What is this?
Betterfox is a curated user.js file of about:config tweaks that makes Firefox more private, secure, and performant without installing third-party code.
Betterfox is a curated user.js file of about:config tweaks that makes Firefox more private, secure, and performant without installing third-party code.Is this an extension or just a settings file?It is just a plain-text configuration file (user.js) that overrides Firefox's internal settings, not a browser extension or add-on.
It is just a plain-text configuration file (user.js) that overrides Firefox's internal settings, not a browser extension or add-on.Do I need anything else besides Firefox?No extra software is required to apply the tweaks, but it's recommended to create a backup profile first and pair it with an ad blocker like uBlock Origin plus a DNS-level protection service afterward.
No extra software is required to apply the tweaks, but it's recommended to create a backup profile first and pair it with an ad blocker like uBlock Origin plus a DNS-level protection service afterward.Will this break websites I use?The goal is privacy without site breakage, but you're expected to review the Common Overrides and Optional Hardening sections and make changes as needed for your use case.
The goal is privacy without site breakage, but you're expected to review the Common Overrides and Optional Hardening sections and make changes as needed for your use case.Does it work on Firefox forks too?It's built for Firefox itself, but Firefox-based forks (Zen, Waterfox, Floorp, etc.) can also apply the file, though the author recommends applying it directly rather than relying on a fork's built-in version since forks often modify it in ways that reduce effectiveness.
It's built for Firefox itself, but Firefox-based forks (Zen, Waterfox, Floorp, etc.) can also apply the file, though the author recommends applying it directly rather than relying on a fork's built-in version since forks often modify it in ways that reduce effectiveness.What's the philosophy behind the privacy tweaks?Betterfox follows the law of diminishing returns and minimum effective dose, aiming to protect user data without causing site breakage rather than maximum lockdown.
Betterfox follows the law of diminishing returns and minimum effective dose, aiming to protect user data without causing site breakage rather than maximum lockdown.What are Securefox, Peskyfox, and Smoothfox?They are the three guides that make up Betterfox: Securefox protects user data without breaking sites, Peskyfox gives a clean distraction-free browsing experience, and Smoothfox (optional) adds Edge-like smooth scrolling.
They are the three guides that make up Betterfox: Securefox protects user data without breaking sites, Peskyfox gives a clean distraction-free browsing experience, and Smoothfox (optional) adds Edge-like smooth scrolling.Is it kept up to date with new Firefox versions?Yes, it is actively updated for new Firefox releases, for example a version tailored for Firefox 153 ESR was recently announced.
Yes, it is actively updated for new Firefox releases, for example a version tailored for Firefox 153 ESR was recently announced.Is there an automated install option?Yes, an install.py script was added in version 131 for advanced users who prefer scripted installation over manually moving the file.
Yes, an install.py script was added in version 131 for advanced users who prefer scripted installation over manually moving the file.What are similar projects?user.js, desktop, firefox-ios, helium, pdf.js, Angelic-Angel, quicklink, SU_IMD
user.js, desktop, firefox-ios, helium, pdf.js, Angelic-Angel, quicklink, SU_IMDWhich topics is it in?web-browser, anti-tracking, mozilla, speed, tracking, firefox, self-hosting, configuration, privacy-tools, customization, browser, performance
web-browser, anti-tracking, mozilla, speed, tracking, firefox, self-hosting, configuration, privacy-tools, customization, browser, performance