arkenfox user.js
A template user.js file that tightens Firefox privacy, security and anti-tracking settings.arkenfox/user.js
- Stars
- 13k
- Forks
- 557
- Licence
- MIT
- Language
- JavaScript
- Last update
- 6 days ago
- Type
- Dev tool
What it is
A user.js is a configuration file that Firefox reads at startup to change its settings. This project provides a large template of such settings aimed at reducing tracking and fingerprinting while improving security. The README says it tries to minimize loss of functionality, but notes that breakage will still happen.
- Harden a desktop Firefox profile by placing the template user.js in it
- Review each setting and remove ones that break sites you need
- Use the interactive configuration page linked in the README to pick current settings
- Read the wiki to understand what individual settings change
Great for
- Desktop Firefox users who want stronger privacy defaults
- People willing to read and adjust a settings file
- Users who want a documented, widely referenced hardening template
- Those who can test sites and revert settings when something breaks
Not ideal for
- People who need sites and extensions to work without any breakage, since the README admits breakage will happen
- Users who need Tor-level anonymity, because the README recommends Tor Browser for that and advises against using Tor over Firefox
- Users of other Gecko-based browsers, since the README says it is made specifically for desktop Firefox and can be counterproductive elsewhere
How to get it
- 1
See the README
You'll need: Desktop Firefox
Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/arkenfox/user.js - 2
Run it
- Download the user.js template from the repository or the latest release
- Read the wiki page on user.js settings before applying it
- Place user.js in your Firefox profile folder and restart Firefox
- Check sites you use for breakage and adjust settings as needed
- 3
Get the most out of it
- Use the interactive configuration page linked in the README to see current release settings
- Read the wiki for explanations of individual settings
- Check the releases and changelogs for updates when Firefox changes
- Follow the stickies and common Q&A issues for known problems and answers
Downloads
Strengths
- Broad, comprehensive template covering privacy, security and anti-tracking
- MIT licensed with a public wiki, changelogs and release history
- Stated goal of balancing hardening against loss of functionality
Trade-offs
- The README says breakage will happen, so some sites or features may stop working
- The README says even experts should read the wiki, so setup requires reading and judgment
- Designed for desktop Firefox only and may be counterproductive in other browsers
How it compares
| Project | Stars | Type | Level | Updated | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| user.js (this) | 13k | Dev tool | intermediate | 6 days ago | Desktop Firefox users who want stronger privacy defaults |
| Betterfox | 11k | Other | beginner | 2 months ago | Firefox users who want privacy-focused defaults without installing extra software |
| RemoveWindowsAI | 13.6k | Dev tool | beginner | 7 days ago | Windows 11 users who want Copilot and Recall removed |
| macOS-Security-and-Privacy-Guide | 22.6k | Learning resource | intermediate | 4 days ago | Mac owners who want a checklist of security and privacy settings to work through |
| web-check | 35.3k | App | intermediate | 4 days ago | Developers checking how a site is configured |
| quivr | 39.6k | Framework | advanced | 4 days ago | Developers building a search or monitoring pipeline over a stream of documents |
Stats synced from GitHub. The assessment above was drafted with AI from the project's README on 2026-10-29 and may miss recent changes — check the README before relying on a command. MIT licence: free to use, modify and distribute, including commercially, as long as you keep the copyright notice.