From a1284a16536d9da3bbe816b7c2f1e8489831b5cc Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: yokoffing <11689349+yokoffing@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Wed, 18 Jan 2023 16:31:07 -0500
Subject: [PATCH] README updates (#138)
* Spruce up README
---
README.md | 63 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++-----------------------------
1 file changed, 30 insertions(+), 33 deletions(-)
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 7c2a881..857b2f8 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,19 +1,16 @@
-[](https://github.com/yokoffing/Better-Fox/issues)
+
+
[](https://github.com/yokoffing/Betterfox/issues?q=is%3Aissue+is%3Aclosed)
-
-
-
-
-[](https://hits.seeyoufarm.com)
+[](https://hits.seeyoufarm.com)
# Betterfox
about:config tweaks to enhance [Mozilla Firefox](https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/ "Firefox Homepage"). Files are updated as needed for your [user.js](http://kb.mozillazine.org/User.js_file).
-## Who is this setup for?
-**If you want a secure, blazing fast browsing experience, and don't want to deal with breakage, this setup is for you.** The objective is to make the defaults sufficient enough for the average privacy-minded user, but remain trouble-free enough that my grandmother could use it. (That puts a whole new twist on being a foxy grandma!) Edit: Sorry for the dad joke 😓
+## Made for you
+**A secure, blazing fast browsing experience. Without breakage.** The objective is to make the defaults sufficient enough for the average privacy-minded user, but remain trouble-free enough that my grandmother could use it. (That puts a whole new twist on being a foxy grandma!) Edit: Sorry for the dad joke 😓
## Simple goals
@@ -26,50 +23,51 @@ about:config tweaks to enhance [Mozilla Firefox](https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/f
| List | Description |
|:---------:|-------------|
-| [Securefox](https://github.com/yokoffing/Betterfox/blob/master/Securefox.js) | Remove Telemetry, Mozilla experiments, Google Safe Browsing, and search engine suggestions in URL bar. Auto-upgrade mixed content to HTTPS. Various privacy enhancements. |
-| [Peskyfox](https://github.com/yokoffing/Betterfox/blob/master/Peskyfox.js) | Unclutter the new tab page. Remove Pocket and form autofill. Prevent Firefox from serving annoying webpage notifications. |
| [Fastfox](https://github.com/yokoffing/Betterfox/blob/master/Fastfox.js) | Immensely increase Firefox's browsing speed. Give Chrome a run for its money!|
-| [Smoothfox](https://github.com/yokoffing/Betterfox/blob/master/Smoothfox.js) | Get Microsoft Edge-like smooth scrolling on your favorite browser. |
-| [user.js](https://github.com/yokoffing/Betterfox/blob/master/user.js) | All the essentials. None of the breakage. Users may download this list as their own user.js. |
+| [Securefox](https://github.com/yokoffing/Betterfox/blob/master/Securefox.js) | [Total Cookie Protection](https://blog.mozilla.org/security/2021/02/23/total-cookie-protection/) with [site isolation](https://blog.mozilla.org/security/2021/05/18/introducing-site-isolation-in-firefox/). Enhanced [state](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/Privacy/State_Partitioning) and [network](https://blog.mozilla.org/security/2021/01/26/supercookie-protections/) partitioning. [HTTPS-only](https://blog.mozilla.org/security/2020/11/17/firefox-83-introduces-https-only-mode/) connections. Telemetry blocked. Various enhancements. |
+| [Peskyfox](https://github.com/yokoffing/Betterfox/blob/master/Peskyfox.js) | Unclutter the new tab page. Remove [Pocket](https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/what-pocket). Restore [compact mode](https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/compact-mode-workaround-firefox) as an option. Stop annoying webpage notifications, pop-ups, and other annoyances. |
+| [Smoothfox](https://github.com/yokoffing/Betterfox/blob/master/Smoothfox.js) | Get Edge-like smooth scrolling on your favorite browser — or choose something a little more your style. |
+| [user.js](https://github.com/yokoffing/Betterfox/blob/master/user.js) | All the essentials. None of the breakage. This is your `user.js`. |
-:bulb: `Securefox`, `Peskyfox`, `Fastfox`, and `Smoothfox` are guides to relevant prefs in Firefox. The `user.js` is curated from the prefs located in these documents, so just because a pref is in one of the guides doesn't mean it is included in the final document, the `user.js`. Please use the descriptions and references as a guide for the prefs in Firefox, and open a [feature request](https://github.com/yokoffing/Betterfox/issues/new/choose) if you think one can be improved upon.
+:bulb: `Fastfox`, `Securefox`, `Peskyfox`, and `Smoothfox` are guides to relevant prefs in Firefox. The `user.js` is curated from the options located in these documents. Please read the guides to understand the various options hidden in Firefox.
