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I discovered a cool feature in Brave browser: blocking all cookies EXCEPT from certain sites


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2023 Dec 10, 10:03pm   425 views  20 comments

by Patrick   ➕follow (55)   💰tip   ignore  

Open Brave -> Preferences... -> Privacy and security -> Cookies and other site data:



Then click "Block all cookies (not recommended":



Then add in sites you specifically want to allow to use cookies (like patrick.net!) under "Sites that can always use cookies"

That's it.

Now vast numbers of cookie-based trackers are rendered impotent, greatly increasing your privacy while surfing.

It also seems to disable "Service Workers" and "Localstorage", which are other ways that websites can store and report back data about you and your web surfing habits.

Downside: a lot of sites will suddenly not work, showing you a blank page or such. If you really need those sites, you can add them to the sites you specifically want to be able to use cookies.

It's work, but for a paranoid person like me who hates being spied on by The Borg, it's well worth it.

Comments 1 - 20 of 20        Search these comments

1   AmericanKulak   2023 Dec 10, 10:47pm  

Handy, as a brave user I appreciate this.
2   Ingrid   2023 Dec 11, 5:58am  

thank you for the tip, I will save it, but for the moment being, doing online research, it probably is impossible to use it, because all research sites use cookies. I won't get any results LOL
3   NuttBoxer   2023 Dec 11, 6:40am  

Similar approach to how I setup PiHole. Start by blocking all queries with dns in the url, then unblock as we find ones that are really needed. Always avoid using a DNS provider you don't trust/know.
4   Patrick   2023 Dec 11, 11:31am  

I also found out how to disable that damn downloads bar at the bottom of the page. It appears when you download an image or anything else, and then must be dismissed with an extra click.

There is a hidden option: Load brave://flags/ then search for "Enable download bubble" and enable it.

Now instead of the bar across the bottom, you'll get a little bubble which automatically goes away as soon as you do anything else on the page.
5   beershrine   2023 Dec 11, 12:03pm  

I've been testing Brave but find very little info on how to tweek it. Some of the settings I find don't do anything or seem disabled also since it was a chrome built browser I really don't any confidence on any anonymous browsing. At least Mozilla you can tweak reg edit to your liking. I might start using Mint again as it has gotten easy to use. Thanks
6   Patrick   2023 Dec 11, 12:16pm  

There are still a zillion things I want to do with browsers but haven't had the time to figure out yet, eg:

- disable javascript except for certain sites
- failing that, at least disable all js timers which pop up some box which wants you to register
- make the browser cache easily available and configurable so that whatever I surf gets stored under a logical name
7   EBGuy   2023 Dec 11, 1:12pm  

Patrick says


disable javascript except for certain sites


I've used the NoScript extension on Firefox and it has worked well. Supposed to work on Chromium based browsers but glancing on some forums, it may depend on what version of Brave you are on...
Basically it blocks all javascript and you can selectively turn on functionality temporarily or grant permisson permanently.
8   Patrick   2023 Dec 11, 1:22pm  

Thanks @EBGuy

I was going to complain that I never download anything from the Google Chrome Store for security reasons, but they have a direct download and install ability:

https://noscript.net/getit/

So now I've got it and I added patrick.net to its list of trusted sites so I can like your comment!
9   NuttBoxer   2023 Dec 11, 2:29pm  

By default I block all JS, then enable it if the site doesn't work. Not all sites require it.

I will say, the biggest threat to your privacy is associating your real name with your home address. If you've done that with your ISP, the benefit you get from these additional methods is significantly lessened. Also, don't ever reveal your public IP, or use ISP or google DNS. I think those are more foundational levels to start with.
10   Patrick   2023 Dec 11, 2:56pm  

@NuttBoxer How do you pay your ISP bill without a credit card which has your name on it?
11   NuttBoxer   2023 Dec 11, 9:18pm  

Vanilla gift cards usually, although current ISP won't take them. I go in person and pay. They ask me for my ID, I honestly tell them I don't have it(always in my car). They ask me how much to pay, I tell them. My other utilities I can use the cards no problem.
12   Patrick   2023 Dec 11, 9:30pm  

Where do you buy the vanilla gift cards? CVS? Are they just Visa cards that you load cash on?
13   NuttBoxer   2023 Dec 12, 12:16pm  

Visa or Mastercard. Was buying them at Albertson's before, now closest place is a gas station. I tried CVS once, they have a weird rule that they want personal info from you if you load $200 or more. I would avoid CVS.

It will say specifically Vanilla on the card. There's a lot of them, most others require your data. If you want to try others though, start with small amounts to vet the rules.
14   Patrick   2024 Jan 9, 4:20pm  

EBGuy says

NoScript extension


@EBGuy

There is a huge additional advantage to NoScript: you don't see those fucking "This site uses cookies, click here" popups anymore.

So far in my experience, all of them are blocked by NoScript.
15   Patrick   2024 Jan 9, 4:24pm  

NoScript also seems to stop "Service Worker" registrations, something I've been trying to do for a long time.

Service Workers are like little apps that run in your browser whether you want them or not, and even when you're offline. You can see them (in Brave) with this url:

brave://serviceworker-internals/?devtools
16   Patrick   2024 Jan 9, 4:28pm  

An NoScript also seems to have stopped all js timers that create popups. Unless I need js to even view the page.

I'd like to selectively disable the popup that happens when you select some text to copy on a Substack page. I don't know how to do that yet except by manually opening the browser dev tools, finding that hook, and removing it.
17   SunnyvaleCA   2024 Jan 9, 10:42pm  

Patrick says

There are still a zillion things I want to do with browsers but haven't had the time to figure out yet, eg:

- disable javascript except for certain sites
- failing that, at least disable all js timers which pop up some box which wants you to register
- make the browser cache easily available and configurable so that whatever I surf gets stored under a logical name

Have you tried Ghostry? I use than an Adblock Plus on macOS Chrome as my usual browser. Safari is for secure and trusted browsing to sites like my stock broker and bank.

Since Adblock Plus no longer block Youtube ads, I've been using Brave for youtube. I may switch all my non-secure browsing to Brave.
18   NuttBoxer   2024 Jan 10, 6:40am  

I don't see adds watching Youtube on Brave. Although it could be pihole blocking them.
19   Patrick   2024 Jan 10, 9:21am  

Patrick says

NoScript also seems to stop "Service Worker" registrations, something I've been trying to do for a long time.


No, I was wrong about that. Service Workers keep coming back.
20   RWSGFY   2024 Jan 10, 10:19am  

NuttBoxer says

I don't see adds watching Youtube on Brave. Although it could be pihole blocking them.


No, it's the browser. No ads in Brave on PC or Mac either.

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