{"id":9221,"date":"2009-08-14T19:00:52","date_gmt":"2009-08-14T13:30:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/?p=9221"},"modified":"2026-10-12T19:34:34","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T14:04:34","slug":"secure-web-browsing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/08\/secure-web-browsing\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Firefox Security Add-ons for Safer Browsing (2026)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>In 2009 guest author Mary Ward recommended seven add-ons to secure Firefox, including Adblock Plus, NoScript, WOT and RoboForm. Some, like NoScript, are still going strong; others have been replaced by better tools or built-in Firefox features. Here are the best <strong>Firefox security add-ons<\/strong> for 2026, plus the settings that matter most.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-64834\" src=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/firefox-security-add-ons-1024x538.webp\" alt=\"Firefox security add-ons\" width=\"1024\" height=\"538\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/firefox-security-add-ons-1024x538.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/firefox-security-add-ons-300x158.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/firefox-security-add-ons-150x79.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/firefox-security-add-ons-768x403.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/firefox-security-add-ons.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Quick answer:<\/strong> For most people, install uBlock Origin (blocks ads, trackers and malicious domains), a password manager like Bitwarden, and Firefox Multi-Account Containers to isolate sites. Add Privacy Badger for extra tracker blocking and NoScript if you want strict script control. Then turn on HTTPS-Only Mode and Strict Enhanced Tracking Protection.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_89 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6af1fd438cec0\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6af1fd438cec0\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/08\/secure-web-browsing\/#Best_Firefox_security_add-ons\" >Best Firefox security add-ons<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/08\/secure-web-browsing\/#Old_add-ons_you_no_longer_need\" >Old add-ons you no longer need<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/08\/secure-web-browsing\/#Built-in_Firefox_security_settings\" >Built-in Firefox security settings<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/08\/secure-web-browsing\/#Install_add-ons_safely\" >Install add-ons safely<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/08\/secure-web-browsing\/#FAQ\" >FAQ<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/08\/secure-web-browsing\/#Do_I_need_antivirus_add-ons_for_Firefox\" >Do I need antivirus add-ons for Firefox?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/08\/secure-web-browsing\/#Does_uBlock_Origin_still_work_in_Firefox\" >Does uBlock Origin still work in Firefox?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/08\/secure-web-browsing\/#Can_add-ons_themselves_be_risky\" >Can add-ons themselves be risky?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Best_Firefox_security_add-ons\"><\/span>Best Firefox security add-ons<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/addons.mozilla.org\/firefox\/addon\/ublock-origin\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">uBlock Origin<\/a>: efficient blocker for ads, trackers and known malware domains.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Privacy Badger:<\/strong> from the EFF, learns to block invisible trackers.<\/li>\n<li><strong>NoScript:<\/strong> blocks scripts by default and lets you allow trusted sites; powerful but needs tweaking.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Bitwarden:<\/strong> open source password manager with strong password generation and autofill.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Firefox Multi-Account Containers:<\/strong> keeps banking, shopping and social sites in separate containers.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Firefox Relay:<\/strong> email masks so your real address isn&#8217;t shared.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Old_add-ons_you_no_longer_need\"><\/span>Old add-ons you no longer need<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>BetterPrivacy, Stealther:<\/strong> discontinued; private windows and built-in cookie controls cover them.<\/li>\n<li><strong>WOT:<\/strong> faced privacy criticism in 2016; rely on Firefox&#8217;s built-in phishing and malware protection instead.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Toolbar password managers:<\/strong> use modern password manager extensions or Firefox&#8217;s own; see how to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2005\/04\/save-yahoo-hotmail-passwords-in-firefox\/\">save passwords in Firefox<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Built-in_Firefox_security_settings\"><\/span>Built-in Firefox security settings<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>Settings &gt; Privacy &amp; Security &gt; <strong>HTTPS-Only Mode<\/strong> in all windows.<\/li>\n<li>Enhanced Tracking Protection: <strong>Strict<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Keep &#8220;Block dangerous and deceptive content&#8221; on.<\/li>\n<li>Turn on DNS over HTTPS for privacy on public networks.<\/li>\n<li>Keep Firefox updated automatically.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Install_add-ons_safely\"><\/span>Install add-ons safely<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Only install from addons.mozilla.org, prefer &#8220;Recommended&#8221; extensions, and check permissions. Too many add-ons can slow Firefox; see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2004\/12\/quick-tip-to-speed-up-firefox\/\">how to speed up Firefox<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><em>Originally written by guest author Mary Ward. Updated for 2026 by QuickOnlineTips.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQ\"><\/span>FAQ<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_I_need_antivirus_add-ons_for_Firefox\"><\/span>Do I need antivirus add-ons for Firefox?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>No. Use your system&#8217;s antivirus plus Firefox&#8217;s built-in protection.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_uBlock_Origin_still_work_in_Firefox\"><\/span>Does uBlock Origin still work in Firefox?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes, the full version remains available for Firefox.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_add-ons_themselves_be_risky\"><\/span>Can add-ons themselves be risky?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes. Install only well-reviewed extensions and remove ones you don&#8217;t use.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In 2009 guest author Mary Ward recommended seven add-ons to secure Firefox, including Adblock Plus, NoScript, WOT and RoboForm. Some,&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":64834,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[44],"class_list":["post-9221","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-security","tag-guest-posts"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9221","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9221"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9221\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":64835,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9221\/revisions\/64835"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/64834"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9221"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9221"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9221"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}