## about:Privacy
-The guiding principle is: "If it breaks it, it doesn't make it!" So things like WebGL and DRM are still enabled, and you won't find a setting like `privacy.resistFingerprinting` mentioned here ([why?](https://old.reddit.com/r/firefox/comments/wuqpgi/are_there_any_aboutconfig_tweaks_to_get_smooth/ile3whx/?context=3)). Betterfox is designed to set-and-forget, not to troubleshoot and tinker. You can compare different user.js files [here](https://jm42.github.io/compare-user.js).
+Most repos have niche privacy and security concerns with little regard for speed, annoyances, or mainstream use. Betterfox was inspired by the [law of diminishing returns](https://pmctraining.com/site/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Law-of-Diminishing-Returns-CHART.png) and the [minimum effective dose](https://medium.com/the-mission/less-is-more-the-minimum-effective-dose-e6d56625931e). For instance, features like WebGL and DRM are still enabled, and you won't find a setting like `privacy.resistFingerprinting` mentioned here^[*why?*](https://old.reddit.com/r/firefox/comments/wuqpgi/are_there_any_aboutconfig_tweaks_to_get_smooth/ile3whx/?context=3). And while Betterfox is designed to set-and-forget, it contains plenty of options for those who like to tinker.
-Betterfox was created with a [less is more](https://medium.com/the-mission/less-is-more-the-minimum-effective-dose-e6d56625931e) mentality (i.e., keeping in mind [the law of diminishing returns](https://pmctraining.com/site/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Law-of-Diminishing-Returns-CHART.png)). Most repos I've encountered have niche privacy and security concerns with little regard for speed, annoyances, or mainstream use. The average user doesn't need all `prefs` altered to get the results they want.
+If your context calls for _anonymity_ and not just reasonable _privacy_, then please use [Tor Browser](https://www.torproject.org).[1](https://youtu.be/5NrbdO4yWek?t=4334) [Fingerprinting](https://smartframe.io/blog/browser-fingerprinting-everything-you-need-to-know/) is a high [threat model](https://thenewoil.org/threatmodel.html) issue that is [only addressed reasonably by Tor](https://github.com/arkenfox/user.js/wiki/3.3-Overrides-%5BTo-RFP-or-Not%5D).
## Assumptions
-If you use any of the features below, please view the [common overrides](https://github.com/yokoffing/Betterfox/issues/87) sticky to restore functionality.
-* **Google Safe Browsing** (GSB) is disabled. We recommend use DNS-level protection like [NextDNS](https://nextdns.io/?from=xujj63g5), so check out our configuration guide [here](https://github.com/yokoffing/NextDNS-Config). :warning: If you have no other form of protection, then please enable GSB!
-* Firefox **Accessibility Service** is disabled to improve resource utilization and security. This will impact external application autofill capability (the ability to use a keyboard shortcut to fill in forms including logins) and screen readers. If you use assistive software, override this.
-* The native **password manager** is also disabled. If you don't use something like [KeePass](https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/keepassxc-browser/), [Bitwarden](https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/bitwarden-password-manager/), or [1Password](https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1password-x-password-manager), then enable Firefox's password management.
-* **Embedded tweets, instagram, reddit posts, and tiktoks** load on webpages, even though these requests are usually blocked when using Firefox's [Strict Enhanced Tracking Protection](https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/enhanced-tracking-protection-firefox-desktop#w_strict-enhanced-tracking-protection).
+Apply preferences from the [common overrides](https://github.com/yokoffing/Betterfox/issues/87) sticky if you want to revert the following behavior:
+* **Safe Browsing** is enabled as of [v.109](https://github.com/yokoffing/Betterfox/releases/tag/109.0). Our implementation is [privacy-respecting](https://github.com/yokoffing/Betterfox/blob/43eff0db788b0626a95bf9091b0fcb1c83a78cbe/Securefox.js#L1017-L1028) and disables [real-time binary checks](https://github.com/yokoffing/Betterfox/blob/43eff0db788b0626a95bf9091b0fcb1c83a78cbe/Securefox.js#L1058-L1068).
+* Firefox **Accessibility Service** is disabled to improve resource utilization and security. Override this if you use assistive software.
+* **Embedded tweets, instagram, reddit posts, and tiktoks** load on webpages, even though these requests are usually blocked when using [Strict Enhanced Tracking Protection](https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/enhanced-tracking-protection-firefox-desktop#w_strict-enhanced-tracking-protection).
+* The native **password manager** is disabled. We recommend using [KeePass](https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/keepassxc-browser/), [Bitwarden](https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/bitwarden-password-manager/), or [1Password](https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1password-x-password-manager).
* **Firefox Sync** and **Firefox View** are disabled.
-* **Site notifications** are disabled.
-* **Location requests** are rejected.
-* Since Firefox implemented [state](https://github.com/yokoffing/Betterfox/blob/537eb902106f5cacebfd7a77555193ba4573dc6e/SecureFox.js#L73-L88) and [network](https://github.com/yokoffing/Betterfox/blob/537eb902106f5cacebfd7a77555193ba4573dc6e/SecureFox.js#L93-L100) **partitioning**, it is recommended but no longer necessary to clear browsing data after every session.
