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What happened to Tracking Protection?

Tracking generally refers to content, cookies, or scripts that can collect your browsing data across multiple sites. Waterfox provides users with tools to block these online trackers. This feature was called Tracking Protection in the past. Starting in Waterfox version 63, the functionality of Tracking Protection is included in a new set of features called Content Blocking. Now, you can get the same tracking protection by selecting the setting to block all detected trackers.

Update Waterfox to the latest version to use Content Blocking and for the latest security and stability updates.

Turn Tracking Protection on or off automatically for certain sessions

By default, Waterfox blocks trackers only in Private Browsing windows. You can customize Tracking Protection so that it’s on all the time, only in private windows or not at all.

  1. Click the menu button menu button and select Settings.
  2. Click Privacy & Security on the left and go to the Tracking Protection section.
  3. Choose between the following options:
    • Always: Keep Tracking Protection on as you browse.
    • Only in private windows: Turns Tracking Protection on only if you’re using a Private Browsing window.
    • Never: Turns off Tracking Protection for all sites.

Turn Tracking Protection on or off in private windows

Tracking Protection is turned on by default in Private Browsing windows.

Click the switch next to Tracking Protection on the Private Browsing home page to turn it off or back on.

Turn off Tracking Protection for individual sites

You may also choose to disable Tracking Protection for particular websites.

  1. The shield icon will appear when Waterfox is actively blocking trackers on a page. Click the shield icon to bring up the Control Center.
  2. In the Control Center, click Disable protection for this session.
  3. Once Tracking Protection is disabled, a shield icon with red strikethrough will appear in your address bar.

To re-enable Tracking Protection, click the shield icon again and click Enable Protection. Since Private Browsing mode doesn’t keep any information about your browsing session, when you disable Tracking Protection for a site it only lasts for this session. When you start a new Private Browsing session, Tracking Protection will be turned on again for all sites.