My recommendations for the ultimate configuration of the Vanadium & Mulch Browsers :)
NOTE: This project can be found on both Codeberg, which will act as the main & preferred way to contribute, and GitHub.
Search engine -> DuckDuckGo ✅
Save passwords -> ❌ (You should not save info in your browser like this for security reasons, use a dedicated password manager like Bitwarden or Proton Pass instead)
Auto Sign-in -> ❌
Save and fill payment methods -> ❌ (You should not save info in your browser like this for security reasons, use a dedicated password manager like Bitwarden or Proton Pass instead)
Manually verify every time you pay using autofill -> ✅
Save and fill addresses -> ❌ (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 Options -> Use other providers ✅
Privacy -> Third-party cookies -> Block third-party cookies ✅ (Should be default)
Privacy -> Third-party cookies -> Block third-party cookies -> Allow related sites to see your activity in the group -> ❌
Privacy -> Close tabs on exit -> ✅
Privacy -> Cross-origin referrer policy -> Disable cross-origin referrer ✅ (If this causes you any issues, you could also set this to Reduce cross-origin referrer)
Privacy -> Improve search suggestions -> ❌
Privacy -> WebRTC IP handling policy -> Disable non-proxied UDP (Don't set this if you have to call on the web through services like Discord & Zoom)
Security -> Safe Browsing -> No protection (not recommended) ❌ (On Android, Safe Browsing requires Google Play Services and as such is proprietary and questionable. As long as you have other protection in place (See secure DNS & Additional recommendations below), then I don't think its worth using here)
Security -> Always use secure connections -> ✅
Security -> Use secure DNS -> ✅
Security -> Use secure DNS -> Choose another provider -> Custom -> Pick 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: https://dns.quad9.net/dns-query (Even if you have a private/secure DNS provider set on your OS/network level, make sure to still set it here too like this, so that you can take advantage of Encrypted Client Hello)
Security -> Access payment methods -> ❌
General -> All "General Notifications -> ✅
General -> Browser -> ❌
General -> Completed downloads -> ✅
General -> Active downloads -> ✅
General -> Incognito -> ✅
General -> Playing media -> ✅
Toolbar shortcut -> New tab
Force enable zoom -> ✅
Simplified view for web pages -> ✅
Permissions -> Location -> Blocked ❌
Permissions -> Camera -> Blocked ❌ (Obviously don't set if you use sites that need camera access, but you can still set exceptions for sites if needed)
Permissions -> Microphone -> Blocked ❌ (Obviously don't set if you use sites that need microphone access, but you can still set exceptions for sites if needed)
Permissions -> Notifications -> Blocked ❌
Permissions -> Embedded content -> Blocked ❌
Permissions -> Motion sensors -> Blocked ❌
Permissions -> NFC devices -> Blocked ❌
Permissions -> USB -> Blocked ❌
Permissions -> Clipboard -> Blocked from reading clipboard ❌
Permissions -> Virtual reality -> Blocked ❌
Permissions -> Augmented reality -> Blocked ❌
Permissions -> Your device use -> Blocked ❌
Content -> JavaScript -> Blocked ❌ (This will cause breakage, but it heavily improves privacy & security, so I'd recommend blocking it if possible and if you're willing to re-enable JavaScript on sites that need it)
Content -> JavaScript JIT -> Blocked ❌ (Should be default)
Content -> Pop-ups and redirects -> Blocked ❌ (Should be default)
Content -> Ads -> Blocked ❌
Content -> Protected content -> Blocked ❌ - https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2017/10/drms-dead-canary-how-we-just-lost-web-what-we-learned-it-and-what-we-need-do-next
Content -> Auto-verify -> Blocked ❌
Content -> Dark theme for sites -> On ✅ (See chrome://flags below)
Content -> Background sync -> Blocked ❌
Ask where to save files -> ✅
Automatically open PDFs -> ❌
#android-open-pdf-inline -> Enabled
#back-forward-cache -> Disabled
#darken-websites-checkbox-in-themes-setting -> Enabled (This will allow you to toggle Dark theme for sites under Site settings above)
#enable-parallel-downloading -> Enabled
-
Use a (reputable) anti-virus if possible, such as Hypatia. NOTE: You should install Hypatia through the DivestOS Official Repo instead of F-Droid's main repo, as it will allow you to receive quicker updates directly from the developer. It's also recommended to use F-Droid Basic as your F-Droid client of choice.
-
Use a (reputable) VPN. I would generally recommend either Mullvad, IVPN, or ProtonVPN.