-* [Fingerprinting](https://smartframe.io/blog/browser-fingerprinting-everything-you-need-to-know/) is a high [threat model](https://thenewoil.org/threatmodel.html) issue and is only addressed reasonably by TOR.[1](https://youtu.be/5NrbdO4yWek?t=4334) If your threat level calls for _anonymity_ and not just reasonable _privacy_, then please use the [TOR browser](https://www.torproject.org).
+* **Location requests** are rejected and **site notifications** are disabled.
-## Mentions
+### Suggestions
+* We recommend you enable **sanitize on close** ([clear browsing data on shutdown](https://github.com/yokoffing/Betterfox/blob/99f2e860633f307781ddb73d792358ad1bec6af5/Securefox.js#L409-L434)).
+ * You can **allow exceptions** if you want to stay logged in to some sites in *Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data → Manage Exceptions*.
+ * Check *Delete cookies and site data when Firefox is closed*.
-### Reddit
-- User comments:
-[1](https://old.reddit.com/r/firefox/comments/xsw0zt/comment/iqo0dbv/?context=3)
+## Recognition
+### User Comments
+- [1](https://old.reddit.com/r/firefox/comments/xsw0zt/comment/iqo0dbv/?context=3)
[2](https://old.reddit.com/r/browsers/comments/y7w57n/which_browser_do_you_use_on_your_devices/it30hqi/?context=3)
[3](https://www.troddit.com/r/firefox/comments/z5auzi/firefox_not_properly_usingrecognizing_gpu_poor/iy0kru3)
[4](https://www.troddit.com/r/firefox/comments/z5auzi/firefox_not_properly_usingrecognizing_gpu_poor/iy36hyz)
[5](https://old.reddit.com/r/firefox/comments/1030fri/why_does_firefox_feel_slowchoppy/j2wu4ow/)
[6](https://old.reddit.com/r/pcmasterrace/comments/zwioe1/what_browser_will_you_be_using_in_2023_please/j1wmbxo/)
[7](https://old.reddit.com/r/firefox/comments/zodxzx/performance_optimizations_for_firefox/j0memta/?context=2)
+[8](https://old.reddit.com/r/browsers/comments/106qwyk/in_contrast_to_previous_post_what_do_you_like/j3irpx0/?context=2)
### YouTube
-* [I Hate Firefox. But I'm Still Switching Back to It.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0SJFED5xK0) (Nov 2022)
+* [I Hate Firefox. But I'm Still Switching Back to It.](https://youtu.be/w0SJFED5xK0?t=220) (Nov 2022)
* [Español] [Optimizar y Acelerar Firefox](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XtoONmq5_Q) (Nov 2022)
* [How To Improve Firefox Performance](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8IOJiOFVEk) (Dec 2021)
### Podcasts
-* [GhoSTORIES with Franz & Pete, S2|E6, 17:05-18:40](https://anchor.fm/ghostories/episodes/S2E6-We-Talking-Ghostery-Dawn----Again-er0q02/a-a4o5vmh) (Feb 2021)
+* [GhoSTORIES with Franz & Pete](https://anchor.fm/ghostories/episodes/S2E6-We-Talking-Ghostery-Dawn----Again-er0q02/a-a4o5vmh), S2|E6, 17:05-18:40 (Feb 2021)
### Browser Integration
* [Pulse Browser](https://github.com/pulse-browser/browser#%EF%B8%8F-credits) | [files](https://github.com/pulse-browser/browser/tree/alpha/src/browser/app/profile) (Dec 2021)
@@ -84,14 +82,13 @@ If you use any of the features below, please view the [common overrides](https:/
### Contributions
* [Ghostery desktop browser](https://github.com/ghostery/user-agent-desktop/issues?q=is%3Apr+is%3Aissue+author%3Ayokoffing+)
- * [Fingerprinting protection: Betterfox and arkenfox](https://github.com/ghostery/user-agent-desktop/issues/486) (somewhat outdated)
* [Orion Browser](https://orionfeedback.org/?author=yokoffing)
* [Kagi Search Engine](https://kagifeedback.org/?author=yokoffing)
* [Various blocklists](https://github.com/yokoffing/filterlists#contributions)
## Credit
* Many thanks to the [Firefox](https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/) team and to the people working on [Bugzilla](https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/home), fighting for the [open web](https://docs.openwebsandbox.org/learn/ows-articles/what-is-the-open-web).
-* This repository benefits from the research provided by [arkenfox](https://github.com/arkenfox/user.js). While Betterfox does not use their `user.js`, we attempt to maintain parity with it.
+* This repository benefits from the ongoing research provided by [arkenfox](https://github.com/arkenfox/user.js). They are the foundation to any worthwhile `user.js`.
## Support
I’m a one-person operation, running this page as a passion project in my time off. If you enjoy my work, please leave a tip! Your support is incredibly appreciated and allows me to dedicate time to this project :blush:
@@ -101,4 +98,4 @@ I’m a one-person operation, running this page as a passion project in my time
PayPal: [paypal.me](about:blank) (forthcoming)
-
23 July 2022
+
since 23 July 2022