Conventional browsers never stop talking to their respective mother ships. The idea is to learn a little more about us in each session, offer tailored offers, and finally make money change hands, but it doesn’t have to be this way. A new browser called Mullvad Browser seeks to minimize our digital footprint, and incorporates several factory settings that block the sending of telemetry.
Browsing with privacy on the Web seems like an impossible goal. Apps, sites and services collect information 24/7... and we all know the situation is not going to improve. One of our main allies to escape this tracking is Tor, although the performance limits on that network remain very important. Another interesting option is I2P, but its technical requirements are higher than usual.
More privacy and “zero telemetry” with Mullvad Browser
One of the most interesting features of Mullvad Browser is that it seeks to reproduce the same digital fingerprint among all its users. Basically, it is about “hiding the tree in the forest”, applying a standardized configuration (which should not be modified). At the same time, all the fingerprint resistance functions that come integrated in Firefox have been activated by default, blocking and/or masking access to certain parameters.
Mullvad Browser also makes private browsing permanent. That means the browser will automatically delete all history and cookies when it closes. The only things it keeps are bookmarks, extension settings, and a minimal cache for some interface elements.
In addition, there is a letterboxing to distort the resolution reported by the browser, three security levels (the highest blocks JavaScript for all sites), a “New Identity” button that works as a reset for the profile, and the blocking of all factory telemetry in Firefox. The only automatic connections of Mullvad Browser are for the browser’s own update, extensions, certificates, and the status of DNS over HTTPS.
Now, all this sounds very good, but Mullvad Browser is not enough by itself. The idea is to combine it with some VPN... and here is when Mullvad offers its own service. Obviously, this step is not mandatory, and the user can choose the VPN they want. The last doubt we have is whether we really need another Firefox spin-off, but Mullvad Browser is very transparent with its modifications, and maybe it deserves a chance.
Official website and download: Click here
