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# 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 š
## Simple goals
1) **Minimalism:** get what isn't needed out of the way
2) **Efficiency:** unleash Firefox's ability to be fast and performant
3) **Security:** sensible privacy and security without causing site breakage
## Simple configs
| 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. |
: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.
## 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).
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.
## 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).
* **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).
## Mentions
**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)
#### YouTube
* [I Hate Firefox. But I'm Still Switching Back to It.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0SJFED5xK0) (Nov 2022)
* [Spanish] [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)
#### 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)
* [Ghostery Dawn](https://github.com/ghostery/user-agent-desktop#community) | [files](https://github.com/ghostery/user-agent-desktop/tree/main/brands/ghostery/branding/pref) (Feb 2021)
* [Betterfox adopted into Ghostery Dawn](https://web.archive.org/web/20210509171835/https://www.ghostery.com/ghostery-dawn-update-more/)[1](https://web.archive.org/web/20210921114333/https://www.ghostery.com/ghostery-dawn-product-update/)
#### Guides
* [FMHY Browser Tools: Privacy Hardened Firefox](https://www.reddit.com/r/FREEMEDIAHECKYEAH/wiki/storage/#wiki_privacy_hardened_firefox)
* [Firefox-UI-Fix](https://github.com/black7375/Firefox-UI-Fix/wiki/Tips#privacy)
* [Narsil/desktop_user.js](https://git.nixnet.services/Narsil/desktop_user.js#thanks)
* [pyllyukko/user.js](https://github.com/pyllyukko/user.js) [comparator](https://jm42.github.io/compare-user.js/)
#### 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)
## 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.
## Support
Iām a one-person operation, working in mental health and 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:
Bitcoin: 334gaiEjn6wY1VksQvYe5L668JjtPEPyiM
PayPal: [paypal.me](about:blank) (forthcoming)
23 July 2022