# Browser Privacy Setup Guides

> Canonical HTML: https://www.vpnhive.com/tools/browser-privacy/

Published: .

Choose your browser and device, follow each step and check the result. Completion is your own record, not an automatic scan. Settings vary by browser version; use the official documentation if a label differs. Ask the administrator before changing a managed device.

## Block third-party cookies in Chrome on a computer

Reduce cross-site cookie tracking. Keep normal sign-in cookies, then check that your usual sites still work.

1.  ### Open Chrome settings
    
    Click the three-dot menu at the top right, then Settings.
    
    **Expected:** A Settings tab opens with a list on the left.
    
    **Undo:** Close the tab; nothing has changed yet.
    
2.  ### Go to Privacy and security
    
    Choose Privacy and security, then Third-party cookies.
    
    **Expected:** You see options for how third-party cookies are handled.
    
    **Undo:** If you cannot find it, use the search box at the top of Settings and type "cookies". If your device is managed by work or school, some settings may be locked; ask your administrator instead of trying to override them.
    
3.  ### Block third-party cookies
    
    Select Block third-party cookies.
    
    **Expected:** The option is selected. Your existing sign-ins remain.
    
    **Undo:** Select your previous option to return to how it was.
    
4.  ### Test the sites you rely on
    
    Open one site you sign in to, play a short video, and go to a shop's checkout page without paying. Reload each once.
    
    **Expected:** Sign-in, playback and the checkout page work as before.
    
    **Undo:** If one site breaks, undo only the last change you made, or add an exception for that one site. Do not switch off all protection, and do not clear all cookies by default — that signs you out everywhere. In Chrome you can allow cookies for one site from the same Third-party cookies page under sites allowed to use third-party cookies.
    

[Google Chrome Help: Delete, allow and manage cookies](https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95647?hl=en) — checked 2026-11-01

## Block third-party cookies in Chrome on Android

The same cookie setting as desktop, found under Site settings on your phone.

1.  ### Open Chrome settings
    
    In Chrome, tap the three-dot menu at the top right, then Settings.
    
    **Expected:** The Settings list opens.
    
    **Undo:** Tap back; nothing has changed yet.
    
2.  ### Open Site settings
    
    Tap Site settings, then Third-party cookies.
    
    **Expected:** You see the third-party cookie options.
    
    **Undo:** Older versions may label this Cookies. If your device is managed by work or school, some settings may be locked; ask your administrator instead of trying to override them.
    
3.  ### Block third-party cookies
    
    Select Block third-party cookies.
    
    **Expected:** The option is selected.
    
    **Undo:** Select your previous option to restore it.
    
4.  ### Test the sites you rely on
    
    Open one site you sign in to, play a short video, and go to a shop's checkout page without paying. Reload each once.
    
    **Expected:** Sign-in, playback and the checkout page work as before.
    
    **Undo:** If one site breaks, undo only the last change you made, or add an exception for that one site. Do not switch off all protection, and do not clear all cookies by default — that signs you out everywhere.
    

[Google Chrome Help (Android): Delete, allow and manage cookies](https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95647?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid) — checked 2026-11-01

## Check Enhanced Tracking Protection in Firefox

Firefox blocks many trackers already. Confirm it is on, and pick Standard or Strict.

1.  ### Open Firefox settings
    
    Click the menu button (three lines) at the top right, then Settings.
    
    **Expected:** A Settings tab opens.
    
    **Undo:** Close the tab; nothing has changed yet.
    
2.  ### Go to Privacy & Security
    
    Choose Privacy & Security on the left and find Enhanced Tracking Protection.
    
    **Expected:** You see Standard, Strict and Custom.
    
    **Undo:** If your device is managed by work or school, some settings may be locked; ask your administrator instead of trying to override them.
    
3.  ### Choose Standard or Strict
    
    Standard suits most people. Choose Strict if you accept that a few sites may break.
    
    **Expected:** Firefox asks you to reload tabs; the choice is now selected.
    
    **Undo:** Select Standard again to go back to the default.
    
4.  ### Test the sites you rely on
    
    Open one site you sign in to, play a short video, and go to a shop's checkout page without paying. Reload each once.
    
    **Expected:** Sign-in, playback and the checkout page work as before.
    
    **Undo:** If one site breaks, undo only the last change you made, or add an exception for that one site. Do not switch off all protection, and do not clear all cookies by default — that signs you out everywhere. For one broken site, click the shield icon in the address bar and turn protection off for that site only.
    

[Mozilla Support: Enhanced Tracking Protection in Firefox for desktop](https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/enhanced-tracking-protection-firefox-desktop) — checked 2026-11-01

## Check Enhanced Tracking Protection in Firefox on Android

Confirm protection is on and choose how strict it should be.

1.  ### Open Firefox settings
    
    Tap the three-dot menu, then Settings.
    
    **Expected:** The Settings list opens.
    
    **Undo:** Tap back; nothing has changed yet.
    
2.  ### Open Enhanced Tracking Protection
    
    Tap Enhanced Tracking Protection.
    
    **Expected:** A switch and Standard, Strict and Custom options appear.
    
    **Undo:** If your device is managed by work or school, some settings may be locked; ask your administrator instead of trying to override them.
    
