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LibreWolf: Browser focused on privacy, security and freedom

LibreWolf is an open-source project built on Mozilla Firefox, designed to address concerns about data collection and user tracking.

Unlike Firefox, LibreWolf strips away all telemetry components and data collection features, optimizing for a more private and secure browsing experience. Although its developers aren't directly affiliated with Mozilla, they've maintained compatibility with most Firefox extensions.

License

LibreWolf operates under the MPL 2.0 license, the same one used by Mozilla for Firefox.

This license allows users to inspect, modify, and distribute the source code, subject to certain restrictions.

By doing so, it ensures that the browser's code remains open and free, fostering a vibrant community of developers and users.

Privacy

LibreWolf takes a hardline approach to protecting user privacy:

  • Total telemetry elimination: It doesn't send any usage data to Mozilla or third-party servers.
  • Tracker blocking: uBlock Origin is pre-installed and enabled by default.
  • Fingerprinting protection:
    • It implements RFP (Resist Fingerprinting) from the Tor Uplift project.
    • Features like WebGL and IPv6, which facilitate tracking, are disabled.
  • Automatic cleaning: Cookies, cache, and site data are deleted when you close the browser.
  • Private search engines: DuckDuckGo, Searx, or Qwant are used by default.
  • No DRM: Digital rights management is disabled.

Security

The browser incorporates advanced security features:

  • Fast updates: It inherits the latest security patches from Firefox.
  • HTTPS-only mode: Secure connections are enforced.
  • Strict TLS/SSL rules
  • Disabling risky features:
    • WebGL is disabled by default.
    • Scripting is disabled in the PDF reader.
  • Extension firewall: Network connections from extensions are restricted.

As with any solution that prioritizes privacy and security, LibreWolf requires some trade-offs in terms of convenience:

  • Updates aren't automatic; you'll need to install them manually or use a package manager.
  • There may be compatibility issues with websites that rely on DRM or WebGL.
  • Services like Netflix might not work properly.