# Ad & Tracker Blocking

## <mark style="color:purple;">Ad and Tracker Blocking</mark>

![Ad & Tracker Blocking](https://macro-browser-gitbook.netlify.app/images/features/ad-tracker-combined.svg)

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Macro blocks trackers and fingerprinting at the browser layer—no extensions required.

### <mark style="color:purple;">Native Blocking</mark>

Most browsers require extensions for ad/tracker blocking. Extensions expand your attack surface and create new fingerprinting vectors.

Macro builds blocking into the browser:

* No extension installation
* No permission grants to third parties
* No expanded fingerprint
* Better performance (blocking happens before resources load)

### <mark style="color:purple;">What Gets Blocked</mark>

#### <mark style="color:purple;">Third-Party Trackers</mark>

Scripts that follow you across sites to build advertising profiles:

* Google Analytics and similar
* Facebook Pixel
* Cross-site tracking cookies
* Tracking beacons and pixels

#### <mark style="color:purple;">Intrusive Ads</mark>

Disruptive advertising that degrades browsing:

* Pop-ups and pop-unders
* Auto-playing video ads
* Interstitial overlays
* Crypto miners

#### <mark style="color:purple;">Fingerprinting Scripts</mark>

Code that tries to uniquely identify your browser:

* Canvas fingerprinting
* WebGL fingerprinting
* Audio context fingerprinting
* Font enumeration
* Hardware profiling

### <mark style="color:purple;">Fingerprint Randomization</mark>

Blocking fingerprinting scripts isn't enough—sites can still identify you through browser characteristics. Macro randomizes your fingerprint:

* Canvas rendering variations
* User-agent string rotation
* Screen resolution fuzzing
* Timezone randomization
* Language preference variations

Every profile gets a different fingerprint. Sites can't correlate your activity across profiles.

### <mark style="color:purple;">Referrer Policy</mark>

When you click a link, sites see where you came from. Macro strips or modifies referrer headers:

* **No Referrer** - Sites see no origin
* **Same-Origin Only** - Referrer sent only for same-site navigation
* **Strict** - Never send referrer information

Configurable per Privacy Profile.

### <mark style="color:purple;">Cookie Management</mark>

Cookies are a primary tracking mechanism. Macro handles them differently:

* **Per-Profile Cookie Jars** - Each Privacy Profile has isolated cookies
* **Third-Party Cookie Blocking** - Cross-site cookies blocked by default
* **Auto-Delete on Close** - Option to clear cookies when closing a profile
* **Granular Control** - Allow/block cookies per-site

### <mark style="color:purple;">Script Blocking</mark>

Advanced users can enable aggressive script blocking:

* Block all third-party JavaScript
* Whitelist trusted domains
* Per-profile script policies

Breaks some sites, but maximizes privacy.

### <mark style="color:purple;">Privacy Filters</mark>

Macro uses privacy-respecting filter lists:

* EasyList
* EasyPrivacy
* Peter Lowe's Ad Server List
* Fanboy's Annoyance List

Updated automatically, applied natively.

### <mark style="color:purple;">Performance Benefits</mark>

Blocking trackers and ads makes browsing faster:

* Pages load quicker (fewer resources to fetch)
* Less CPU usage (fewer scripts running)
* Reduced bandwidth consumption
* Better battery life on laptops

Privacy pays performance dividends.

### <mark style="color:purple;">Customization</mark>

Control blocking behavior per Privacy Profile:

* **Aggressive** - Maximum blocking, some sites may break
* **Balanced** - Block most trackers and ads (default)
* **Minimal** - Allow more content, block only invasive trackers
* **Custom** - Define your own filter lists and rules

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Built-in protection. No extensions required.

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