Site permissions

To make browsing the internet safe and convenient, the Yandex Browser beta version applies various processing rules to website elements. It blocks pop-ups, warns you when a website requests your location, and so on. To change Yandex Browser behavior for all sites or the selected one, go to settings or use the Protect panel. For example, you can prevent all sites from launching JavaScript or allow a particular site to access your camera.

  1. Which handling rules can be changed
  2. Changes the handling rules for the current site
  3. Changing handling rules for all sites
  4. Setting and deleting exceptions for selected sites
  5. “Do not track”

Which handling rules can be changed

  • For the current site: You can change the handling rules for the main list of elements in the Protect toolbar.
  • For all sites: You can change the handling rules for a broader list of elements in your settings.

Elements that you can manage using the Protect toolbar

Note. Icons from the table are displayed in the SmartBox on the right. They show handling rules for the current site. To change a handling rule, click the icon.
Content settings Handling rules
Default Alternative rules and icons in the SmartBox
User location
  • Ask permission — when a website tries to detect your location, the browser will ask you to allow data transfer.
  • Allow — allows a website (such as Yandex Maps) to detect your location without asking for permission each time.
  • Block — prohibits websites to determine your location.
Camera
  • Ask permission — If a website (for example, a portal for video conferences) tries to access your camera, the browser will warn you.
  •  Allow — Allows the website to access your camera automatically. For an HTTP website, this setting will remain for the duration of your session. HTTPS websites will be able to access your camera during future sessions as well.
  •  Block — Does not allow the website to access your camera.
Microphone
  • Ask permission — If a website (for example, a portal for video conferences) tries to access your microphone, the browser will warn you.
  • Allow — Allows the website to access your microphone automatically. For an HTTP website, this setting will remain for the duration of your session. HTTPS websites will be able to access your microphone during future sessions as well.
  •  Block — Does not allow the website to access your microphone.
Notifications
  • Ask permission — the first time a website tries to send a notification, the browser will ask for your permission to show them. In Incognito mode, the browser blocks website notifications.
  •  Allow — Allows a website (for example, Yandex Calendar) to show notifications.
  • Block — does not allow the website to show notifications.
JavaScript
  • Allow — launching JavaScript is allowed by default.
  •  Block — does not allow the website to launch JavaScript. Some JavaScript scripts steal passwords and infect the computer. This option allows you to block the website from running any JavaScript. It will enhance security but can prevent the website from working correctly.
Images
  • Allow — by default, images are displayed.
  •  Block — does not allow the website to show images. It will load faster without images.
Pop-up windows
  • Block — by default, pop-ups are blocked, as they clutter the screen and are often used for banner ads. If a site tries to open pop-up windows, the SmartBox displays the  icon.
  • Allow — the website will be allowed to open pop-up windows.
Background sync
  • Allow — by default, devices are synced in the background.
  • Block — prevents background browser syncing on all devices.
Automatic downloads
  • Ask permission — if immediately after downloading the first file, a website tries to download a second one, the browser will warn you.
  •  Allow — Allows the website to download multiple files automatically without asking for permission each time.
  • Block — Doesn't allow the website to download files except those you selected.
MIDI devices
  • Ask permission — Yandex Browser will notify you if a website requests access to electronic musical instruments that use the MIDI interface.
  • Allow — Allows the website to access MIDI devices automatically.
  • Block — Does not allow the website to access MIDI devices.
Protected mode
  • Disabled — doesn't allow the strict verification of certificates. This mode is enabled automatically when you open payment pages on bank and payment system websites.
  •  Enabled — Allows strict verification of certificates and disables all Yandex Browser extensions.
Content settings Handling rules
Default Alternative rules and icons in the SmartBox
User location
  • Ask permission — when a website tries to detect your location, the browser will ask you to allow data transfer.
  • Allow — allows a website (such as Yandex Maps) to detect your location without asking for permission each time.
  • Block — prohibits websites to determine your location.
Camera
  • Ask permission — If a website (for example, a portal for video conferences) tries to access your camera, the browser will warn you.
  •  Allow — Allows the website to access your camera automatically. For an HTTP website, this setting will remain for the duration of your session. HTTPS websites will be able to access your camera during future sessions as well.
  •  Block — Does not allow the website to access your camera.
Microphone
  • Ask permission — If a website (for example, a portal for video conferences) tries to access your microphone, the browser will warn you.
  • Allow — Allows the website to access your microphone automatically. For an HTTP website, this setting will remain for the duration of your session. HTTPS websites will be able to access your microphone during future sessions as well.
  •  Block — Does not allow the website to access your microphone.
Notifications
  • Ask permission — the first time a website tries to send a notification, the browser will ask for your permission to show them. In Incognito mode, the browser blocks website notifications.
  •  Allow — Allows a website (for example, Yandex Calendar) to show notifications.
  • Block — does not allow the website to show notifications.
JavaScript
  • Allow — launching JavaScript is allowed by default.
  •  Block — does not allow the website to launch JavaScript. Some JavaScript scripts steal passwords and infect the computer. This option allows you to block the website from running any JavaScript. It will enhance security but can prevent the website from working correctly.
Images
  • Allow — by default, images are displayed.
  •  Block — does not allow the website to show images. It will load faster without images.
Pop-up windows
  • Block — by default, pop-ups are blocked, as they clutter the screen and are often used for banner ads. If a site tries to open pop-up windows, the SmartBox displays the  icon.
  • Allow — the website will be allowed to open pop-up windows.
Background sync
  • Allow — by default, devices are synced in the background.
  • Block — prevents background browser syncing on all devices.
Automatic downloads
  • Ask permission — if immediately after downloading the first file, a website tries to download a second one, the browser will warn you.
  •  Allow — Allows the website to download multiple files automatically without asking for permission each time.
  • Block — Doesn't allow the website to download files except those you selected.
MIDI devices
  • Ask permission — Yandex Browser will notify you if a website requests access to electronic musical instruments that use the MIDI interface.
  • Allow — Allows the website to access MIDI devices automatically.
  • Block — Does not allow the website to access MIDI devices.
Protected mode
  • Disabled — doesn't allow the strict verification of certificates. This mode is enabled automatically when you open payment pages on bank and payment system websites.
  •  Enabled — Allows strict verification of certificates and disables all Yandex Browser extensions.

