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Very simple way to improve your privacy and security massively. (sh.itjust.works)

submitted 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) by ModerateImprovement@sh.itjust.works to c/privacy@lemmy.ml

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I highly recommend disabling JavaScript by default in your browser and then whitelisting the websites that you use frequently and need JavaScript to function.

The privacy benefit of this is that when you read articles online or visit new websites, most of the time it will not need JavaScript to function which will stop loading a lot of ads and tracking scripts.

The security benefit here is massive, first if you visited a bad link that contains a malware that is dependent on JavaScript it would not work, secondly if you visited a link for a service that you use and JavaScript did not work there, then you can see in real time that this is a fake page and not the real websitewebsite you intended to visit.

Bonus tip: try to replace the unnecessary websites that can't work without JavaScript and you need by JavaScript free websites or open source apps.

Disclaimer: Stay cautious. This recommendation will improve your privacy and security, but it does not protect you from everything.

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[-] Emotet@slrpnk.net 102 points 5 months ago

15-20 years ago, I'd have agreed with you. But apart from a select few news sites and exceedingly rare static sites, what percentage of websites most users use day to day actually function even minimally without JavaScript?

I'm convinced that in practice, most users would be conditioned to whitelist pretty much every site they visit due to all the breakage. Still a privacy and security improvement, but a massive one? I'm not sure.

Very happy to be convinced otherwise.

[-] ModerateImprovement@sh.itjust.works 6 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

I had been doing this since long time and I am super comfortable with this as most of the websites that I come across does not need JavaScript to function.

Even for the websites that need JavaScript and I need them, I try to replace them with open source apps and clients.

You can list the websites you use and require JavaScript and I can give you alternatives if you want.

Happy to help you.

[-] Emotet@slrpnk.net 8 points 5 months ago

It's great that it works for you and that you strive to spread your knowledge. Personally, I'm quite happy with my DNS filtering/uBlock Origin and restrictive browser approach and already employ alternatives where feasible in my custom use case.

Thanks for your offer, though!

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this post was submitted on 11 Aug 2024

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Privacy

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