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Product Overview: LibreWolf
LibreWolf is a custom, privacy-focused version of the Mozilla Firefox browser, designed to prioritize user privacy, security, and freedom. Here’s a detailed look at what LibreWolf does and its key features.
What is LibreWolf?
LibreWolf is an independent, community-driven project built on the Firefox source code. It is engineered to eliminate the telemetry, tracking, and data collection inherent in standard Firefox installations, providing users with a more secure and private browsing experience.
Key Features
Privacy
- Cookie and Data Management: Automatically deletes cookies and website data on close, and includes features like Cookie AutoDelete to purge tracking cookies after each browsing session.
- Tracking Protection: Includes uBlock Origin with custom filter lists and enables Tracking Protection in strict mode to block trackers and ads. It also strips tracking elements from URLs and uses RFP (Resistance to Fingerprinting) to prevent fingerprinting techniques.
- Location and Device Access: Prevents access to the OS’s location services, using Mozilla’s location API instead, and limits ICE candidates generation during videoconferences. It also disables WebGL and WebRTC by default to prevent IP address leakage.
- User Data Protection: Always displays the user language as `en-US` to protect the language used in the browser and OS, and trims cross-origin referrers to prevent full URI exposure.
Security
- Up-to-Date Security: Stays current with upstream Firefox releases to ensure timely application of security patches.
- HTTPS Enforcement: Enables HTTPS-only mode and stricter TLS/SSL negotiation rules. It also forces user interaction for deciding the download location of files and protects against IDN homograph attacks.
- Additional Security Measures: Disables scripting in the built-in PDF reader, reverts TLS downgrades at the end of each session, and sets OCSP to hard-fail if a certain CA cannot be reached.
Annoyances and Distractions
- Clean Interface: Removes all distracting and sponsored content from the home page, including Pocket extension, Mozilla VPN ads, and extension recommendations. It also disables autoplay of media, search suggestions, and ads in the URL bar.
Performance and Customization
- Performance: LibreWolf leverages Firefox’s performance optimizations while limiting convenience features that could impact speed. It offers performance comparable to or slightly better than Firefox in most scenarios.
- Customization: Inherited from Firefox, LibreWolf provides extensive customization options, allowing users to modify the interface, change default search engines, and install additional add-ons.
Open Source and Community
- Open Source: Completely open source and community driven, allowing anyone to build from source and participate in the development process. It is hosted on Codeberg and has a community presence on Matrix and other platforms.
- No Telemetry: Completely disables telemetry, including crash reports, normandy, studies, and personalized recommendations. LibreWolf does not have the infrastructure to collect any user data.
Additional Functionality
- Content Blocker: Includes uBlock Origin for ad and tracker blocking by default.
- Private Search: Uses privacy-respecting search engines like DuckDuckGo, Searx, and Qwant.
- DRM and Anti-Freedom Features: Disables DRM and other anti-freedom features to enhance user freedom.
- Secure DNS and WebRTC: Forces DNS and WebRTC inside the proxy when one is being used, and disables WebRTC by default to prevent IP leaks.
In summary, LibreWolf is a robust, privacy-focused browser that offers enhanced security, strict tracking protection, and a clean, customizable interface, all while maintaining performance and usability. It is an ideal choice for users who prioritize their online privacy and security.
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