Browser Extensions
Add-ons that block trackers, spoof fingerprints, and prevent leaks
How They Work
Extensions add specific privacy features to your existing browser. They can be combined for layered protection, but be aware that having many extensions can ironically make your fingerprint more unique.
What They Can Protect
- Browser and user agent — spoofed to a different browser/OS combination
- Operating system — hidden through user agent spoofing
- Cookies — blocked, isolated, or auto-deleted
- JavaScript — selectively blocked on untrusted sites
- GPU renderer and WebGL — randomized or blocked
- Canvas fingerprint — noise injected to prevent tracking
- WebRTC — disabled to prevent IP leaks
- Platform — spoofed through user agent changes
Privacy Extensions Overview
uBlock Origin
The most effective single extension for privacy. Blocks trackers, ads, and known fingerprinting scripts. Can also block JavaScript on specific sites. Open source with no monetization agenda.
- Wide filter list support (EasyList, EasyPrivacy, and more)
- Low memory and CPU usage
- Advanced mode allows per-site script blocking
- Available for Firefox, Chrome, Edge
Adblock Plus
One of the oldest and most popular ad-blocking extensions. Blocks ads and some trackers, but has a controversial "Acceptable Ads" program that whitelists ads from companies that pay to be included.
- Blocks ads and known tracking scripts
- "Acceptable Ads" enabled by default — some ads from paying advertisers are allowed through unless you manually disable this feature
- No fingerprint protection — only blocks ads and trackers, does not spoof or mask browser parameters
- Higher memory usage compared to uBlock Origin
- Available for Firefox, Chrome, Edge, Safari, Opera
DuckDuckGo Privacy Essentials
An all-in-one privacy extension from DuckDuckGo that blocks trackers, forces encrypted connections, and shows a privacy grade for each website. Focused on ease of use rather than deep customization.
- Blocks third-party trackers using DuckDuckGo's Tracker Radar dataset
- Forces HTTPS connections where available (Smart Encryption)
- Displays a privacy grade (A-F) for each website you visit
- Global Privacy Control (GPC) signal enabled by default
- Does not block fingerprinting — focuses on tracker blocking and encryption
- Available for Firefox, Chrome, Edge, Safari
Privacy Badger
Automatically learns to block invisible trackers based on their behavior. Unlike uBlock Origin, it doesn't use pre-made filter lists — it observes and blocks tracking behavior in real time.
- Developed by the EFF (Electronic Frontier Foundation)
- Learns automatically — no configuration needed
- Replaces social media widgets with click-to-activate placeholders
- Available for Firefox, Chrome, Edge, Opera
Ghostery
A tracker detection and blocking extension that identifies and blocks tracking scripts on websites. Has undergone significant changes in ownership and business model over the years.
- Identifies and categorizes trackers on each page (advertising, analytics, social media, etc.)
- Built-in ad blocking and anti-tracking features
- Controversial history — previously owned by advertising company Evidon (now Ghostery GmbH, a German company). Past versions collected anonymized user data, though current versions claim not to
- No fingerprint protection — focuses on tracker blocking only
- Available for Firefox, Chrome, Edge, Safari, Opera
Canvas Blocker
Prevents canvas and WebGL fingerprinting by adding random noise or returning blank data. Specifically targets one of the most effective fingerprinting techniques.
- Multiple protection modes (fake, block, ask)
- Protects canvas, WebGL, audio, and history API
- Available for Firefox
User Agent Switcher
Changes your browser's user agent string to impersonate a different browser or OS. Useful but can create inconsistencies with other fingerprint parameters.
- Quick switching between common user agents
- Can be set per-site or globally
- Be careful: mismatched user agent and actual browser behavior can make you more unique
Chameleon
A comprehensive anti-fingerprinting extension for Firefox that spoofs multiple browser parameters at once — user agent, timezone, language, screen resolution, and more. Designed to make your browser appear as a different device on every visit.
- Spoofs user agent, platform, language, timezone, and screen size simultaneously
- Can rotate spoofed values at set intervals or per-session
- Includes WebRTC IP leak protection
- Available for Firefox only
Trace
An anti-fingerprinting extension that specifically targets advanced tracking techniques. Protects against canvas, WebGL, AudioContext, and font fingerprinting with fine-grained control over each parameter.
- Protects against canvas, WebGL, AudioContext, WebRTC, and font fingerprinting
- Blocks Etag tracking and hyperlink auditing
- Shows a real-time dashboard of blocked fingerprinting attempts
- Available for Firefox and Chrome
Warning: Installing too many extensions can make your browser more unique, not less. A rare combination of extensions is itself a fingerprint. Stick to 2-3 well-known extensions rather than installing everything.
Extension Protection Matrix
Not every extension protects against every threat. This matrix shows which tracking techniques each extension can block or mitigate.
As you can see, no single extension covers everything. Tracker-blocking extensions (uBlock Origin, Privacy Badger) excel at blocking ads and cookies, while anti-fingerprinting extensions (Canvas Blocker, Chameleon, Trace) protect against hardware-level identification.
The Extension Paradox
There's an ironic tension in privacy extensions: installing too few leaves you exposed, but installing too many makes your browser configuration so unusual that it becomes a fingerprint itself. The sweet spot is 2-3 carefully chosen extensions.
The more extensions you install, the more unusual your browser configuration becomes. With 5+ privacy extensions, you're likely one of very few people with that exact combination — making you easy to identify even without cookies.
Recommended Combinations
Based on your comfort level and technical expertise, here are three practical tiers for combining privacy extensions.
Start with the Basic tier — uBlock Origin alone provides significant protection with zero configuration. Move to Moderate if you want automatic tracker learning. Only use the Advanced tier on Firefox if you understand the trade-offs of fingerprint spoofing and are willing to troubleshoot occasional site breakage.