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When using Tor Browser to access onion sites, privacy is the name of the game. That’s why you may have noticed a pop-up notification or response from a website that says you must disable JavaScript before proceeding.
It’s a simple task that only takes a moment or two to complete, and there are some good reasons to do so.
How to Disable JavaScript in Tor Browser Using the Settings Menu
There are two methods to turn JavaScript off in Tor Browser. The first method uses the Tor Browser Settings panel.
JavaScript is now disabled on all sites you visit while using Tor Browser.
How to Disable JavaScript in Tor Browser Using the Advanced Settings
The other way to turn-off JavaScript in Tor Browser is using theabout:configAdvanced Settings menu, which gives you access to all of Tor Browser’s settings.
However, before proceeding, note that I don’t advise you to fiddle with any other settings in this menu. Changing Tor Browser settings without understanding what they do can lead to privacy issues and make Tor Browser unsafe. Furthermore, while this backend option exists, manually disabling JavaScript could make your browser more unique (i.e., it may have a more notable fingerprint, which is part of what using Tor Browser is designed to avoid).
Close the about:config window, and you’re good to go.
Should You Disable JavaScript in Tor Browser?
While some Onion sites require you to turn JavaScript off to gain access, whether you need to keep it switched off at all times is another question. It also closely relates to how you’re using Tor Browser.
For example, if you’re using Tor Browser to access regular websites, you’ll quickly realize that most of the internet as we know it uses JavaScript in some way, and many of your favorite sites and services won’t work without it. However, there are a couple of reasons why you should consider disabling JavaScript in Tor Browser.
First, it prevents certain Tor Browser exploits. Tor Browser exploits are rare, but they do happen, and JavaScript has previously been used to exploit the secure browser. For example, two JavaScript exploits affecting Mozilla Firefox (Tor Browser is a modified version of Firefox) were found atPwn2Own 2024, while another exploit from 2020 targeted a JavaScript vulnerability in the No Script extension, a crucial Tor Browser security feature.
Furthermore, disabling JavaScript should make it more difficult for tracking services to discern your unique browser characteristics, such as screen resolution, browser window size (Tor advises using the default window size!), and system fonts. However, some argue that disabling JavaScript could also make your Tor Browser more unique among other Tor Browser fingerprints, so it’s a mixed bag.
You can also turn JavaScript on and off as required, which could be useful if you’re using Tor Browser to access regular websites from locations with restricted internet access. Users in those places will want to remain as secure and anonymous as possible, but at times, accessing unrestricted, uncensored information is the most important feature of all.
