I browser hop a lot. I would love to say it’s for work (it kind of is), but it’s mostly because I’m indecisive. This allows me to keep track of all the new features on different browsers. While I’m currently daily-driving Edge, I switched to Firefox for a few months earlier this year.
While setting up Firefox, I noticed something new. In a list of recommended add-ons, they suggested “Facebook Container.” I installed it without really thinking much about it. But then I started noticing this line on my tabs that indicated that Facebook is isolated from the rest of my browser. That’s what got me interested.
What does it really do?
If you’re on Facebook long enough, you’ll start to notice that the ads you see there are often specifically targeted towards you. While a lot of that targeting is based on your activities on Facebook, the company is also notorious for collecting a lot data about your off-site activities. The purpose of this container is to isolate Facebook and its cookies so that it cannot identify you on other sites.
This is not the only container Firefox offers. The Multi-Account Containers act the same way by isolating your tabs. So, you can group your tabs into different containers, and the data will be isolated within those containers. For example, you can create a social media container for Facebook and X and another for shopping sites like eBay and Amazon. That way, social media sites won’t be able to know your shopping preferences. It also offers a lot more customisation for those who want it.
Effortless integration with Firefox
While Firefox containers are add-ons you must install, they work effortlessly with the browser because they’re first-party extensions from Mozilla. Other than the tab indicators, you barely notice that the Facebook Container is even there. The Multi-Account Containers also automatically sort your tabs, with minimal set-up required. They feel more like a browser feature than add-ons.
Firefox containers aren’t new. They’ve been around for about two years, and I miss this feature on other browsers. Ad blockers and anti-trackers like uBlock Origin and Privacy Badger help prevent off-site tracking by blocking third-party cookies. However, a first-party solution like containers adds an extra layer of protection that is always appreciated.