Protection against web tracker and advertising

Websites on the internet identify and collect information about users by so-called web tracking technology. To track user information, many websites save a small piece of data, embed invisible objects, or use accounts and hardware configuration.

To protect your privacy and security on the internet, various browser tools (Add-ons) exist to identify advertising tracking and other user surveillance technologies that website owners deploy on their sites.

Firefox / Chrome Add-ons

uBlock Origin (For beginners)
uBlock Origin is a free, cross-platform web browser plug-in for filtering web content such as advertising. uBlock is working based on filter lists and out of the box in the blocking mode : easy mode

https://github.com/gorhill/uBlock/wiki/Blocking-mode:-easy-mode

To further reduce advertising and data collecting trackers, the following configuration changes are necessary:

  1. click on uBlock icon and go the Dashboard
  2. switch to the tab : „filterlists“ and add the following checkmarks to:
  • Adblock Warning Removal List („Advertising„)
  • AdGuard Base List („Advertising„)
  • AdGuard Mobile Ads („Advertising„)
  • AdGuard Spyware Filters („Privacy„)
  • Fanboy’s Enchanced Tracking List („Privacy„)
  • DEU: EasyList Germany („Regions, languages„)

uMatrix (For advanced users)
A matrix-based firewall, easy to use with a click of the mouse – and with many extras to protect your privacy.

https://addons.mozilla.org/de/firefox/addon/umatrix/

uBlock and uMatrix together
While uBlock is a great ad/content blocker, uMatrix provides more granular control over web requests than uBlock. If you want to use uBlock and uMatrix together, it is recommended to use uBlock in easy mode. The following article breaks down the necessary configurations to use uBlock and uMatrix together:

https://12bytes.org/articles/tech/firefox/firefoxgecko-configuration-guide-for-privacy-and-performance-buffs/comment-page-10

There are many more tools for web browsers regarding web tracking, privacy and security. I personally use the above mentioned add-ons for a while now and i am very happy with it!

Basic security 101 : rules everyone should adopt

here are some basic security rules everyone should adopt.

Backup of your data:

  • keep regular backups of your data outside of your computer
  • if you wanna put your backup in a cloud, you should encrypt your data before

Software update:

  • keep your operating system, browser, antivirus and other software up-to-date

Strengthen your passwords and guard them:

  • dont use same passwords
  • don’t use trivial passwords, and other info that can be obtained elsewhere
  • use long passwords with mixed case, numerals, and special characters
  • use a password manager

Anti Virus Software

  • protect your computer from virus and malware