Internet browsers are the first step to accessing the Internet. They are also the first step to both increasing your online privacy and controlling your personal information. Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Safari all provide in-browser privacy settings for users. These options include private browsing, controlling activity logs, deleting cookies, and others.

For survivors of abuse and stalking, using these privacy options may increase their privacy and safety, particularly if they are concerned that an abusive person is physically monitoring their device activity. They can also help survivors have more control over how their personal information is collected and stored when they are online. However, browser privacy options are not going to protect from remote spying or monitoring if the perpetrator is using stalkerware. Learn more about stalkerware on phones and computers.

This document discusses various options that can enhance a user’s privacy in Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Safari. This info sheet is up to date as of October 2022. It is best to search for “how to” on these sites directly for the most up-to-date information.

Here we discuss the following options:

• Private browsing allows users to surf the Internet without the browser collecting history. This is helpful if you are concerned that someone may be monitoring your internet activity by going through your browser history. However, private browsing will not prevent someone from knowing what you’re doing online if they are looking over your shoulder or are monitoring your device with stalkerware.

• Do not track is a setting that allows users to opt out of third-party tracking, such as advertisers on a website that you’re visiting. This feature is only for third-party tracking, which often tracks users for behavioural advertising purposes; it doesn’t prevent the website that you’re visiting from collecting information about you.

All the browsers discussed here allow users to delete their browser history. Keep in mind that if someone is monitoring your computer use, deleting your browser history may appear suspicious.

However, regularly deleting your browsing history can increase privacy.

Private Browsing: Incognito Mode

1. In a new window, click on the Chrome menu  icon.
2. Choose New Incognito window.
3. A new window will open with a message explaining incognito mode. You will remain in incognito mode until you close this browser window.

Do Not Track:

1. On your computer, open Chrome.
2. At the top right, click More  Settings.
3. Click Privacy and security Cookies and other site data.
4. Turn Send a "Do not track" request with your browsing traffic on or off.

History:

1. On your computer, open Chrome.
2. At the top right, click More  History.
3. On the left, click Clear browsing data.
4. From the drop-down menu, select how much history you want to delete.
5. Check the boxes for the info you want Chrome to clear, including Browsing history.
6. Click Clear data.

Additional Privacy Options:

1. On your computer, open Chrome.
2. At the top right, click More  Settings.
3. Click Privacy and security.
4. Choose what settings to turn off.
   1. To control how Chrome handles content and permissions for a site, click Site settings.
   2. To delete information from your browsing activity, like your history, cookies, or saved passwords, click Clear browsing data.
   3. To control how Chrome handles cookies and tracking, click Cookies and other site data.
   4. To manage safe browsing and protection, click Security.

Google also offers a Privacy Checkup that allows you to review the privacy settings of any Google products you use, such as YouTube. Visit https://myaccount.google.com/privacycheckup/ for more information.

Private Browsing

1. Click the menu button and then click “New Private Window”
2. A new window will appear explaining Firefox’s Private Browsing option. You will remain in this mode until you close this browser window.

There is also an option to always browse privately. See here for more info.

Do Not Track:

The Do Not Track feature is turned off by default, except in Private Windows, where it is always on by default. To always use Do Not Track:

1. Click the menu button and select Settings.
2. Select the Privacy & Security panel.
   1. This takes you to the Enhanced Tracking Protection section of your Browser Privacy settings.
3. Under Send websites a "Do Not Track" signal that you don't want to be tracked, choose Always. 
   
4. Close the about: preferences page. Any changes you've made will automatically be saved.

To learn more about how Firefox protects you from trackers in Private Windows, see SmartBlock for Enhanced Tracking Protection.

History:

1. Click on the menu button to open the menu panel.
2. Click History and select Clear Recent History.
3. Select how much history you want to clear:
   1. Click the drop-down menu next to Time range to clear to choose how much of your history Firefox will clear (the last hour, the last two hours, the last four hours, the current day or everything).
   2. Use the checkboxes to select what information you want to clear from your history. Your choices are described in the What things are included in my history? section above.
4. Click the OK button. The window will close and the items you've selected will be cleared from your history.

Private Browsing

Browse Privately One Time

1. In the Safari app on your Mac, choose File > New Private Window, or switch to a private window that’s already open.
   A private window has a dark Smart Search field with white text.
2. Browse as you normally would.

When you use a private window:

• Browsing initiated in one tab is isolated from browsing initiated in another tab, so websites you visit can’t track your browsing across multiple sessions.
• Webpages you visit and your AutoFill information aren’t saved.
• Your open webpages aren’t stored in iCloud, so they aren’t shown when you view all your open tabs from other devices.
• Your recent searches aren’t included in the results list when you use the Smart Search field.
• Items you download aren’t included in the downloads list. (The items do remain on your computer.)
• If you use Handoff, private windows are not passed to your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or other Mac computers.
• Changes to your cookies and website data aren’t saved.

Websites can’t modify information stored on your device, so services normally available at such sites may work differently until you use a non-private window.

Note: None of the above applies in non-private Safari windows you may have open.

Always Browse Privately

1. In the Safari app on your Mac, choose Safari > Preferences, then click General.
2. Click the Safari opens with pop-up menu, then choose A new private window. If you don’t see this option, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click General and make sure Close windows when quitting an app is selected.

Do Not Track:

1. In the Safari app on your Mac, choose Safari > Preferences, then click Privacy.
2. Select Prevent cross-site tracking.

Unless you visit and interact with the third-party content provider’s own website, their cookies and website data are deleted.

Social media sites often put Share, Like, or Comment buttons on other websites. These buttons can be used to track your web browsing – even if you don’t use them. Safari blocks that tracking. If you still want to use the buttons, you’ll be asked for your permission to allow the site to see your activities on the other websites.

History:

1. In the Safari app on your Mac, choose History > Clear History, then click the pop-up menu.
2. Choose how far back you want your browsing history cleared.

Additional Privacy:

Check out Apple’s Privacy Preferences here.

Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) is part of a continuum of violence that can be both online and in-person. If you or someone you know is experiencing TFGBV, you are not alone. You can use sheltersafe.ca to find a shelter/transition house near you to discuss options and create a safety plan. You don’t need to stay in a shelter to access free, confidential services and support.

Adapted for Canada with permission from NNEDV’s Safety Net project, based on their resource Internet Browsing Tips.