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Tracking protection problem

Enhanced tracking protection always on no matter how many times I enable "standard protection". Clicking shield to change status doesn't take either. Sites do not recognize me.

Enhanced tracking protection always on no matter how many times I enable "standard protection". Clicking shield to change status doesn't take either. Sites do not recognize me.

All Replies (3)

Hi jpicci2627, if you want to turn off certain parts of Enhanced Tracking Protection, try the "Custom" setting with individual checkboxes for the different types of blocking.

When you say --

Sites do not recognize me.

-- do you mean when you have closed out of Firefox and started a new session? Usually sites remember you from one session to the next by storing a persistent cookie. So perhaps cookies are getting cleared either by a built-in feature, an add-on, or an external "cleaning" program. More details if this is the scenario.

If sites are not recognizing you at some other time or in some other way, can you describe that in more detail?

I have used the custom setting n times. I have used the standard setting n times. I have clicked on the shield and individually turned enhanced protection off. Nothing takes. Libby forgets my account as soon as I close it. Hotmail doesn't work properly. Many other sites don't work properly. This all began when I took stupid advice and used "custom" setting to increase protection. I can't turn it off.

Do you recall changing any other settings related to history or cookies? Please take a look on the Options page here:

  • Windows: "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Options
  • Mac: "3-bar" menu button (or Firefox menu) > Preferences
  • Linux: "3-bar" menu button (or Edit menu) > Preferences
  • Any system: type or paste about:preferences into the address bar and press Enter/Return to load it

In the left column, click Privacy & Security. Then:

(1)

Scroll down to the History section. Either of these will invoke automatic private browsing:

  • Firefox will: Never remember history
  • Firefox will: Use custom settings for history + "Always use private browsing mode"

If you use automatic private browsing, the first step is to switch back to normal browsing by choosing either:

  • Firefox will: Remember history
  • With custom settings, uncheck the box for "Always use private browsing mode"

Note: Firefox needs to restart after this change.

(2)

With the selector set to "Firefox will: Use custom settings for history" make sure you do NOT have a checkmark for "Clear history when Firefox closes".

If you want to use that feature with some types of data, use the Settings button to the right of it to confirm that Cookies, Site Preferences, and Offline Website Data are not being cleared.

(3)

Scroll up to the Cookies and Site Data section.

Make sure you do NOT have a checkmark for "Delete cookies and site data when Firefox is closed". If you do, you need to create "Allow" exceptions for sites where you want Firefox to accept persistent cookies.


Add-ons also can affect cookies, so if sites still cannot remember you after the above changes, we would consider those next.