Security & Privacy

If it feels like websites know a little too much about you, you’re not imagining things. Every time you click a link, scroll through a page, or watch a video, chances are someone is watching — not a person, but a tracking script.

These digital trackers gather data about your behavior, often without your knowledge. They follow you from site to site, building a detailed profile of your interests, habits, and even location. The goal is usually targeted advertising, but the implications go far beyond just ads.

Safari, Apple’s default browser, is often praised for its privacy focus. And it’s true: Safari includes several powerful features that aim to keep your online activity private. But even with Apple’s tools turned on, some tracking can still slip through the cracks.

What Does “Tracking” in Safari Actually Mean?

Website tracking is more complex than just a cookie or two. Today’s trackers use multiple techniques to follow users across the web, often without any visible signs. Safari is designed to block many of these tools, but it helps to understand what’s going on behind the scenes.

The Basics of Website Tracking

Tracking is the process of collecting data about your behavior on websites. Advertisers, data brokers, and even social platforms use this data to build profiles, target you with ads, and sell insights about your online habits. Here are the most common methods:

These tools can track you individually or in combination, sometimes even when you’ve taken steps to browse privately.

How Websites Track You in Safari, Specifically

Even in Safari, trackers can sneak in via:

• Third-party cookies from ad networks or embedded tools
• Local storage that holds persistent data
• Social media pixels, such as Facebook’s “Like” button or embedded TikTok videos

The Risks of Being Tracked

You might be thinking, “So what if I get more relevant ads?” But tracking affects more than just your shopping experience.

• You may see eerily specific product suggestions that seem to follow you around the internet.
• Your data could be shared or sold to third-party companies without your explicit consent.
• Even in Private Browsing Mode, sophisticated fingerprinting can sometimes still infer your identity.

Why Would You Want to Stop Tracking in Safari?

The short answer: to protect your privacy and regain control over your data.

Tracking might seem harmless at first, but it opens the door to several issues:

• Loss of privacy: Your browsing behavior, interests, and even location can be monitored without your consent.
• Targeted advertising: Marketers use this data to deliver ads tailored to you, which can feel invasive.
• Security concerns: Trackers can be used by malicious actors to exploit vulnerabilities or deliver malware.
• Reduced performance: Heavy use of trackers and scripts can slow down page loads and drain your battery.

What Safari Already Does to Protect Your Privacy

Apple has built several privacy-focused features into Safari to limit tracking. These tools work together to give you more control over your online footprint — but they have limitations.

Intelligent Tracking Prevention (ITP)

This feature uses machine learning to detect and block known trackers. ITP:

• Limits the lifespan of third-party cookies
• Prevents cross-site tracking by default
• Updates regularly based on new threats

Downside: ITP doesn’t block all trackers, especially newer or more sophisticated ones. It also may not catch cookies used by smaller or lesser-known tracking services.

Private Browsing Mode

This mode creates a temporary session that doesn’t save your history, cookies, or autofill data. However:

• Your IP address is still visible to websites
• Fingerprinting and other forms of passive tracking can still occur

Downside: It’s a useful tool for preventing local data storage, but it doesn’t hide your activity from websites or your ISP.

Hide IP Address from Trackers

This newer feature, introduced in macOS Monterey, lets Safari mask your IP address from known trackers. It:

• Reduces the ability to link browsing activity to your real identity
• Blocks IP address sharing with recognized tracking sources

Downside: It does not hide your IP from all websites or services. It’s only effective against known trackers in Apple’s list.

How to Turn Off Tracking in Safari – Step-by-Step

Apple makes it relatively easy to take control of your browser’s privacy settings. Whether you’re using a Mac or an iPhone, here’s how to reduce website tracking in Safari.

On a Mac Desktop

1. Open Safari.
2. Go to Safari > Settings > Privacy.
3. Enable these options:
   • Prevent cross-site tracking
   • Hide IP address from trackers

If you’re especially privacy-conscious, you can also check Block all cookies, but be aware that this may cause some websites to malfunction.

To go a step further:

• Click Manage Website Data to view and delete stored cookies or data from specific sites.
• This can help you clear persistent trackers or cookies you didn’t know were there.

On iPhone or iPad

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Scroll down and tap Safari.
3. Turn on the following settings:
   • Prevent Cross-Site Tracking
   • Hide IP Address from Trackers
   • Optionally, Block All Cookies for more substantial (but sometimes disruptive) protection

Other Ways to Stop Tracking on Your Mac

Safari’s built-in protections are a strong first step. However, tracking can also happen outside the browser. Here are additional ways to guard your privacy on macOS.

Use a Mac-Friendly Antivirus with Web Protection – Intego

Even with Safari’s best settings, you could still encounter:

• Hidden trackers in downloads or email links
• Malicious scripts embedded in legitimate-looking sites
• Spyware or adware that logs your activity system-wide

A Mac-specific antivirus solution like Intego helps catch what Safari can’t. It includes:

• Real-time web protection to block suspicious trackers and scripts
• Anti-spyware features tailored for macOS
• Safe browsing tools that don’t interfere with Safari’s performance

Safari protects your browser. Intego protects your whole Mac.

