Best Privacy Features in Vivaldi Browser – How to Stay Safe Online Like a Pro

 

Best Privacy Features in Vivaldi Browser – How to Stay Safe Online Like a Pro

Let’s be real—online privacy is a joke these days. Every website, ad network, and even your browser wants to track your every move. But not Vivaldi. Unlike Chrome, which practically hands over your data to Google on a silver platter, Vivaldi puts you in control.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the best privacy features in Vivaldi and how to use them. If you value your online security, stick with me—I’ve got some game-changing tips for you.

1. Built-in Ad and Tracker Blocker

You don’t need a third-party extension to block ads in Vivaldi. It comes with a powerful built-in ad and tracker blocker. This means no annoying pop-ups, fewer distractions, and most importantly—no creepy ads following you around.

How to Enable It:

1. Open Vivaldi Settings (Press Ctrl + F12).

2. Navigate to Privacy & Security.

3. Turn on Block Trackers & Ads.

Boom! No more data-hungry trackers watching your every move.

2. Encrypted Sync – Keep Your Data Safe Across Devices

Ever wished you could sync your bookmarks, passwords, and settings without Google getting a peek? Vivaldi Sync does exactly that—with end-to-end encryption. Unlike Chrome, not even Vivaldi can see your synced data.

How to Set Up Sync:

1. Go to Settings > Sync.

2. Log in or create a Vivaldi account.

3. Set a strong encryption password (don’t forget it!).

If you’re having trouble, you might be facing Vivaldi Sync not working issues. Check your internet connection and make sure you’re using the latest version. If all else fails, resetting Sync settings should do the trick.

Related Guide: How to Fix Vivaldi Sync Not Working Issues

3. Private Browsing Mode – No Traces Left Behind

Incognito mode in Chrome? Overrated. Vivaldi’s Private Window does a better job. It blocks ads and trackers by default, so you don’t leave any digital breadcrumbs behind.

How to Open a Private Window:

• Windows: Press Ctrl + Shift + N.

• Mac: Press Cmd + Shift + N.

Unlike Chrome, where “Incognito” is just a fancy word for we still track you, Vivaldi actually protects your privacy.

4. Cookie Control – Say No to Tracking

Cookies can be useful, but let’s be honest—most of them exist to spy on you. Vivaldi lets you block third-party cookies to stop advertisers from tracking your behavior.

How to Manage Cookies:

1. Go to Settings > Privacy & Security.

2. Scroll to Cookies & Site Data.

3. Select Block Third-Party Cookies.

For even more privacy, set it to Delete Cookies on Exit. That way, you won’t leave a trail of data behind.

5. Advanced Tracker Blocking – Full Control Over Your Data

Vivaldi’s Tracker Blocker, powered by DuckDuckGo’s Tracker Radar, stops sneaky tracking scripts. You can customize it per site, so if a website breaks because of aggressive blocking, you can tweak the settings.

How to Customize Tracking Protection:

• Click the Shield icon in the address bar.

• Choose between No Blocking, Block Trackers, or Block Trackers & Ads.

More control means fewer chances of being tracked without your consent.

6. No Google Tracking – Unlike Chrome

Here’s the best part: Vivaldi doesn’t rely on Google services. No telemetry, no forced tracking, no sneaky data collection.

How to Disable Google Services in Vivaldi:

1. Go to Settings > Privacy & Security.

2. Turn off Google Safe Browsing & Autofill.

3. Disable DNS Prefetching to prevent unwanted data leaks.

This means you decide what data gets shared, not Google.

7. Private Search Engine Support – No More Google Spying

Most browsers default to Google Search, which means every query gets logged. Vivaldi lets you pick privacy-friendly search engines like DuckDuckGo or Startpage.

How to Change the Default Search Engine:

1. Go to Settings > Search.

2. Choose DuckDuckGo, Startpage, or another private search engine.

3. Done—your searches are now private!

No more search history feeding Google’s advertising machine.

8. WebRTC Leak Protection – Hide Your IP Address

Even if you use a VPN, WebRTC leaks can expose your real IP address. Vivaldi has a built-in setting to stop this.

How to Enable WebRTC Leak Protection:

1. Open Settings > Privacy & Security.

2. Scroll down to WebRTC IP Handling Policy.

3. Select Disable Non-Proxied UDP.

Now, your real IP stays hidden, even from sneaky websites.

9. Secure Notes & Reading List – No Third-Party Access

Vivaldi’s Notes feature is perfect for saving ideas securely. Unlike Chrome extensions, Vivaldi doesn’t send your data to cloud services.

How to Use Vivaldi Notes:

• Open Notes Panel (Ctrl + Shift + O).

• Click New Note and type whatever you need.

• Your notes stay private and encrypted.

This is great for storing sensitive info without relying on Google Keep.

10. Vivaldi Mail – A Private Alternative to Gmail

Vivaldi Mail is a built-in, ad-free email client. Unlike Gmail, it doesn’t scan your emails for advertising data.

How to Enable Vivaldi Mail:

1. Open Settings > Mail.

2. Add your email account.

3. Enjoy a private, spam-free inbox.

For those tired of Google reading their emails, this is a must-use feature.

Conclusion

Privacy is no longer optional—it’s a necessity. Vivaldi Browser makes it easy to stay safe online. With built-in tracker blocking, encrypted sync, private search options, and zero Google tracking, it’s the best choice for privacy-conscious users.