Introduction
Websites often rely on scripts—small programs that run in your browser—to provide dynamic content, animations, analytics and advertisements. While many scripts enhance your browsing experience, others may pose privacy risks, slow down page loads or even deliver malicious code. The Brave browser offers powerful tools to control and block scripts at multiple levels. This article explains, in detail, how to enable script blocking in Brave and customize it to suit your needs.
Why Block Scripts
- Privacy Protection: Scripts often track your behavior across sites.
- Improved Performance: Fewer scripts can mean faster page loads and reduced CPU usage.
- Security: Blocking untrusted or malicious scripts helps guard against drive-by downloads and cross-site attacks.
- Reduced Clutter: Stop auto-playing videos, pop-ups or unnecessary animations.
Understanding Brave’s Script Blocking
Brave integrates Shields, a set of built-in privacy and security protections. One of these options is Block Scripts, which prevents JavaScript execution on a site-by-site basis. Additionally, Brave allows you to disable all JavaScript globally via the browser’s settings. You can choose between per-site control (more granular) or global blocking (more aggressive).
Methods to Enable Script Blocking
1. Per-Site Blocking Using Brave Shields
- Open Brave and navigate to the website where you want to block scripts.
- Click the Brave Shields lion icon in the address bar.
- In the Shields panel, locate the Scripts toggle. By default it may show “Allowed”.
- Click the toggle so it switches to Blocked. The page will reload, and scripts will no longer run.
- To allow scripts again on this site, return to Shields and switch Scripts back to Allowed.
2. Global JavaScript Blocking via Site Settings
- Open Brave and click the Menu icon (three horizontal lines or dots) in the top-right corner.
- Select Settings gt Privacy and security gt Site and Shields settings.
- Scroll to the Content section and click JavaScript.
- Switch the setting to Blocked. This disables JavaScript across all websites.
- If certain sites break without scripts, you can add them as exceptions by clicking Add next to “Allowed to use JavaScript” and entering the site’s URL.
Managing Exceptions and Whitelisting
Blocking scripts indiscriminately can render many websites unusable. Brave lets you maintain a whitelist for trusted sites and view individual script requests.
Whitelist Trusted Sites
- In Settings gt Site and Shields settings gt JavaScript, use the Add button under “Allowed to use JavaScript.”
- Enter the site’s address (for example, https://example.com) and confirm to exempt it from global blocking.
Viewing Blocked Scripts
- Open the site in question and click the Shields icon.
- Click View blocked scripts to see a list of script URLs the browser prevented from running.
- You can selectively enable individual scripts by clicking the “eye” icon next to each entry.
Comparison of Script Blocking Approaches
| Scope | Method | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per-site | Brave Shields gt Scripts toggle | Granular control quick toggle in toolbar. | Must configure for each site manually. |
| Global | Settings gt Site and Shields settings gt JavaScript | One switch for all sites high privacy. | Might break essential functionality on many sites. |
| Extension-based | Install NoScript or uBlock Origin | Advanced filters whitelist by default. | Steep learning curve more setup. |
Advanced Techniques and Extensions
- NoScript: Blocks JavaScript, Java, Flash and other plugins by default you whitelist trusted domains.
- uBlock Origin: A lightweight, general-purpose blocker that can be configured to block all scripts and create custom filter lists.
- Custom CSS/JS: Use the Stylus extension or similar to inject your own CSS/JS rules to disable scripts on the fly.
Enabling Script Blocking on Brave Mobile
Brave for Android and iOS also includes script blocking:
- Tap the three-dot Menu gt Settings gt Shields.
- Enable Block Scripts. This applies globally—you cannot yet toggle per site on mobile.
- To whitelist, tap the site’s address bar shield icon and disable Block Scripts for that page.
Conclusion
Script blocking in Brave is a versatile way to enhance your privacy, security and browsing performance. Whether you choose to block scripts per site using Brave Shields or disable JavaScript globally in the settings, Brave provides the flexibility to fine-tune your web experience. For power users, extensions like NoScript or uBlock Origin offer even deeper control. By combining these tools and whitelisting trusted domains, you can enjoy a safer, faster and ad-free browsing environment.
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