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🔒 Atlas Browser Privacy Checklist 2026

12 settings to verify in 10 minutes • Updated February 2026 • 10 min read

📋 Table of Contents

This checklist is for users who want practical privacy improvements without breaking daily browsing. You can complete all checks in about 10 minutes and revisit monthly.

12
Settings to check
10min
Time to complete
Monthly
Recommended frequency

Why Privacy Matters

Block Trackers

Stop third-party tracking across sites

Secure DNS

Encrypt your DNS queries

Extension Hygiene

Reduce attack surface from add-ons

Profile Isolation

Separate work and personal data

Quick Checklist

1 Enable strict tracker blocking

Set global anti-tracking mode to strict and verify third-party trackers are blocked by default.

2 Lock cookie behavior

Block third-party cookies and clear site data when you sign out of sensitive services.

3 Set secure DNS

Use a trusted DNS-over-HTTPS provider and disable insecure fallback mode.

4 Review extension permissions

Restrict broad "Read and change all data" access unless it is required.

5 Remove stale extensions

Uninstall extensions not used in the last 30 days to reduce attack surface.

6 Use profile separation

Keep work and personal browsing in separate profiles.

7 Restrict notification prompts

Disable automatic notification popups from unknown sites.

8 Verify download protections

Keep safe browsing and download scanning enabled.

9 Disable background sync where possible

Reduce passive metadata leaks from idle tabs.

10 Check autofill scope

Limit card and address autofill to trusted domains only.

11 Enforce HTTPS-first behavior

Enable secure connection upgrade attempts before loading HTTP.

12 Schedule monthly audit

Add a recurring reminder to rerun this list.

💡 Pro Tip: Do not apply all hardening to your daily profile at once. Keep a backup profile so you can compare behavior if a site fails.

Recommended Setting Values

Use this baseline unless you have compatibility needs for a specific corporate app:

Setting Recommended Value
Tracking protection Strict
Third-party cookies Blocked
Secure DNS Enabled with trusted resolver
Site notifications Ask / Blocked by default
Password leak alerts Enabled

Extension Permission Hygiene

Extensions are the largest privacy risk surface in Chromium-based browsers. Prioritize these checks:

⚠️ Warning: Extensions with "Read and change all your data on all websites" permission can see everything you type, including passwords and credit card numbers. Only grant this to extensions you fully trust.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will strict tracking protection break websites?
Some sites may need exceptions. Keep strict mode globally, then whitelist only the domains that fail critical flows.
How often should I rerun this checklist?
Monthly is enough for most users. Run it immediately after adding new extensions or after major browser updates.
Is this checklist still useful if I already use uBlock Origin?
Yes. uBlock covers network filtering, but browser-level privacy controls and permission hygiene still matter for comprehensive protection.

Next Step: Speed + Stability

After privacy hardening, run the performance tuneup guide to improve startup speed and tab responsiveness.

Open Performance Tuneup 2026 →