaults at anytime, select '''Standard'''. *'''Strict''': Blocks trackers in all windows and third-party tracking [[Cookies - Information that websites store on your computer|cookies]]. *'''Custom''': Lets you choose what to block. You can also turn off all content blocking using the '''Custom''' radio button. You can also set Firefox to always send websites a ''Do Not Track'' signal. See [[How do I turn on the Do Not Track feature?]] to learn more. ==Custom settings for aggressive protection== #Select '''Custom'''. #Select {menu In all windows} from the drop-down on the right. #;[[Image:Tracking Protection]] #Click the '''Change block list''' link. <br />The ''Block Lists'' pop-up displays. #Select {menu Level 2 block list. Blocks all detected trackers. Some websites or content may not load properly}. #Click {button Save Changes}. #Select the '''Cookies''' checkbox if not already selected. <br />{menu Third-Party Trackers} is selected by default. Select more aggressive cookie protections from the dropdown, such as blocking all third-party cookies or even blocking all cookies. #Select the '''Cryptominers''' checkbox. #Select the '''Fingerprinters''' checkbox. #Click the {button Reload All Tabs} button to apply these changes on all your open tabs. ==Remove all protections== You can also remove all the protections offered by content blocking, which effectively disables the feature. #Select the '''Custom''' radio button. #Deselect the '''Trackers''' checkbox. #Deselect the '''Cookies''' checkbox. #Deselect the '''Cryptominers''' checkbox. #Deselect the '''Fingerprinters''' checkbox. #Click the {button Reload All Tabs} button to apply these changes on all your open tabs. =How to detect when content blocking is on= When Firefox is blocking content on a website, a shield icon [[Image:Address bar shield]] will appear in your address bar. ;[[Image:url shield 65]] [[Template:controlcenterpanel]] View the Content Blocking section. This provides more information about the type of content Firefox is blocking, such as detected trackers and trackers set by third-party tracking cookies. ;[[Image:content blocking panel 65]] The content that is blocked will depend on the website and your settings. Click on the arrows "'''>'''" to the right of the ''Trackers'' and ''Cookies'' settings to see what content has been blocked or permitted on the specific site you're on. ;[[Image:blocked cookies 65]] Blocked content will be labeled as ''Blocked'' and grayed out. =Turn content blocking off on individual sites= Sometimes content blocking can prevent pages or parts of pages from loading. If content blocking interferes with your browsing, you can disable it on individual sites. The shield icon appears in the address bar when Firefox is actively blocking content on a page. #[[Template:controlcenterpanel]] #;[[Image:content blocking panel 65]] #Click the {button Turn off Blocking for This Site} button from a normal browsing window to disable blocking for the website. <br />If you're in a private window, click the {button Turn off Blocking Temporarily} button (see below). <br />Once content blocking is disabled, a shield icon with a strikethrough [[Image:shield icon strikethrough]] will appear in your address bar. To turn content blocking back on, expand the Control Center panel by clicking the shield or the {button site information} button [[Image:site info icon]] and click the {button Turn on Blocking for This Site} button. =Content Blocking in Private Browsing= Since [[Private Browsing - Use Firefox without saving history|Private Browsing]] doesn’t save information about your browsing session, when you disable content blocking for a site, it will only remain disabled during your current private browsing session. When you start a new private browsing session, your content blocking settings will be restored for all sites. If you’ve disabled content blocking for a site while in a normal browsing window, Firefox will continue to disable content blocking for this same site when in a private window. =Block lists in Firefox= By default, Firefox uses the [https://disconnect.me Disconnect.me] Level 1 block list. For more aggressive tracking protection, use the Disconnect<!-- -->.me Level 2 block list. *Level 1 blocks commonly known analytics trackers, social sharing trackers, and advertising trackers. However, the basic protection list allows some known content trackers so that fewer pages break or fail to load. *Level 2 list blocks all known trackers, including analytics trackers, social sharing trackers, and advertising trackers as well as content trackers. The strict list will break some videos, photo slideshows, and social networking features. ==Change your block list== #Click the menu button [[Image:fx57menu]]. #Click {menu Content Blocking}. <br />This takes you to the ''Content Blocking'' section in your Firefox [[T:optionsorpreferences]] Privacy & Security panel. #Select the '''Custom''' radio button. #Click the '''Change block list''' link. #Choose the block list you want to use. #;[[Image:Change Block Lists]] #Click {button Save Changes}. {/for}