How to disable Javascript in tor?

How do you disable JavaScript in Tor?

Short answer: click the shield icon next to the address bar, open the security settings and choose Safest. You can also go to Menu ≡ > Settings > Privacy & Security > Security Level. At Safest, Tor Browser blocks JavaScript on every website. If you only want to block it on sites without HTTPS, choose Safer.

Shield icon (or ≡ > Settings > Privacy & Security)
  > Security Level
    > Safest   → JavaScript off on all sites

Reload the tabs you already had open so the new level applies to them. If Tor Browser asks you to restart, accept.

Standard runs everything, Safer turns JavaScript off on sites without HTTPS and Safest turns it off on every site.

The three security levels in Tor Browser

The level applies to the whole browser, not to one tab. Tor Browser starts at Standard, so JavaScript is on until you change it.

Disable JavaScript step by step on desktop

These steps work on Windows, macOS and Linux:

1. Open Tor Browser and connect to the Tor network.
2. Click the shield icon to the right of the address bar. If you don't see it, open the menu ≡ > Settings.
3. Go to Privacy & Security and scroll to Security Level.
4. Select Safest to block JavaScript on every site, or Safer to block it only on sites without HTTPS.
5. Reload your open tabs, and restart Tor Browser if it asks you to.

To check that it worked, open a site that needs JavaScript, such as a web app or a page with an interactive map. You should see a blank area or a message like Please enable JavaScript to continue.

Disable JavaScript in Tor Browser for Android

1. Open Tor Browser on your phone.
2. Tap the menu (⋮ or ≡, depending on the version) and open Settings.
3. In Privacy and security, tap Security Level.
4. Choose Safest.

The levels mean the same on Android as on desktop.

Allow JavaScript on one site only

At Safest, some sites you trust may stop working. Tor Browser includes the NoScript extension, which lets you make exceptions:

1. Right-click the toolbar and choose Customize Toolbar.
2. Drag the NoScript icon to the toolbar and click Done.
3. Open the site, click the NoScript icon and choose Trust or Temporarily trust for that site.

Use exceptions only on sites you really need. Every exception makes your browser a little easier to tell apart from other Tor users.

Why not use about:config?

You can turn JavaScript off in about:config by setting javascript.enabled to false:

about:config
  javascript.enabled = false

It works, but the Tor Project advises against changing settings in about:config. The idea behind Tor Browser is that every user looks the same. If you change hidden settings, your browser can stand out and become easier to fingerprint. The Security Level settings were designed for this, so use them instead.

Why turn JavaScript off in Tor?

• Fewer attacks: many browser exploits run through JavaScript. Without it, there is much less code that a malicious site can run on your computer.
• Less fingerprinting: scripts can measure your screen, fonts and hardware to identify your browser.
• The cost: logins, captchas, menus, videos and many web apps stop working without JavaScript.

A good rule: use Safer for everyday browsing, and switch to Safest when you visit sites you don't trust or when privacy matters most.

Use AI to understand what a site is doing

If a page breaks with JavaScript off, an assistant like ChatGPT, Claude or GitHub Copilot can help you understand why. These three prompts are ready to copy.

1. Explain what broke

I use Tor Browser at the Safest security level and this site does not work: [describe what you see].
Explain what JavaScript is probably used for on this page and whether I can use it without JavaScript.

2. Choose a level

I use Tor Browser for [describe what you do]. Compare the Standard, Safer and Safest security levels
for my case and tell me which one to use, with the trade-offs.

3. Read a script before trusting it

This is a script from a website I want to allow in NoScript: [paste the script].
Explain in simple words what it does and whether it collects information about my browser.

Treat the answers as a guide and decide for yourself which sites to trust.

Common problems after disabling JavaScript

Related guides

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• How to install JavaScript
• How to run JavaScript in Visual Studio Code
• How to print in JavaScript
• What is the difference between Java and JavaScript