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.
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.
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:
| Tracking Method | Description |
| Cookies | Small files that store data about your site visits. Third-party cookies track you across multiple sites. |
| Local Storage | Similar to cookies, this allows websites to store larger amounts of data in your browser. Often harder to detect. |
| Fingerprinting | Builds a unique profile of your device using characteristics like screen resolution, browser type, fonts, and plugins. |
| Cross-site Scripting | Uses embedded scripts or code to monitor your behavior across different domains. |
| Tracking Pixels | Invisible images or code embedded in emails or web pages, often from social networks or ad platforms. |
These tools can track you individually or in combination, sometimes even when you’ve taken steps to browse privately.
Even in Safari, trackers can sneak in via:
You might be thinking, “So what if I get more relevant ads?” But tracking affects more than just your shopping experience.
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:
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.
This feature uses machine learning to detect and block known trackers. ITP:
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.
This mode creates a temporary session that doesn’t save your history, cookies, or autofill data. However:
Downside: It’s a useful tool for preventing local data storage, but it doesn’t hide your activity from websites or your ISP.
This newer feature, introduced in macOS Monterey, lets Safari mask your IP address from known trackers. It:
Downside: It does not hide your IP from all websites or services. It’s only effective against known trackers in Apple’s list.
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.
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:
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.
Even with Safari’s best settings, you could still encounter:
A Mac-specific antivirus solution like Intego helps catch what Safari can’t. It includes:
Safari protects your browser. Intego protects your whole Mac.
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:
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.
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:
Safari is one of the best mainstream browsers for privacy, but how does it stack up against other popular options?
| Browser | Default Tracking Protection | Blocks Third-Party Cookies | Hides IP from Trackers | |
| Safari | Yes (ITP) | Yes | Yes (manual) | Strong integration with macOS and good balance between usability and privacy |
| Chrome | Minimal | No (manual) | No | Collects large amounts of user data; requires extensions for better privacy |
| Firefox | Yes | Yes | No | Strong privacy options; highly customizable |
| Edge | Some | No | No | Shares user data with Microsoft; similar to Chrome in architecture |
| Brave | Yes (aggressive) | Yes | Yes | Excellent privacy features by default; may break websites |
| Arc | Moderate | Yes | No | Modern interface with decent privacy; still maturing |
| DuckDuckGo | Yes (aggressive) | Yes | Yes | Blocks most trackers automatically; focused on simplicity and privacy-first browsing |
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.
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:
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.
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:
