Much higher on the list are basic protection from dangers on the internet, like browser based exploits. So Noscript is one major selling point for Firefox due to most browser based exploits using Javascript. Even if you whitelist all the sites you're still more secure with noscript than without simply because it blacklists the unknown sites you don't know about, the ones that e-mail links open or pop-ups force your browser to load through various tricks.

Edit: While I'm musing on this, I wonder if NoScript could use a UI overhaul. A little icon that says "Something broken? Try activating these domains" with some heuristics e.g. first try allowing the current domain, then stuff on common CDNs, then maybe digging into DNS records or SSL certs for common ownership...

It's possible to whitelist (and blacklist) specific targets, including local site, and a set of specified third-party targets.

That said, overall, it's a bit of a complexity bunghole, and may not be for the general public. But then, computers in general aren't, in many ways, either.

Not only to have pre-built lists but also to share your own list between devices.

I also cover basics like using better passwords, not reusing them and ways to keep them safe (keepass, last pass, a password memo book, etc.). And I emphasize over and over again to keep your software up to date. Let companies that have experts on staff do the work for you. Update Windows, your web browser and all Internet connect applications regularly (also applicable to iOS, the App Store and the Play Store).

Finally, I cover basic anonymity tools like ad-blockers and Disconnect.

The final paragraph loses a lot of my clientele, so NoScript is a non-starter for them.

When I try explaining this to other people, even other engineers, they usually tangent into a discussion about how paranoia and an inability to trust are unhealthy. And they stand their ground in the face of mounting evidence, insisting the designer is a humble, well-meaning person like themselves, and would have no reason for doing such evil things.

But people who come to these lectures or cryptoparties usually have a desire to do something about their personal IT-security so hopefully they can find the motivation.

Strong consumer protections exist in many developed nations which limit your liability, it is the banks who stand to lose. No doubt it can be a hassle if your credit card number is stolen, But that card is the bank's property. You just report any fraudulent transactions and get a new card if necessary. The more important thing to protect is your private data, you can't get that privacy back.

Also, NoScript is awesome and I highly recommend people try it. It can be fiddly to get working at first but a surprisingly high percentage of websites work better without having to white-list anything. It also helps with privacy by blocking trackers like Google Analytics, especialy on sites like Troy's which lack a privacy policy and do not provide any warning at all about third-party trackers to site visitors. Pretty new site redesign, same lack of transparency as before.

* By 'regular users' I mean when I say "Try an ad-blocking extension with your browser, add it from the menu" and they say "What is the menu?" and we build their knowledge up from there... . It can be frustrating for all but I highly recommend it as it keeps you grounded and provides balance for the HN bubble I sometimes find myself in.

You almost have to be an experienced webdev to recognize which domains are necessary and which aren't.

But this is also why I emphasize that you can freely use the global whitelisting option and still be much safer than without noscript. Simply because the sites that will get you are often the sites that open unexpectedly. Unknown domains that you did not request.

Is that your choice or user demand?

Confidentiality is one of the pillars of security, and beyond a doubt the most common attack on user security is on confidentiaility by commercial and government organizations.

If someone got access to my banking details, they could do far more damage than just make my bank statements public.

Now I've dealt with identity theft and credit card fraud, and I work in digital marketing, so I know which one I'd choose: Nobody is going to visualise my individual browsing history, and even if they did (for what reason I can't imagine), I can't imagine what they'd do with it! I can imagine someone might try to build a demographic profile about me to sell me stuff that I'd like, but that's good because it would be stuff that I would like.