Firefox’s New Anti‑Fingerprinting Protections & How to Boost Your Home Privacy

Written By Frank Marano

The descendant of Netscape is still fighting for users. Mozilla Firefox 145 introduces new anti‑fingerprinting defenses that make it harder for advertisers and trackers to build a unique digital signature of your device. For now, these protections are available in Private Browsing Mode and Enhanced Tracking Protection (ETP) Strict, but Mozilla plans to enable them by default after testing. It’s a big win for privacy, though Mozilla acknowledges the balance: block too aggressively and you risk breaking legitimate site features.

But browser upgrades are only part of the story. If you want to level up your home network’s privacy, here are practical steps you can take:

  • Harden Your Browser: Use privacy‑focused browsers like Firefox or Brave, enable strict tracking protection, and add extensions like uBlock Origin.

  • Use Secure Apps: Switch to encrypted messaging apps like Signal, consider secure email providers such as Proton Mail, and adopt a password manager like Bitwarden.

  • Enable Private DNS: Configure DNS over HTTPS (DoH) or DNS over TLS, and use Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1 or similar private DNS at the router level.

  • Block Ads & Trackers at the Network Level: Deploy Pi‑hole or AdGuard Home to protect every device on your network.

  • Use a More Secure Search Tool: Replace Google with DuckDuckGo or Startpage for privacy‑centric searches.

  • Deploy a Firewall: Install a dedicated LAN firewall like pfSense, OPNsense, or IPFire.

  • Consider a VPN: While not free, a reputable VPN adds another layer of encryption and anonymity.

Privacy isn’t just about dodging ads—it’s about reducing your digital footprint and protecting your household from profiling and surveillance. Firefox continues Netscape’s legacy of user‑first innovation, and with tools like Pi‑hole, DuckDuckGo, and Signal, you can build a layered defense that keeps your browsing habits truly yours.

👉 Want to take privacy beyond the browser? Actionable Security’s vCISO Advisory helps organizations navigate complex privacy laws like HIPAA, GDPR, CCPA, GLBA, and more—ensuring compliance while meeting security requirements.

#NetscapeGlowUp #FingerprintingFoiled #PrivacyParade

Frank Marano https://actionablesec.com
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