Windows 7: Internet Explorer - Allow or Prevent Websites to Request Your Location

   Information

Geolocation is a feature in new versions of web browsers. For example, Internet Explorer 9 (IE9) and Internet Explorer 10 (IE10). This allows websites to be able to keep a track of your physical location in order to provide custom localized services and search results. This may prove to be helpful sometimes, but could also compromise privacy.

This tutorial will show you how to allow or prevent websites to request your geolocation (physical location) in IE9, IE10, and Firefox.

   Note

From: How to Turn Google Chrome Geolocation Off

The first time you visit a website that requests geolocation information, the browser should display the Google Location Service’s terms and conditions. You will have the option to allow or disallow the browser from sending your location data. The screenshot below is an example how a website asks for your location information.

What is sent to websites that requires location data?

Your IP address is sent to the website that requests the location information. If you are using a laptop or other wireless-enabled device, the MAC address and signal strength can be sent as well. The browser should not save location data, nor are any cookies generated by websites that request the location information. Other websites will not be able to retrieve it, but it’s recommended to regularly clean your temporary Internet files, browsing history and stored cookies.

OPTION ONE

Allow or Prevent Websites to Request your Location in IE9 and IE10

1. Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click/tap on the Internet Options icon.

A) Go to step 3.

OR

2. In Internet Explorer, click/tap on Tools (Menu bar or gear icon) and Internet Options.

3. Click/tap on the Privacy tab. (see screenshot below)

4. To Allow Websites to Request Your Location in IE9 and IE10

A) Uncheck the Never allow websites to request your physical location box, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot above)
NOTE: This is the default setting.

5. To Prevent Websites to Request Your Location in IE9 and IE10

A) Check the Never allow websites to request your physical location box, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot above)

6. Close and reopen IE9 or IE10 to apply.

OPTION TWO

Allow or Prevent Websites to Request Your Location in Firefox

1. Open Firefox.

2. Type about:config in the Firefox address bar, and press enter. (see screenshot below)

3. Click/tap on the I'll be careful, I promise button. (see screenshot below)

4. To Allow Websites to Request Your Location in Firefox
WARNING: Be real careful to not double click on any other entry and change it's value.

A) Scroll down a bit and double click on the geo.enabled entry to change the "value" from false to true (default setting). (see screenshot below)

B) If listed, double click on geo.wifi.uri, type https://www.google.com/loc/json, and click on OK. (see screenshots below)

C) Firefox will now look like this. (see screenshot below)

5. To Prevent Websites to Request Your Location in Firefox

WARNING: Be real careful to not double click on any other entry and change it's value.

A) Scroll down a bit and double click on the geo.enabled entry to change the "value" from true (default setting) to false. (see screenshot below)

B) Double click/tap on the geo.wifi.uri. (see screenshot below)

C) Type localhost, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)

D) Firefox will now look like this. (see screenshot below)