Use a Firewall to Control Outbound Traffic

Not all tracking happens through your browser. In fact, many desktop applications, background services, and even seemingly harmless utilities can quietly send data to third parties, sometimes without asking for your permission.

A good firewall solution designed for Mac can help you take control of this kind of hidden communication. It lets you:

• Block or approve individual apps’ network activity, so you can decide which software gets to connect to the internet and when.
• Stop unauthorized outgoing data from apps that may be phoning home, sharing usage stats, or transmitting personal details.
• Detect unusual traffic from background processes, which could indicate tracking behavior, spyware, or malware that your browser-based tools might miss.

Most people focus on protecting their systems’ data, but outbound connections are just as important. Apps that run silently in the background, such as screen recorders, clipboard managers, or certain free utilities, can transmit information about your system, behavior, and files.

Stay Updated and Use Trusted Extensions

Outdated software is more vulnerable to tracking, malware, and other security threats. That’s because older versions of macOS or Safari often contain unpatched security holes that attackers and advertisers can exploit. These vulnerabilities may allow hidden scripts or malicious websites to bypass Safari’s built-in protections, making it easier to track your behavior or even compromise your system.

New updates frequently include fixes for known flaws and enhancements to privacy tools like Intelligent Tracking Prevention or IP address masking. Skipping these updates means you’re missing out on important safeguards that evolve in response to new tracking techniques.

In addition to keeping your system current:

• Always install the latest macOS and Safari updates to take advantage of ongoing privacy improvements and security patches.
• Be selective with browser extensions. Stick to well-reviewed tools from reputable developers, especially if you’re adding content blockers or anti-tracking features. Even legitimate-seeming add-ons can introduce vulnerabilities if they aren’t actively maintained.
• Avoid free extensions that request excessive permissions or promise to “optimize” your browsing. Some of these extensions quietly collect and sell your browsing data, defeating the very privacy protections you’re trying to implement.

How Does Safari Compare to Other Browsers for Privacy?

Safari is one of the best mainstream browsers for privacy, but how does it stack up against other popular options?

DuckDuckGo and Brave offer more aggressive privacy by default, blocking nearly everything, including fingerprinting scripts and embedded social media buttons. However, these can sometimes break websites or disrupt functionality.

Arc is a newer player focused on rethinking how browsers work. While it includes some privacy controls, it currently lacks the depth of tracking prevention found in Safari or DuckDuckGo.

Safari remains the best balance between strong privacy protections and system-level integration if you’re a Mac user.

Is Safari Enough to Protect My Privacy Online?

Safari offers a solid foundation for online privacy. With features like Intelligent Tracking Prevention and IP address masking, it does a good job of limiting surveillance, especially when configured correctly.

But even with everything enabled, Safari only protects you inside the browser. It doesn’t:

• Monitor downloads or email attachments
• Block malicious apps or spyware on your system
• Prevent background apps from sending data
• Offer comprehensive firewall controls or malware scanning

That’s why adding tools like Intego creates a more complete solution. Antivirus and firewall protection extend your defenses beyond the browser, helping ensure your entire Mac stays private.

Intego fills in the gaps left by Safari, giving you peace of mind that your privacy is protected no matter what app or connection you’re using. It’s beneficial for identifying hidden network activity, blocking suspicious downloads, and protecting you from sophisticated tracking technologies that operate at the system level.

Whether you’re concerned about targeted ads, social media tracking, or silent background scripts, the most effective strategy is to take a layered approach.

FAQ

Does Safari really block all trackers?
Safari blocks many known trackers using Intelligent Tracking Prevention, which limits third-party cookies and uses machine learning to identify suspicious behavior. However, it cannot catch everything. Newer tracking methods like fingerprinting and scripts embedded in media players can still slip through.

Is Private Browsing enough to stay anonymous?
No. Private Browsing simply prevents Safari from saving your history, cookies, and autofill data. Your IP address is still visible to websites, and your behavior can still be tracked using techniques like fingerprinting. It’s helpful, but not comprehensive.

Can Intego help block trackers on Mac?
Yes. Intego’s antivirus and firewall tools go beyond Safari, blocking trackers embedded in downloads, apps, and even background processes. It’s designed specifically for macOS, so it integrates well with the system and won’t interfere with performance.

Should I block all cookies in Safari?
Blocking all cookies gives you the highest level of protection, but it can break essential functions on many websites. A better option for most users is enabling “Prevent Cross-Site Tracking,” which blocks third-party cookies while still allowing first-party cookies needed for logins and preferences.

How do I stop social media tracking in Safari?
To reduce social media tracking:

• Enable Prevent Cross-Site Tracking and Hide IP Address from Trackers
• Avoid staying logged in to social media accounts while browsing
• Use content blockers that remove embedded social buttons
• Consider browser extensions designed to block social media scripts

About Shira Stieglitz