JavaScript, by default, is enabled on most browsers to load dynamic content such as real-time chat messages, videos, audio, etc., and improve user experience.

However, you can modify the browser settings to disable it. But should it be disabled? And what happens when you do?

In this article, we have tried to answer several questions like these and our thoughts on whether opting out is a good option.

Enable/disable JavaScript in the browser

JavaScript or more commonly written as Javascript is one of the most popular programming languages ​​in the world.

Most browsers have similar settings to enable/disable it, but may vary slightly from each other.

Nevertheless, you can skip straight to the section mentioning the method for your particular browser.

On Chromium

1. Launch the Chrome browser and click on the three vertical dots in the upper right corner of the window.
2. Move towards Settings > Privacy and Security.
3. Now select Site settings from the right pane.
4. Scroll down to the Content section and click JavaScript.
5. Then choose the Sites can use Javascript to enable javascript. Likewise, choose the Do not allow sites to use JavaScript ability to disable JavaScript.

On Android Chromium

1. Open the Chrome app.
2. Tap the three-dot menu icon in the upper right corner and select Settings.
3. In the Advanced section, tap Site settings.
4. Then press JavaScript and enable/disable it by toggling the button next to it.

On Firefox

1. Open the Firefox browser on your system.
2. Paste or type about:config in its URL bar at the top.
3. Click it Accept the risk and carry on button to continue.
4. Now type and search javascript.enabled in the search bar.
5. Set the value next to true if you want to enable JavaScript. Otherwise, set it to fake. You can double-click or click the toggle icon (which looks like two half-arrows) to change its value.

On Microsoft Edge

1. Open Microsoft Edge, click the three horizontal dots icon and select Settings.
2. Now in the left sidebar select Cookies and site permissions.
3. Then choose the “JavaScript” option under the All Permissions section.
4. Activate the button next to Allowed (recommended) to enable JavaScript. Similarly, turn off the button to disable JavaScript.

About Opera

1. Launch the Opera browser.
2. Click the Easy Setup icon in the upper right corner next to your profile icon and select the icon Access full browser settings option.
3. Choose the Privacy & Security tab, then click Site settings from the right pane.
4. Now click JavaScript under the Content section.
5. Select Sites can use Javascript option to enable JavaScript and Do not allow sites to use JavaScript to turn it off.

On Safari

1. Launch the Safari browser.
2. Now click Safari next to the Apple icon in the upper left corner of the screen.
3. Select the Preferences option.
4. Under the Security tab, check the box Enable JavaScript check the box to enable JavaScript and uncheck it to disable it. You can find this option next to the web content field.

On the mobile version of Safari

1. Open the Settings app and select Safari from the list.
2. Now scroll down the screen and tap Advanced.
3. Next, toggle the button next to JavaScript to enable or disable it.

Enable/disable JavaScript for a specific website

When you reach the JavaScript option, you have the option to specify which sites can/cannot use JavaScript. Here’s how you can do it in Chrome.

1. Navigate to the JavaScript section as mentioned above in the article.
2. Under Custom Behavior, add the URL of the website you want to allow/deny JavaScript.

For mobile browsers, you can find a similar setting under Add a site exception.

Disable JavaScript using Devtools

You can disable JavaScript on Chrome using DevTools. Here’s how you can do it.

1. Open the Chrome browser.
2. Hurry CTRL + Gap + I key to open the Inspect Items section. You can also right-click on an empty space in a browser and select the Inspect option.
3. Now press Ctrl + Shift + P and search for “javascript.”
4. Choose the Disable JavaScript (Debugger).

To note: This will disable JavaScript for a particular site where you performed the above actions.

What happens when you disable Javascript on the browser?

Most browsers on the web rely on JavaScript to provide complex functionality and provide a better user experience. So if you disable it on your browser then it may break the website.

In other words, the sites will not work as expected. You will not be able to interact with the website as you will not be able to add new comments, chat in real time and view any dynamic content, such as a new message. Also, the layout of the content can be disoriented.

Also, you may not be able to log into the website in the first place. Also, you won’t see any graphics-related content like audio and video. On some websites, you will see a blank page staring at you after disabling JavaScript.

Should JavaScript be disabled?

Few people disable it and mainly for privacy and security reasons. Since disabling JavaScript prevents cookies from being loaded, it is very difficult for the website browser to track your online activities, which improves privacy.

Additionally, you are safe from JavaScript-based exploits and vulnerabilities, as malicious scripts on the site will fail to load and run. Also, it helps eliminate aggravating pop-ups that redirect you somewhere else every time you visit a website.

On the other hand, it is perfectly safe to disable JavaScriptand that is entirely up to you.

However, disabling JavaScript doesn’t necessarily protect you from all sorts of vulnerabilities and web exploits. Also, browsers apply various security mechanisms to prevent you from falling on a malicious website. Either way, always use the latest version of the browser to get extra protection and extra features/features.

Therefore, for a normal user, the disadvantages of disabling JavaScript usually outweigh the few advantages when it is enabled. However, you can enable/disable JavaScript for specific sites and have the best of both worlds.