I'm confused with many security/privacy extensions
One of the reasons I choose Firefox is a commitment to security and privacy. So I wonder about all of the extensions.
I see Password Managers, Anti trackers, Anti Virus, Ad blockers, pop-up blockers, and other extensions that don't seem to fit into any category. There are also proxy managers and alternative search sites, not to mention VPNs. I understand that some password managers offer different features than Firefox. And I understand that one might choose to select an anti-virus program or have a standalone.
But the others seem to offer features that Firefox offers and are recommended by Firefox. Is it that Firefox is good at many of these and there are some specialists to offer greater security?
I've got an ad blocker, a password manager, as well as HTTPS Anywhere, Privacy Badger. I use Cloudfare's DNS Server, a VPN when traveling, have a standalone virus checker, Ghostery, DuckDuckGo Security Essentials, a dead bolt lock and a laser defense system. I change my route to work each day, have removed my amalgam fillings, change my hair color weekly band am known for my collection of tin-foil hats.
But seriously, I do recognize the need. But I wonder if redundancy is a problem. I see things recommended and ask, "But doesn't Firefox do that already?", "Does this duplicate what the other add on does?" and "Won't all these add ons conflict, use up more memory, or cause problems?"
It feels as if I'm getting on a boat that promotes the security features that offers to sell me extra life preservers as I enter.
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Ad-Blockers are stronger than the built-in blockers. VPN can hide your true location, as well as get around some country blocks. Some Password Managers have more options than the built-in.
Many Anti-Virus programs offer great features.
You need to decide what works for you.
Thanks. I guess I'm still unclear about the four below. They have good reputations, but I'm not clear if they are for me.
I take reasonable precautions and tolerate reasonable risk. I'm more cautious than most people: I utilize a password manager with unique/random passwords for each site, use Firefox with recommended options, monitor leaks, consider that each email could be a phishing attempt/go directly to web sites, etc.
- DuckDuckGo Security
- Privacy Badger
- HTTPS Anywhere
- Ghostery
Is there a large gap that I've not addressed and if so would one of these address that gap?
If you use too many extensions in the content blocking category then it is always possible that you run into issues with pages not loading properly and you need to make exceptions. Even with Firefox Enhanced Tracking Protection you can run into issues in some case, but you can easily disable this feature. The more extensions you have the more difficult it becomes to determine what needs to be disabled and you do not know in what order extensions get control: the first active extension can block content, so others do not see this content. If you would disable first extension then the next extension gets control and suddenly starts blocking and once you have disabled all these extensions the Firefox ETP can start blocking content.
Thanks. I understand the downside to adding extensions. I don't want these unless they offer me something I am missing. It isn't worth it to me to have one if it only adds a bit of extra functionality.
Would you say that these cover functionality already IN Firefox with perhaps more functionality?
Sorry if I wasn't clear.
That would depend on the add-on you are asking about.
This from above:
' " DuckDuckGo Security
Privacy Badger HTTPS Anywhere Ghostery
Is there a large gap that I've not addressed and if so would one of these address that gap?"'
All I can tell you is to read the description of each item that draws your interest.