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Crank Safari privacy to the max

Crank Safari privacy to the max

How to get maximum anonymity from Apple's browser.

Leander Kahney
March 20, 2024

Back in January, Google quietly admitted that Incognito mode in Chrome isn’t very incognito at all. In fact, Google’s browser does almost nothing to protect your privacy online.

This shouldn’t really be a surprise: Google’s business model is based on tracking and building online profiles for advertisers (same with Facebook and many other internet companies, including, yes, the Cult of Mac website!). Remember: If it’s free, you are the product!

By contrast, Apple’s Safari web browser is already pretty good about protecting your privacy.

But if you really want to remain private online, you need to change some Safari settings that aren’t turned on by default. Here’s how to crank your online privacy to the max.

Also in today’s newsletter:

The iPhone’s screen is already pretty tough, thanks to Apple’s Ceramic Shield process, but the upcoming iPhone 17 could take it to the next level.
I’ve been looking forever for a MagSafe 3-in-1 charger that offers not just iPhone fast charging but also Apple Watch fast charging. This new charger from Belkin is the first I’ve seen that ticks both boxes — and it charges AirPods, too.
There’s new firmware for your AirTags: Here’s what it does.
If you hate your Apple TV remote, here’s a good ol’ multibutton remote that makes TV time much less frustrating.
Amazon’s Woot! has a big blowout sale on refurb iPhones starting at crazy-low prices. These aren’t likely to last long.
The venerable Backbone One iPhone gaming controller has been redesigned to make the well-reviewed device even better.
We hands-on review a new travel charger with a built-in battery charger, and find there’s a lot to like.
Today’s the day in Apple history that the Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh launched. It was one of young Jony Ive’s first major design projects, and included several novel ideas that were ahead of their time. Despite this, it was a major bomb.

— Leander Kahney, EIC.

Crank up Safari's privacy to the max

Safari comes with loads of privacy features that can keep your browsing activity hidden from ad networks, user tracking and data farms. But they aren’t switched on by default.

iPhone 17's display could get a big anti-reflective upgrade

iPhone 17 might ship with an upgraded cover glass, featuring a "super-hard anti-reflective layer" and improved scratch resistance.

Power up iPhone, Apple Watch and more with first Belkin Qi2 wireless charging stand

Upgrade your setup with Belkin BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charging Stand with Qi2. Fast charge all your devices with one sleek solution.

^{A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team}

iPhones go for as little as $126 in refurb blowout

Woot's refurbished iPhone deals include handsets from iPhone X up through recent models like iPhone SE (2nd generation) and iPhone 14.

iPhone gaming gets even better with redesigned Backbone One controller

Enhance iPhone gaming with the improved Backbone One iPhone game controller. It adds physical controls for a better experience.

Get this improved, intuitive Apple TV button remote for less than $40

Function101 Button Remote is for anyone who misses the simplicity of a traditional TV remote. Get an alternative Apple TV remote for less.

^{A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team}

iPad Air hits all-time low price

A fantastic deal on Amazon takes $150 off the iPad Air with M1 chip, bringing its price down to an all-time low of $449.

Upgrade to Windows 11 Pro for less than $30

Don't get stuck using an old version of Windows. Upgrade your PC to Windows 11 Pro with this limited-time sale from Cult of Mac Deals.

New Axie 3-in-1 power bank makes global charging a snap [Review] ★★★★☆

We recommend Journey's Axie global charger and power bank for anyone who needs to charge iPhone and other gadgets globally.

Everything you can do to get the latest AirTag firmware update

AirTag users will want the latest firmware for the item tracker. Here’s everything you can do to get it, and also how to be sure it’s installed.

Today in Apple history: Twentieth Anniversary Mac lands with a thud

On March 20, 1997, Apple released the Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh, a futuristic, special-edition Mac that was way ahead of its time.

Tweetz o’ the day

Sideloading an app onto an iPhone in the EU is easy thanks to Apple's new process! Just follow these quick, simple instructions:
— Nadim Kobeissi (@kaepora)
6:50 PM • Mar 19, 2024

Using Iphone 12 with AR Kit for facial motion capture, mapped real time to Ameca robots face. The aim here is to build the best expressive capabilities - Ameca is able to mimic to the tiny subtleties of human expression
Video source: @engineered_arts
#Ameca#robotics#tech
— Wevolver (@WevolverApp)
11:30 AM • Mar 20, 2024

What the hell Apple! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
— Joey - Master of Wit and Sarcasm (@jjstyx)
1:55 PM • Mar 20, 2024

Happy 40th Birthday @ijustine 🎉🎂🥳
This is her 2001 high school yearbook photo! She is posing with a PowerMac G4 & 17" Studio Display CRT (ADC). This alone in my mind is enough for her to be inducted into the Apple fan hall of fame.😀👍
— Mr. Macintosh (@ClassicII_MrMac)
5:01 PM • Mar 20, 2024

One more thing ...

❝

Your thoughts construct patterns like scaffolding in your mind. You are really etching chemical patterns. In most cases, people get stuck in those patterns, just like grooves in a record, and they never get out of them.

— Steve Jobs, 2011.

Today’s poll

Chrome’s sus, but do you trust Safari Private Browsing?

Results from yesterday’s poll: Were you lucky enough to have a "wicked fast" Mac IIfx?

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