Elements that you can manage from your settings

Note. Icons from the table are displayed in the SmartBox on the right. They show handling rules for the current site. To change a handling rule, click the icon.

In the settings, you can manage all elements from the Protect panel and change handling rules for the following elements:

Website element Handling rules
Default Alternative rules and icons in the SmartBox
Cookies
  • Allowed — by default, all websites are allowed to save cookies.
  •  Not allowed — blocks a website from collecting information about you (your username, password, or browsing data). Blocking cookies can prevent the website from working correctly.
  • Allowed only for this session — cookies will be deleted immediately after you close the browser.
  • Block third-party data and files — blocks a website from collecting information for third-party sites.
Protocol processing
  • Allowed — by default, protocol handlers (for example, webcal or mailto) are allowed to operate when you click special links.
  • Not allowed — protocol processing will be banned on all sites.
Protected content
  • Allow protected content to play — by default, copy-protected electronic books, music, and other content are played in Yandex Browser.
  • Allow use of device IDs — by default, the device ID is checked when playing protected content.
  • Do not allow protected content to play.
  • Do not allow checking the device ID when opening protected content.
USB devices You can connect a site to a USB device (in order to, for example, save heart-rate monitor data found on a webpage).
  • Follow the Sites advanced settings link to view and configure connected devices.
Website element Handling rules
Default Alternative rules and icons in the SmartBox
Cookies
  • Allowed — by default, all websites are allowed to save cookies.
  •  Not allowed — blocks a website from collecting information about you (your username, password, or browsing data). Blocking cookies can prevent the website from working correctly.
  • Allowed only for this session — cookies will be deleted immediately after you close the browser.
  • Block third-party data and files — blocks a website from collecting information for third-party sites.
Protocol processing
  • Allowed — by default, protocol handlers (for example, webcal or mailto) are allowed to operate when you click special links.
  • Not allowed — protocol processing will be banned on all sites.
Protected content
  • Allow protected content to play — by default, copy-protected electronic books, music, and other content are played in Yandex Browser.
  • Allow use of device IDs — by default, the device ID is checked when playing protected content.
  • Do not allow protected content to play.
  • Do not allow checking the device ID when opening protected content.
USB devices You can connect a site to a USB device (in order to, for example, save heart-rate monitor data found on a webpage).
  • Follow the Sites advanced settings link to view and configure connected devices.

Changes the handling rules for the current site

You can change an element-handling rule for the current site in the Protect toolbar.

  1. Open the webpage.
  2. In the SmartBox, click the connection status icon.
  3. The Protect panel opens. In the connection status section, click Learn more.
  4. Find the site element in the Permissions section.
  5. Select the option you need in the drop-down list: Block, Allow, Enabled or Disabled.

Then you will see that option for the changed element in the Protect window that appears. It is easy to turn an option on or off, but this setting will only apply to the current site.

Changing handling rules for all sites

Element processing rules for all sites can be changed in Yandex Browser settings:

  1. Click   → Settings → Websites.
  2. At the bottom of the page, click Advanced site settings.
  3. Set your element processing rules.

Setting and deleting exceptions for selected sites

If Yandex Browser rules interfere with how you use a website, you can set an exception for this site. For example, you can allow Yandex Maps to determine your location automatically, but have all other sites ask for your permission.

To set an exception:

  1. Click   → Settings → Websites.
  2. At the bottom of the page, click Advanced site settings.
  3. In the section with the name of the desired element, click Sites advanced settings.
  4. Go to the Allowed or Not allowed tab and click Add in the upper-right corner.
  5. Enter the website address in the box. You can use masks for setting an address. For example, if you write https://[*.]example.ru/, the exception will be valid for a domain and all of its subdomains:
  6. Click Add.
    Note. You can always move a site from the Allowed to the Prohibited list and vice versa. To do this, hover your mouse cursor over the website and click Deny or Allow to the right.

To remove an exception:

  1. Click   → Settings → Websites.
  2. At the bottom of the page, click Advanced site settings.
  3. In the section with the name of the desired element, click Sites advanced settings.
  4. Hover over the necessary site and click the Remove link that appears on the right.

“Do not track”

Some websites find out the URLs of pages you visited and use this information to display ads, gather statistics, and so on.

To prohibit sites from collecting information about what you do online:

  1. Click   → Settings → System.
  2. Open Personal data settings.
  3. Enable the Send a "Do Not Track" request to sites option.
Attention. Not all websites honor the Do Not Track request. Even if you turn on Do Not Track, many websites will continue to collect and use your browsing data.