We're calling on all EU-based Mozillians with iOS or iPadOS devices to help us monitor Apple’s new browser choice screens. Join the effort to hold Big Tech to account!

Avatar for Username

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

This thread was archived. Please ask a new question if you need help.

How can I get tracking protection without losing browser history?

  • 2 replies
  • 6 have this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by andycivil

andycivil
andycivil
more options

I am concerned about /external/ security (tracking protection) but not /internal/ security (what's stored on my computer). How can I turn ON 'tracking protection' by itself? It seems to be part of "private browsing", but if I use that, I lose my browser history, which sucks because it's useful. Even the "tracking protection" option actually says "In private windows" but I want it in NON private windows. Or, equivalently, I want private windows to save my url, form, search, download history.

These two kinds of security concern seem very different, so it seems strange that the way it's set up, you can't have the one I want, without also turning on the one I don't want!

I am concerned about /external/ security (tracking protection) but not /internal/ security (what's stored on my computer). How can I turn ON 'tracking protection' by itself? It seems to be part of "private browsing", but if I use that, I lose my browser history, which sucks because it's useful. Even the "tracking protection" option actually says "In private windows" but I want it in NON private windows. Or, equivalently, I want private windows to save my url, form, search, download history. These two kinds of security concern seem very different, so it seems strange that the way it's set up, you can't have the one I want, without also turning on the one I don't want!

Chosen solution

hi andycivil, you can enable tracking protection outside of private browsing mode like this: enter about:config into the firefox address bar (confirm the info message in case it shows up) & search for the preference named privacy.trackingprotection.enabled. double-click it and change its value to true.

if you care about security, you should also urgently update your firefox version - apparently you're still using firefox 43 which is exploitable by remote and will put your system and all your data at risk!

Read this answer in context 👍 3

All Replies (2)

philipp
philipp
  • Moderator
more options

Chosen Solution

hi andycivil, you can enable tracking protection outside of private browsing mode like this: enter about:config into the firefox address bar (confirm the info message in case it shows up) & search for the preference named privacy.trackingprotection.enabled. double-click it and change its value to true.

if you care about security, you should also urgently update your firefox version - apparently you're still using firefox 43 which is exploitable by remote and will put your system and all your data at risk!

andycivil
andycivil Question owner
more options

Perversely, while I was in about:config, I noticed that if you turn privacy.trackingprotection.ui.enabled on, then a more useful set of options appears in the regular security tab! (I have to wonder why that wasn't the default.) Thank you. (And yes, I updated earlier.)