Stop your browser from tracking you: 5 settings to change right now
Intro
Most people start using a new browser without touching a single privacy setting. The defaults are convenient: location access is granted, cookies pile up, and passwords get saved automatically. But convenience comes at a cost. Your browser collects far more information about your habits, location, and interests than you might realize. The good news is that a few simple changes can cut down on most of that data collection without breaking your browsing experience.
A recent article in PCWorld (June 11, 2026) outlined five key settings that everyday users should adjust immediately. Below is a practical walkthrough based on those recommendations, with steps for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari.
What happened
Browser companies have gradually expanded tracking features over the years. Location services, camera and microphone access, third-party cookies, and autofill tools are enabled by default in many browsers. These features help sites deliver personalized ads, remember your login details, and show you content based on your location. But they also expose your device and habits to advertisers, data brokers, and potentially malicious actors. The PCWorld article highlighted that most users are unaware how much data their browser leaks by default.
Why it matters
When your browser shares your location, it can reveal where you live, work, or travel. When it stores tracking cookies, companies build a profile of every site you visit. Saving passwords in the browser sounds convenient, but if someone gains access to your device, they can extract them easily. Camera and microphone permissions can be abused by malicious websites to spy on you. Even “Do Not Track” requests are often ignored. The cumulative effect is a loss of privacy that many people did not explicitly consent to.
What readers can do
Here are the five settings you should change right now, based on the PCWorld guide and common best practices.
1. Turn off location, camera, and microphone by default
In Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Site Settings. Set Location, Camera, and Microphone to “Don’t allow sites to see your location” and “Block” for camera and microphone. In Firefox, navigate to Settings > Privacy & Security > Permissions and uncheck “Warn you when websites try to ask for your location.” Grant access only when a specific site really needs it (e.g., a map you trust, a video call). The same principle applies in Edge (Settings > Cookies and site permissions) and Safari (Preferences > Websites).
2. Block third-party cookies and enable tracking protection
Third-party cookies are the primary tool advertisers use to follow you across different websites. In Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Third-party cookies and select “Block third-party cookies.” Firefox offers a stronger built-in option: under Privacy & Security, choose “Strict” in Enhanced Tracking Protection. Edge has “Tracking prevention” with Basic, Balanced, and Strict levels; set it to Balanced or Strict. Safari blocks third-party cookies by default in recent versions.
3. Disable autofill and manage saved passwords carefully
Autofill saves time but also stores sensitive data. In Chrome, go to Settings > Autofill and disable “Addresses and more” and consider turning off “Payment methods.” For passwords, it is safer to use a dedicated password manager (like Bitwarden, 1Password, or Keepass) rather than the browser’s built-in storage. In Firefox, navigate to Settings > Privacy & Security > Logins and Passwords and uncheck “Autofill logins and passwords.” Edge offers similar options under Profiles > Passwords.
4. Review and change privacy-related browser flags (for advanced users)
Browser flags (or experimental features) can expose even more tracking. In Chrome, type chrome://flags in the address bar. Search for “privacy” or “tracking” and review settings like “Enable privacy sandbox,” “Fledge,” and “Topics API.” These are often enabled by default. However, be cautious: changing flags can affect stability or functionality. Only disable them if you understand the impact. Firefox and Edge have similar experimental pages (about:config and edge://flags). The PCWorld article recommended reviewing flags every few months because updates sometimes reset them.
5. Enable Do Not Track and use secure DNS
Do Not Track is a simple request sent to websites asking them not to track you. It is not enforceable, and many sites ignore it, but enabling it costs nothing. In Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data and toggle “Send a ‘Do Not Track’ request.” Firefox has it under Privacy & Security > Send websites a “Do Not Track” request. Edge and Safari include similar options. More importantly, enable secure DNS (DNS over HTTPS) under Privacy & Security settings in all major browsers. This encrypts your browsing queries, preventing your internet service provider from seeing which sites you visit.
Sources
This guide draws from the PCWorld article “Your browser is too nosy. Change these 5 settings now” (June 11, 2026) and general privacy recommendations from Mozilla, Google, and Microsoft support pages. Remember that no single setting guarantees complete privacy; consider combining these changes with a content blocker like uBlock Origin or Privacy Badger for additional protection. If you are unsure about a particular flag or setting, leave it at default—it is better to skip an advanced tweak than to break your browser.