better-safari-macos

My recommendations for the ultimate configuration of the Safari Browser on macOS :)

NOTE: This project can be found on both Codeberg, which will act as the main & preferred way to contribute, and GitHub.

General

Safari opens with: -> A new window

Remove history items: -> After one day

File download location: -> Ask for each download

Remove download list items: -> When Safari quits

Open "safe" files after downloading -> ❌

Tabs

Automatically close tabs: -> After one day

AutoFill

You should not save info in your browser like this for security reasons, use a dedicated password manager like Bitwarden or Proton Pass instead.

AutoFill web forms:

• Using information from my contacts -> ❌

• User names and passwords -> ❌

• Credit cards -> ❌

• Other forms -> ❌

Passwords

Security Recommendations -> Detect Leaked Passwords -> ✅ (This is done locally on device through a list of passwords, Apple doesn't get sent your passwords)

Password Options -> AutoFill Passwords and Passkeys -> ❌

Password Options -> Verification Codes -> Delete After Use -> ✅

Search

Search engine: -> DuckDuckGo

Search engine: -> Also use in Private Browsing -> ✅

Private Browsing search engine: -> DuckDuckGo

Private Browsing search engine: -> Include search engine suggestions -> ❌

Smart Search field: -> Include Safari Suggestions -> ❌

Smart Search field: -> Preload Top Hit in the background -> ❌

Security

Fraudulent sites: -> Warn when visiting a fraudulent site -> ✅ (Should be default)

Web content: -> Enable JavaScript -> ✅ (Should be default, disabling this WILL cause breakage and doesn't appear to be toggable per-site, not worth the trouble IMO)

Privacy

Website tracking: -> Prevent cross-site tracking -> ✅

Hide IP address: -> Hide IP address from trackers -> ✅

Websites

Content Blockers -> When visiting other websites: -> On

Auto-Play -> When visiting other websites: -> Never Auto-Play

Camera -> When visiting other websites: -> Deny (Obviously don't set if you use sites that need camera access, but you can still set exceptions for sites if needed)

Microphone -> When visiting other websites: -> Deny (Obviously don't set if you use sites that need microphone access, but you can still set exceptions for sites if needed)

Screen Sharing -> When visiting other websites: -> Deny (Obviously don't set if you constantly need to screen share on web, but you can still set exceptions for sites if needed)

Location -> When visiting other websites: -> Deny

Downloads -> When visiting other websites: -> Ask

Notifications -> Allow websites to ask for permission to send notifications -> ❌

Pop-up Windows -> When visiting other websites: -> Block and Notify (You could also set to Block if you're annoyed by the notifications)

Advanced

Smart Search field: -> Show full website address -> ✅

Privacy: -> Use advanced tracking and fingerprinting protection -> ✅

Privacy: -> Use advanced tracking and fingerprinting protection -> in all browsing

Privacy: -> Allow websites to check for Apple Pay and Apple Card -> ❌

Privacy: -> Allow privacy-preserving measurement of ad effectiveness -> ❌

Start Page

Settings icon on bottom right:

Frequently Visited -> ❌

Shared With You -> ❌

Recently Closed Tabs -> ❌

Additional recommendations

• Follow my macOS settings here.

• Use a content blocking extension like AdGuard. See my recommended settings here.

• Use a private, secure, & reputable DNS provider of your choice. I would recommend setting up your own NextDNS configuration if you are able to (See my recommendations for NextDNS here), otherwise I would recommend Quad9.

• Enable Lockdown Mode.

• Use a (reputable) VPN. I would generally recommend either Mullvad, IVPN, or ProtonVPN.