Edge privacy settings on Mac: Relaxed level

What for: To protect the browser from threats. 

Microsoft Edge has built-in protection against potentially unsafe apps, add-ons and websites. If a file or a Web recourse seems suspicious, the browser may block it from loading. To activate this protection:

1. Click the three dots in the upper right corner of the screen;
2. Select Settings;
3. Go to the Privacy, Search, and Services section in the menu on the left;
4. Scroll down to the Security section and enable these options:
5. Microsoft Defender SmartScreen;
6. Block potentially unwanted apps.

What for: To leave no tracks.

By default, Microsoft Edge saves a list of pages you visit, files you download, and other information. It helps you find the websites you need and use them comfortably. However, if you share your computer, important personal info may be revealed to others. To avoid this, use the private browsing mode. The browser will delete all browsing data from private windows and tabs when you close them, but it won't affect browsing history and website data logging in general.

To activate the private mode:

1. Click the three dots in the upper right corner of the screen;
2. Select New InPrivate Window.

What for: To keep notifications from distracting you and to save computer resources.

By default, some Microsoft Edge services are allowed to operate in the background. For example, social network notifications will continue to appear even when you close your browser. Yet some services may misuse this function to spy on you or send spam. Besides, this draws on computer resources. To turn off background services:

1. Click the three dots in the upper right corner of the screen;
2. Select Settings;
3. Go to the System section in the menu on the left;
4. Turn off Continue running background extensions and apps when Microsoft Edge is closed.

Downside: You'll stop getting notifications after closing the browser.

What for: To set the privacy and security level that suits you.

By default, Microsoft Edge protects your privacy when browsing and blocks trackers that collect information about your Internet activities, interests and preferences. In addition, Microsoft Edge protects you against malicious scripts such as cryptominers, which secretly draw on your device resources. To configure tracking prevention:

1. Click the three dots in the upper right corner of the screen;
2. Select Settings;
3. Go to the Privacy, Search, and Services section in the menu on the left;
4. Under Tracking prevention, select the level that suits you:
5. Basic. Microsoft Edge will block some tracking tools and terminate the known dangerous scripts.
6. Balanced. Microsoft Edge will block tracking tools of advertising networks and terminate dangerous scripts.
7. Strict. Microsoft Edge will block all tracking tools and terminate dangerous scripts.

Downside: If you select the strict tracking prevention level, some websites may work incorrectly.

What for: To notify website owners you do not want to provide information about your activities.

Most websites collect information about their visitors' actions. Such data can be used to personalize ads or passed on to third parties. If you don't want websites to track your activities, you may notify website owners about it.

1. Click the three dots in the upper right corner of the screen;
2. Select Settings;
3. Go to the Privacy, Search, and Services section in the menu on the left;
4. Under Privacy, enable Send "Do Not Track" requests.

Bear in mind: this notification doesn't enforce any requirement to stop tracking.