Mozilla has released Firefox 69, with new security features to protect your privacy online and prevent advertisers from stealing it from the web.
Firefox Advanced Tracking Protection, which first appeared in October as an optional setting, is now enabled by default for all desktop and Android users. This works by blocking third-party tracking cookies, which monitor your activity as you move between sites.
Over time, this data can be used to create a unique profile, which can then be sold or shared (often without your knowledge or consent).
According to Mozilla, more than 20% of users have already chosen to enable advanced tracking protection, but the feature will now be enabled for everyone unless they opt out. You'll know it's working when you see a little blue shield icon in the address bar.
disadvantage of minors
Advanced Tracking Protection isn't the only new security technology enabled by default in Firefox 69: Cryptocurrency miners are now blocked as standard, too.
Minors steal your device resources without your permission when you visit an infected site and use them to mine cryptocurrency from its creators without your permission. Mozilla introduced a tool to block them in May and it's now part of the browser's default settings.
Mozilla also launched anti-fingerprinting technology in May, which prevents advertisers using your device's unique hardware configuration from tracking you across the web. You have not yet chosen to enable this option, but you can enable it by changing your browser's privacy and security settings to "Strict."