Should I Use Tracking Blocking in Microsoft Edge?

Several trackers track your activities as you browse online. Many scripts are loaded alongside websites that love nothing more than to track you and monitor your browsing activity. Usually the goal is to target you with personalized ads. But you never know what else they do with that data.

That’s why the built-in Anti-Tracking functionality in the Chromium version of Microsoft Edge is very useful. It has three protection levels (Basic, Balanced and Strict) that can help you block web trackers and malicious scripts online.

But what level of Tracking Prevention works best? Should you use it in the first place? Why not just install a content blocking extension instead? Let’s find the answers to these questions below.

Multiple Tracking Prevention Levels

Tracking Prevention is baked into Microsoft Edge Chromium on both PC and Mac. You can also find it in mobile versions of Microsoft Edge (iOS and Android). And it has three separate levels (Basic, Balanced and Solid) that you can easily switch between.

Basis

The basic setting does not block ads, analytics or social trackers on websites; it’s a treat if you don’t mind personalized ads. Let’s say you are searching for something and related ads pop up on the websites you visit. This won’t stop them.

But it will stop malicious scripts in their tracks. Sketchy sites often run malicious code that uses your device’s resources to mine cryptocurrencies. Not only do they slow down your web browsing, they also take a toll on battery life. Basic tuning helps prevent this. It also blocks fingerprint scripts that use device-specific information to track you.

Balanced

Balanced is the default Tracking Blocking setting used by Microsoft Edge Chromium. If personalized ads scare you, this setting will give you a lot. It blocks most ad trackers instantly, so for example, you won’t see the toaster you just searched for on Google popping up in ads everywhere!

Its Balanced setting also does a good job of avoiding the negative impact of tracking prevention. It doesn’t block trackers that are essential to a site’s functionality so you don’t get caught in broken site elements.

Tight

The Strict Tracking Prevention setting blocks almost all trackers that load alongside websites. Yes – even those necessary for a site to function properly. Don’t worry – most of the sites will still look good. But expect weird quirks like flawed social media plugins or embedded videos not playing properly.

Anti-Tracking isn’t advertised as an ad-blocker, but its Strict setting helps it load fewer ads, possibly due to the lack of third-party trackers.

The strict level even improves site performance; This is possible because most viewers (advertising, analytics, social, etc.) are not allowed to use any system resources. This also applies to the Balanced setting, but to a lesser extent.

What Level of Tracking Prevention Works Best?

Depends on what you want. If you prefer personalized ads without exposure to cryptominers and violating fingerprints, Basic Tracking Prevention should work like a charm.

But if you hate personalized ads, use the Balanced setting. It strikes a good balance (no pun intended) to protect your privacy while allowing sites to pay their bills. It is also the default setting and level recommended by Microsoft.

Choose Strict if you’re extremely privacy conscious and don’t mind a few sites getting corrupted in the process. It also blocks most ads. However, you can always use the built-in Exceptions list to add sites that you support or trust or that are broken.

Should I Use Tracking Prevention?

There’s no reason why you shouldn’t. You should at least use Basic Tracking Prevention as it prevents dangerous tracking scripts and malicious code from running on your desktop or mobile device.

If you’ve thought about it for a few seconds, you can always check Tracking Prevention in action by clicking the padlock-shaped icon in the address bar and then hovering over Trackers. Also, a large number of blocked trackers will be listed, which will vary depending on the Tracking Prevention level used.

Fly: You can also disable Tracking Blocking for a site via the padlock menu; this is useful when using the Strict Tracking Prevention level.

But the idea is that these trackers will become common if left unblocked. If your privacy is important, you should use Tracking Prevention.

Changing Tracking Prevention Levels

Tracking Prevention is enabled in Microsoft Edge by default. And it uses the Balanced setting. If you want to switch to a different level, access the list of exceptions, or turn off the function completely (not recommended), here’s how to find the Tracking Prevention settings on your desktop or mobile phone.

Windows/macOS

Stage 1: Open the Edge menu and then click on Settings.

Step 2: Switch to the Privacy and Services tab.

Stage 3: Select the required level of protection (Basic, Balanced, or Strict) using the controls under the Tracking Prevention section. Or use the switch next to Tracking Prevention to disable the function.

If you want to exclude a website, click Exceptions and then add the URL of the site.

Fly: Enable the switch next to ‘Always use ‘Strict’ tracking blocking when browsing InPrivate’ to increase your privacy in InPrivate mode regardless of the level of Tracking Blocking used for normal web browsing.

iOS/Android

Stage 1: Open the Edge menu and then tap Settings.

Step 2: Tap Privacy & Security. On the next screen, tap Tracking Prevention.

Stage 3: Switch to the required Tracking Prevention level. Or turn off the switch next to Tracking Prevention to disable the function.

Tap Exceptions to add the URL of the site you want to exclude.

Tracking Prevention and Ad Blockers

The Microsoft Edge Add-on Store includes many content blocking extensions that can also help you protect your privacy. Extensions like uBlock Origin can do a better job at blocking trackers than the integrated Anti-Tracking module.

But extensions also have their share of privacy issues as they have access to your browsing activity. Some of the content blockers in the Microsoft Edge Add-ons Store look pretty sketchy! In addition, extensions consume additional system resources and can slow down the browser.

In contrast, Tracking Prevention is already integrated into Microsoft Edge, causes fewer performance issues, and is more secure overall.

Note: Mobile versions of Microsoft Edge also have a built-in content blocker by Adblock Plus (Edge Settings > Content Blockers). You can use this instead, but Tracking Prevention gives you more control when blocking trackers.

Protect Your Privacy

Tracking Prevention is an incredibly useful function. The folks at Redmond have done a great job making their browser more secure without leaving it up to the user to find ways to protect their privacy. Very good, Microsoft.

Next: Microsoft Edge Chromium has unprecedented support for progressive web apps (PWAs). Here’s how to install and remove them.