3.  ### Turn it on and choose a level
    
    Make sure the switch is on, then choose Standard or Strict.
    
    **Expected:** The level you picked is selected.
    
    **Undo:** Choose Standard again to restore the default.
    
4.  ### Test the sites you rely on
    
    Open one site you sign in to, play a short video, and go to a shop's checkout page without paying. Reload each once.
    
    **Expected:** Sign-in, playback and the checkout page work as before.
    
    **Undo:** If one site breaks, undo only the last change you made, or add an exception for that one site. Do not switch off all protection, and do not clear all cookies by default — that signs you out everywhere. For one broken site, tap the shield icon in the address bar and turn protection off for that site only.
    

[Mozilla Support: Enhanced Tracking Protection in Firefox for Android](https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/enhanced-tracking-protection-firefox-android) — checked 2026-11-01

## Prevent cross-site tracking in Safari on a Mac

One checkbox stops trackers from following you across websites.

1.  ### Open Safari settings
    
    In Safari, choose Safari > Settings from the menu bar (older macOS: Preferences).
    
    **Expected:** The settings window opens.
    
    **Undo:** Close the window; nothing has changed yet.
    
2.  ### Open the Privacy tab
    
    Click Privacy.
    
    **Expected:** You see Prevent cross-site tracking.
    
    **Undo:** If your device is managed by work or school, some settings may be locked; ask your administrator instead of trying to override them.
    
3.  ### Turn on Prevent cross-site tracking
    
    Tick Prevent cross-site tracking. While you are in Security, keep fraudulent website warnings switched on.
    
    **Expected:** The box is ticked.
    
    **Undo:** Untick the box to return to how it was.
    
4.  ### Test the sites you rely on
    
    Open one site you sign in to, play a short video, and go to a shop's checkout page without paying. Reload each once.
    
    **Expected:** Sign-in, playback and the checkout page work as before.
    
    **Undo:** If one site breaks, undo only the last change you made, or add an exception for that one site. Do not switch off all protection, and do not clear all cookies by default — that signs you out everywhere.
    

[Apple Support: Prevent cross-site tracking in Safari on Mac](https://support.apple.com/guide/safari/prevent-cross-site-tracking-sfri40732/mac) — checked 2026-11-01

## Prevent cross-site tracking in Safari on iPhone and iPad

The setting lives in the Settings app, not inside Safari itself.

1.  ### Open the Settings app
    
    Open Settings, then Apps, then Safari. On older iOS, go straight to Settings > Safari.
    
    **Expected:** Safari's settings appear.
    
    **Undo:** Go back; nothing has changed yet.
    
2.  ### Find Privacy & Security
    
    Scroll to Privacy & Security.
    
    **Expected:** You see Prevent Cross-Site Tracking.
    
    **Undo:** If your device is managed by work or school, some settings may be locked; ask your administrator instead of trying to override them.
    
3.  ### Turn on Prevent Cross-Site Tracking
    
    Switch on Prevent Cross-Site Tracking. Keep Fraudulent Website Warning switched on.
    
    **Expected:** The switch is on.
    
    **Undo:** Switch it off to return to how it was.
    
4.  ### Test the sites you rely on
    
    Open one site you sign in to, play a short video, and go to a shop's checkout page without paying. Reload each once.
    
    **Expected:** Sign-in, playback and the checkout page work as before.
    
    **Undo:** If one site breaks, undo only the last change you made, or add an exception for that one site. Do not switch off all protection, and do not clear all cookies by default — that signs you out everywhere.
    

[Apple Support: Browse privately in Safari on iPhone](https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/browse-privately-iphb01fc3c85/ios) — checked 2026-11-01

## Set tracking prevention in Microsoft Edge

Choose Balanced or Strict, and add exceptions only for sites that break.

1.  ### Open Edge settings
    
    Click the three-dot menu at the top right, then Settings.
    
    **Expected:** A Settings tab opens.
    
    **Undo:** Close the tab; nothing has changed yet.
    
2.  ### Go to Privacy, search and services
    
    Choose Privacy, search and services and find Tracking prevention.
    
    **Expected:** You see Basic, Balanced and Strict.
    
    **Undo:** If your device is managed by work or school, some settings may be locked; ask your administrator instead of trying to override them.
    
3.  ### Choose Balanced or Strict
    
    Make sure Tracking prevention is on. Balanced suits most people; Strict blocks more but may break some sites.
    
    **Expected:** Your choice is highlighted.
    
    **Undo:** Select Balanced again to restore the default.
    
4.  ### Test the sites you rely on
    
    Open one site you sign in to, play a short video, and go to a shop's checkout page without paying. Reload each once.
    
    **Expected:** Sign-in, playback and the checkout page work as before.
    
    **Undo:** If one site breaks, undo only the last change you made, or add an exception for that one site. Do not switch off all protection, and do not clear all cookies by default — that signs you out everywhere. Edge lets you add a site under Exceptions on the same page instead of lowering protection everywhere.
    

[Microsoft Support: Learn about tracking prevention in Microsoft Edge](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/edge/learn-about-tracking-prevention-in-microsoft-edge) — checked 2026-11-01

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