How to Use Brave Browser for Maximum Privacy

Configure Brave browser's privacy settings, enable Shields, block trackers, and secure your browsing with built-in privacy tools.

1. Enable Brave Shields in the address bar. Click the Brave Shields icon (lion logo) in the address bar on any website. Toggle Shields to 'Up' if not already enabled. This blocks ads, trackers, and malicious scripts automatically. The counter shows how many items Brave blocked on the current page.
2. Configure global privacy settings. Open Settings by clicking the hamburger menu → Settings. Navigate to Privacy and Security → Shields. Set Trackers & ads blocking to 'Aggressive', Upgrade connections to HTTPS to 'Enabled', and Block Scripts to 'Enabled'. Enable Block fingerprinting for maximum privacy.
3. Disable WebRTC to prevent IP leaks. In Settings, go to Privacy and Security → Web3. Disable 'IP handling policy' or set it to 'Disable non-proxied UDP'. This prevents websites from detecting your real IP address through WebRTC, which can bypass VPN protection.
4. Enable private search with Brave Search. In Settings, navigate to Search engine. Set Brave Search as your default search engine. Brave Search doesn't track users or build profiles. Alternatively, select DuckDuckGo for another privacy-focused option.
5. Configure cookie and site data settings. Go to Settings → Privacy and Security → Cookies and other site data. Select 'Block third-party cookies' or 'Block all cookies' for maximum privacy. Enable 'Clear cookies and site data when you close all windows' to automatically clean browsing data.
6. Use Private Windows with Tor. Press Ctrl+Shift+N (Cmd+Shift+N on Mac) and select 'New private window with Tor'. This routes your traffic through the Tor network for maximum anonymity. Your connection appears to come from a random exit node location.
7. Review and manage site permissions. In Settings, go to Privacy and Security → Site Settings. Review permissions for Location, Camera, Microphone, and Notifications. Set these to 'Ask before accessing' or 'Blocked' to prevent automatic access to sensitive hardware and data.