How to Enable Cryptocurrency Mining and Fingerprinting in Firefox 67

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How to Enable Cryptocurrency Mining and Fingerprinting in Firefox 67

If you use Firefox as your web browser and are interested in cryptocurrency, you may want to know how to enable two experimental features that can help you detect and block unwanted mining and tracking of your online activities. In this blog post, we will explain whatcryptocurrency miningand fingerprinting are, how Firefox can help you deal with them, and how to enable the relevant settings in Firefox 67.

Introduction: Cryptocurrency Mining and Fingerprinting

Cryptocurrency mining is the process of using computer resources to validate and record transactions on a blockchain network, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, or Monero. Mining requires solving complex mathematical puzzles, which can consume a lot of energy and slow down other tasks on the same device. Some websites and extensions may use mining scripts without your consent or knowledge, which can lead to higher electricity bills, shorter battery life, and slower performance.

Fingerprinting is the practice of collecting and analyzing various information about your browser and device, such as your screen size, fonts, plugins, and time zone, to create a unique profile that can be used to track you across different websites and sessions. Fingerprinting can be harder to detect and block than cookies or IP addresses, and can be used for various purposes, such as targeted advertising, fraud detection, and censorship evasion.

Part 1: Cryptocurrency Mining Protection

Firefox 67 has a built-in feature called "Cryptominer Blocker" that can detect and block known cryptominers from running on websites or extensions. To enable it, follow these steps:

1. Open Firefox and type "about:config" in the address bar.

2. Click on "Accept the Risk and Continue" if prompted.

3. Search for "miner" in the search bar.

4. Double-click on "dom.mining.enabled" to set it to false.

5. Double-click on "privacy.trackingprotection.cryptomining.enabled" to set it to true.

These settings will prevent websites and extensions from using your device's resources for mining, without breaking their functionality or harming your privacy. You can also see a notification in the address bar if a website or extension attempts to run a cryptominer, and choose to allow or block it.

Part 2: Fingerprinting Protection

Firefox 67 also has a built-in feature called "Fingerprinting Protection" that can block certain types of fingerprinting techniques from collecting your data. To enable it, follow these steps:

1. Open Firefox and click on the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the upper right corner.

2. Click on "Options" or "Preferences" (depending on your version).

3. Click on "Privacy & Security" in the left sidebar.

4. Scroll down to the "Content Blocking" section.

5. Click on "Custom" under "Trackers".

6. Check the box for "Fingerprinters" under "Advanced Tracking Protection".

These settings will limit the amount of information that websites and extensions can collect from your browser and device, and reduce your exposure to fingerprinting attacks. However, some fingerprinting techniques may still work, and some websites may break or behave differently when blocked. You can also see a shield icon in the address bar that indicates whether the current website is using trackers or not.

Conclusion: Cryptocurrency and Privacy Tips

By enabling the Cryptominer Blocker and Fingerprinting Protection features in Firefox 67, you can enhance your security and privacy while browsing the web, especially if you are concerned about cryptocurrency mining and tracking. However, these features are not foolproof and may not work for every case or threat. Therefore, you should also consider other measures, such as using ad blockers, VPNs, encrypted messaging apps, and secure wallets, to protect your digital assets and personal data.

When investing in cryptocurrency, you should also be aware of the risks and opportunities involved, and do your own research and due diligence before making any decisions. Some factors to consider include the market trends, the project's team, the technology's scalability and security, the regulatory environment, and the liquidity and volatility of the tokens. You should also diversify your portfolio, set realistic goals and limits, and avoid emotional or impulsive trading. By following these guidelines, you can improve your chances of success and minimize your losses in the dynamic world of cryptocurrency.