Mullvad Browser | Digital Privacy Sessions

Mullvad Browser Installation Guide - Privacy-Focused Web Browsing

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Prerequisites

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Before you begin:

A desktop computer running Windows 10+, macOS 10.15+, or Linux
Internet connection for downloading and browsing
At least 200MB of free storage space
No account required - Mullvad Browser works completely independently

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Privacy First: Mullvad Browser is built on Firefox with enhanced privacy features, anti-fingerprinting technology, and tracker blocking built-in. No data collection or telemetry.

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Step 1: Choose Your Platform & Install

Windows Installation

Download Mullvad Browser

Visit mullvad.net/en/download/browser/windows and download the latest version for Windows (64-bit)

Run the Installer

Double-click the downloaded .exe file and follow the installation wizard. You may need to allow the installer through Windows Defender SmartScreen

Launch Mullvad Browser

Open Mullvad Browser from the Start Menu or desktop shortcut. The browser starts with privacy-focused defaults

macOS Installation

Download for macOS

Visit mullvad.net/en/download/browser/macos and download the appropriate version for your Mac (Intel or Apple Silicon)

Open the DMG File

Double-click the downloaded .dmg file to mount the disk image

Install the Application

Drag the Mullvad Browser icon to your Applications folder. You may need to right-click and select "Open" the first time due to Gatekeeper security

Launch from Applications

Open Mullvad Browser from your Applications folder or Spotlight search

Linux Installation (GUI Method)

Download for Linux

Visit mullvad.net/en/download/browser/linux and download the tar.xz archive for your architecture (usually x86_64)

Extract the Archive

Right-click the downloaded file and select "Extract Here" or use your file manager's extraction tool

Move to Applications

Move the extracted folder to /opt/ or ~/Applications/ or your preferred location using your file manager

Run Mullvad Browser

Navigate to the folder and double-click the mullvad-browser executable or use the provided launcher script

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You can create a desktop shortcut by copying the application's .desktop file to your desktop or applications menu.

Linux Installation (Terminal Method)

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Official Commands: For the most up-to-date terminal installation commands, visit the official Mullvad documentation.

Repository Installation (Recommended)

For Ubuntu, Debian, and Fedora users, follow the official repository installation commands at:

https://mullvad.net/en/download/browser/linux

Repository installation provides automatic updates and AppArmor security profiles.

Manual Installation (Other Distributions)

For other Linux distributions, use the manual installation commands available at:

https://mullvad.net/en/download/browser/linux

This method downloads and extracts the browser manually without using package managers.

Launch from Terminal

After installation via repository, launch with:

mullvad-browser

For manual installations, see the launching instructions in the official guide linked above.

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Always Current: The official Mullvad documentation is always kept up-to-date with the latest installation commands and any changes to the process.

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Repository vs Manual: Repository installation is strongly recommended as it provides AppArmor security profiles, automatic updates, and proper system integration.

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Step 2: Initial Setup

Privacy-First Defaults

Mullvad Browser starts with privacy-focused settings enabled by default - no configuration needed

Tracker Blocking

uBlock Origin comes pre-installed and configured for optimal tracker and ad blocking

Test Privacy Protection

Visit sites like coveryourtracks.eff.org or browserleaks.com to verify your fingerprinting protection

Test URL: https://coveryourtracks.eff.org/

Search Engine

Default search engine is DuckDuckGo for privacy-respecting search results

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Step 3: Customize Privacy Settings

Enhanced Tracking Protection

Settings → Privacy & Security → Enhanced Tracking Protection is set to "Strict" by default

Cookie Management

Cookies are automatically cleared when you close the browser to prevent tracking across sessions

Fingerprinting Resistance

Browser fingerprinting is blocked by default - resist changing window size or installing extensions

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Installing additional extensions may make your browser more unique and easier to track

DNS and Connectivity

DNS over HTTPS is enabled by default. Consider using Mullvad's DoH for additional privacy

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Step 4: Advanced Privacy Features

Letterboxing

Browser window size is standardized to prevent fingerprinting - avoid maximizing or manually resizing

NoScript Integration

NoScript extension is pre-installed for controlling JavaScript execution on websites for enhanced security

Private Browsing Mode

Use private browsing windows for additional isolation - each window is completely independent

Mullvad VPN Integration

For maximum privacy, combine with Mullvad VPN service to hide your IP address and location

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Maximum Privacy: Mullvad Browser provides the privacy benefits of Tor Browser without using the Tor network, making it faster while still protecting against tracking and fingerprinting.

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Troubleshooting Common Issues

🌐 Website Compatibility

Site not loading properly: Try disabling NoScript temporarily for that specific site
Login issues: Some sites may block privacy browsers - try using standard Firefox for such sites
Video/media problems: Adjust NoScript settings to allow media scripts on trusted sites

🔧 Browser Issues

Browser won't start: Try running from terminal to see error messages, or reinstall the browser
Frequent crashes: Check available RAM and close other applications. Consider restarting your system
Performance issues: Clear browser data or try launching with a fresh profile
Extension problems: Avoid installing additional extensions as they can compromise privacy and cause issues

🔒 Privacy & Security

Fingerprinting test fails: Ensure you haven't resized the browser window or installed additional extensions
Cookies not clearing: Check that you're not in permanent private browsing exceptions
DNS leaks: Verify your system DNS settings if using with a VPN
WebRTC concerns: WebRTC is disabled by default in Mullvad Browser for privacy