Firefox Browser Guide for macOS

Complete Firefox browser setup and configuration guide for Mac users. Installation, features, privacy optimization, and essential add-ons for the best Firefox experience.

Mozilla Firefox
Enhanced Tracking Protection
Privacy-First
macOS Optimized

Privacy-First Browser

Firefox offers excellent privacy protection by default with Enhanced Tracking Protection, open-source transparency, and no corporate tracking business model.

Installation & Setup

Get Firefox running on your Mac with optimal configuration

Download & Install Firefox

Official Mozilla download with macOS optimization
1
Visit mozilla.org/firefox and download for macOS
2
Open the .dmg file and drag Firefox to Applications
3
Launch Firefox and complete initial setup

Privacy & Security Settings

Configure Firefox's Enhanced Tracking Protection

Enhanced Tracking Protection

Path: Firefox → Settings → Privacy & Security

Firefox's built-in tracking protection blocks social media trackers, cross-site cookies, fingerprinters, and cryptominers.

🛡️ Strict Mode (Recommended)

  • • Blocks social media trackers
  • • Blocks cross-site tracking cookies
  • • Blocks tracking content
  • • Blocks cryptominers and fingerprinters

⚖️ Custom Mode

  • • Choose specific tracker categories
  • • Customize cookie blocking
  • • Fine-tune fingerprinting protection
  • • Better website compatibility

Website Compatibility

Strict mode may break some websites. Use Custom mode if you encounter issues.

Cookie & Site Data Management

Control how Firefox handles cookies and site data
  • • Delete cookies and site data when Firefox is closed: Maximum privacy
  • • HTTPS-Only Mode: Force secure connections in all windows
  • • Clear history when Firefox closes: Automatic cleanup

WebRTC IP Leak Protection

Prevent real IP address leaks through WebRTC

Limit IP Exposure (Recommended)

Path: about:config → media.peerconnection.ice.default_address_only
1
Type about:config in the address bar
2
Click "Accept the Risk and Continue"
3
Search for media.peerconnection.ice.default_address_only
4
Double-click to set it to true

Maintains WebRTC Functionality

This setting prevents local IP leaks while keeping video calls working.

Complete WebRTC Disable

For maximum protection at the cost of video call functionality

Set media.peerconnection.enabled to false in about:config to completely disable WebRTC.

Functionality Impact

This breaks video calls and some web applications that rely on WebRTC.

Advanced Privacy Configuration

Additional about:config tweaks for enhanced privacy

Advanced Settings Warning

These are advanced settings. Only modify them if you understand the implications. Always backup your Firefox profile before making changes.

DNS over HTTPS (DoH)

Path: Settings → Privacy & Security → DNS over HTTPS

Encrypts DNS queries to prevent ISP monitoring. Choose "Max Protection" and select Cloudflare or NextDNS as your provider.

Disable Telemetry

toolkit.telemetry.enabled → false, toolkit.telemetry.unified → false, datareporting.healthreport.uploadEnabled → false

Enhanced Fingerprinting Protection

privacy.resistFingerprinting → true, privacy.trackingprotection.fingerprinting.enabled → true

Disable Prefetching

network.dns.disablePrefetch → true, network.prefetch-next → false, network.predictor.enabled → false

Essential Privacy Add-ons

Install from Mozilla Add-ons for enhanced privacy

Installing Add-ons

Visit addons.mozilla.org for verified extensions
1
Visit Firefox Add-ons (addons.mozilla.org)
2
Search for your desired add-on
3
Click "Add to Firefox" and confirm installation

uBlock Origin

Essential

Most effective ad and tracker blocker with advanced filtering capabilities

ClearURLs

URL Cleaner

Automatically removes tracking parameters from URLs

Decentraleyes

CDN Protection

Protects against tracking through CDN resources

Privacy Badger

EFF Project

Learns and blocks trackers automatically

Multi-Account Containers

Mozilla Official

Isolate different activities in separate containers

Temporary Containers

Advanced

Automatically opens websites in temporary containers

Additional Firefox Privacy Tips

Final optimizations for maximum privacy

Use Private Browsing

File → New Private Window (⌘⇧P) for browsing without saving history

Privacy-Focused Search

Set DuckDuckGo or Startpage as default search engine

Master Password

Enable Primary Password for saved logins protection

Firefox Sync Privacy

Uses end-to-end encryption, more private than Chrome sync

Firefox Setup Checklist

Test Your Firefox Privacy Setup

After configuring these settings, test your Firefox setup to ensure all privacy protections are working correctly and check for any remaining privacy leaks.

Test Your Privacy Setup →