Ghostery Privacy Browser Discontinued

[AGTDenton]

Not sure if anyone uses this but I typically installed it as my default browser on my VMs.
Was always impressed with its performance and didn't have to install a load of addons because it was all inbuilt into the browser.

https://www.ghostery.com/blog/ghoste...r-discontinued

[Jonj1611]

It seems like a reasonable decision based on the reasons they provided. As with many things created at a particular time, circumstances inevitably evolve over time.

[AGTDenton]

It seems like a reasonable decision based on the reasons they provided. As with many things created at a particular time, circumstances inevitably evolve over time.

Agreed, just a minor inconvenience to go round all my VMs to install another browser.

[Jonj1611]

A hassle for sure

[UseItNow]

Well, that is a shame but valid points, was looking at a couple of new options for browsers on a rebuild and the name popped up!

[AGTDenton]

Well, that is a shame but valid points, was looking at a couple of new options for browsers on a rebuild and the name popped up!

Certainly would have recommended.

For now will just stick with Firefox as my main browser.
I have had a couple of recommendations for IceCat and Librewolf so I may try those on a couple of VMs.

I keep Edge for the rare time my add-ons stop a website from working fully and can't be bothered to work out which one is doing it. Usually when I'm buying something or doing anything on the Microsoft action pack website.

[Saracen999]

Shame. I say that because losing anything privacy-centric is a shame. That said, i didn't actually use it anyway.

Firefox is, IMHO, a decent option provided you spend the time to go through it's settings and de-fang the privacy-invading aspects. Which you can. They do at least give you the option, even if they're disabled by default (or rather, the snooping is enabled by default).

Alternatively, I'd suggest ('cos I use them) Librewolf or Mullvad as options. Both are very privacy-focussed.

I did ditch Edge though. it kept updating itself and seemed to be getting worse and worse (privacy-wise). So .... uninstalled.

And that's my browser arsenal - Firefox, Librewolf and Mullvad.

Oh and Chrome, of course.

I see a few privacy fans choking on their coffee over that last one. And I agree. Chrome is absolutely the epitome of the worst possible browser possible for personal privacy. EXCEPT .... in one specific situation, that being when you HAVE to do something on a Google service, whatever it happens to be, that requires you to be signed-in. Like, dunno, use GMail (maybe work requires it) or log in to Youtube (to upload a video as a creator).

if you are logged in to ANY Google service, you might as well use Chrome, as big-G nows who you are anyway by virtue of, erm .... being logged in.

Just don't EVER log in to a Google service or use you Google iD on any other browser. If you forget and do so, clear cookies.

That's not a recipe for strong privacy protection, by the way. Just a good start. Oh, and if you have to install extension etc, or modify settings, do so to the minimm degree possible. Every tme you install extensions and/or change settings, you make that browser a little more unique.

It's a bit like leaving fingerprints at a chrime scene. If a few million share the same fingerprint, it's not going to help police much in identifying you. Having a browser configured identically to millions of other users won't help Google much to identify you. i mean, they might be able to pick out that a specific PC is being used, but can't tie ict specifically to you, as an individual.or at least, not iover a period of time. You might just be using a friend's PC, or a ibrary one, or a work/school one, or something.

But the more you tweak or customise a browser, you more unique you make the "fingerprint" of that browser. Which is one reason I like Librewolf, etc. I think of it as a pre-'hardened' version of Foirefox (because it is) with the privacy options already set (and most of the intrusion fangs physically removed) and the most essential extensions (like ad-removal) in by default, meaning millions will be using them.

It's not perfect protection. Short of never, ever going online, nothing is. But it's a good, free and easy start. And a lot better than just giving Google (et.al) too easy a time in invading your privacy.