Boost Your Browsing Privacy: Tips for Using Stealthy on Firefox

Stealthy for Firefox Review — Features, Pros, and ConsStealthy for Firefox is a lightweight browser extension that aims to give users quick control over their online privacy and location by toggling proxy usage and blocking certain web behaviors. In this review I cover its major features, how it works in practice, performance and security considerations, compatibility and usability, and a clear pros/cons breakdown to help you decide whether it fits your needs.

What Stealthy does (at a glance)

Stealthy provides an on/off switch for routing browser traffic through a proxy (often via external proxy services) and for blocking or altering certain signals websites use to detect or track visitors. It’s designed for users who want a simple, no-friction way to change how websites see their location and connection without installing a full VPN or complex privacy stack.

Key short facts

• Primary function: toggle proxy routing for browser traffic.
• Interface: compact toolbar button with quick enable/disable.
• Target users: casual users who want simple location/proxy control.

Features

• Proxy toggle: The core feature is a single-click enable/disable control to route Firefox requests through a proxy. Depending on the build and settings, it may support lists of proxy servers or rely on external proxy providers.
• Per-site rules: Many versions let you whitelist or blacklist sites so some domains bypass the proxy while others use it, giving flexibility for sites that block proxies or require real IPs.
• IP/location spoofing: By using a proxy endpoint, the extension can change the visible IP address and perceived country/location.
• Cookie/session handling aids: Some variants include quick controls to delete cookies or isolate session data when toggling modes, although this is not as extensive as dedicated cookie-management extensions.
• Lightweight footprint: Designed to be simple and unobtrusive in the toolbar, with minimal background processes compared to full VPN clients.
• Compatibility with Firefox features: Works as a normal WebExtension and can coexist with other privacy extensions, though interaction varies depending on other extensions’ behavior and Firefox’s proxy settings.

Usability and interface

Stealthy emphasizes usability. The main UI is a toolbar icon that changes state when the proxy is active. A small popup typically allows:

• Enabling/disabling the proxy.
• Selecting or cycling proxy locations (if multiple proxies are configured).
• Managing per-site rules (allow/deny proxy usage).
• Quick access to a basic settings page.

For non-technical users, the simple toggle and visual state indicator make it easy to use. Advanced configuration—custom proxy lists, authentication, or detailed tunneling settings—may be limited or require manual entries in the extension options.

Performance and reliability

• Speed: Because Stealthy routes traffic through a proxy, browsing speed depends primarily on the selected proxy’s quality and location. A nearby, well-resourced proxy can be fast; public or overloaded proxies will slow browsing.
• Resource use: The extension itself is lightweight. It does not run a local VPN process, so memory/CPU impact is minimal relative to full VPN apps.
• Reliability: Stability depends on how proxies are managed. If the extension includes dynamic proxy lists, connection stability mirrors the list quality. Some users may encounter occasional dropouts or failovers if proxy endpoints are unreliable.

Privacy and security considerations

• Anonymity: Stealthy changes your apparent IP by routing traffic through a proxy, but this does not equal full anonymity. Browser fingerprinting, account logins, cookies, and other identifiers can still reveal you unless additional measures are used.
• Trust in proxy providers: When you route traffic through a proxy, that proxy operator can see unencrypted traffic and metadata (unless the site uses HTTPS). Choose reputable proxies or providers if privacy is a priority.
• No system-wide protection: Stealthy affects Firefox only. Other apps on your device continue to use your regular network connection.
• Encryption: Stealthy does not encrypt traffic beyond what HTTPS provides. It’s not a substitute for a VPN if you need encryption of non-browser traffic or machine-wide protection.
• Updates and maintenance: Extensions rely on developers for security updates. Check extension metadata and reviews for maintenance frequency and responsiveness to vulnerabilities.

Compatibility

• Firefox versions: As a WebExtension, Stealthy typically supports modern releases of Firefox on desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux). Mobile compatibility varies and may be limited or unavailable on Firefox for Android or iOS.
• Interaction with other extensions: It usually coexists with other privacy tools (uBlock Origin, Cookie managers, etc.), but proxy routing can change behaviors of cookie/session rules or anti-fraud mechanisms on some sites.
• Sites with anti-proxy detection: Streaming services, banking sites, or some corporate portals may detect and block proxy traffic. Per-site rules help, but success is site-dependent.

Who should use Stealthy

• Good fit:
  • Users who want a fast, simple way to change their browser IP/location for casual tasks (testing region-specific content, light geo-unblocking).
  • People who prefer a minimal interface and don’t need full-device VPNs.
• Not a good fit:
  • Users requiring strong anonymity against advanced fingerprinting or jurisdictional threats.
  • Anyone needing system-wide encryption or protection for non-browser apps.
  • People who must ensure sensitive traffic never traverses third-party proxies.

Alternatives to consider

• Full VPN services (NordVPN, Proton VPN, Mullvad): system-wide protection, stronger encryption, often better reliability for streaming and privacy.
• Dedicated proxy managers (FoxyProxy): advanced proxy rule management and multiple proxy profiles.
• Browser privacy stacks: combining script blockers, anti-fingerprinting extensions, cookie managers, and VPNs for layered protection.

Pros

• Simple, intuitive one-click control.
• Lightweight with minimal resource overhead in Firefox.
• Per-site rules allow flexible proxy usage for sites that must use or avoid proxies.
• Useful for casual geo-testing and light region-unblocking.

Cons

• Privacy depends on proxy trustworthiness; not a full anonymity solution.
• No system-wide encryption or protection for non-browser apps.
• Performance entirely tied to proxy quality—public proxies can be slow or unreliable.
• Some sites may block proxy traffic; success is inconsistent.
• Mobile/browser variability; may not be available or functional on all Firefox platforms.

Practical tips if you choose Stealthy

• Use reputable, paid proxy services when privacy or reliability matters.
• Combine with HTTPS-only, tracker-blocking, and cookie-management extensions to reduce leakage from cookies and trackers.
• Use per-site rules to allow your bank or payment sites to bypass the proxy to avoid account blocks.
• Regularly update the extension and review its permissions and developer reputation.

Conclusion

Stealthy for Firefox is a practical, easy-to-use browser extension for people who want a lightweight way to route browser traffic through proxies and quickly change their apparent location. It excels at simplicity and minimal resource use, but it is not a replacement for a full VPN or a comprehensive privacy toolkit. Use it for casual geo-testing, light privacy tweaks, and convenience — but don’t rely on it alone for strong anonymity or system-wide security.