Internet privacy is one of the hot topics of the age: staying safe from state spying and data collection by third parties is a big business. We even have apps to protect us from our apps!
Yet your approach to web browser privacy and internet privacy starts from the very first click. You should choose a web browser that offers good security and doesn’t compromise on privacy. Yet what’s the most secure web browser around?
In this guide, we’re going to take a look at popular web browsers and help you find the best web browser for your privacy and security requirements. We’ll look at how they keep you safe from malware and other online nasties, as well as how much data they collect on you.
Are you ready to start learning more about web browser privacy and start building a privacy-focused foundation for your web browsing experience? Then read on!
Microsoft Edge
Let’s start out with one of the most popular web browsers, popular by dint of it coming preinstalled on Windows 10. Edge is a surprisingly good web browser for most purposes. While the last few generations of Internet Explorer were something of a disaster, Edge is now based on Chromium and has some very nifty features.
For one, the browser has SmartScreen support, which can block malicious web pages. For most people, this will prove to be a reliable security feature that can stop you from visiting malicious domains.
In terms of other security features, Edge also runs in a sandboxed environment. This means that any malware you mistakenly download will have less of a chance of damaging your machine.
Privacy-wise, Edge has some really nice features. You can send “do not track” requests, which means that cookies and other ad software will have less of a chance of following you around the web. You can also block pop-ups with ease, thanks to a built-in pop-up blocker.
It’s far from the most sophisticated browser for privacy, but it’s not a bad option, either. If you want a browser that’s easy to use and offers some solid privacy protection, you could do a lot worse than Edge.
Google Chrome
Google Chrome is easily one of the world’s top web browsers. Since its release, it’s grown in popularity with users all around the world. Yet Google’s somewhat spotty history when it comes to privacy may cause you some concern: is this based in fact?
Chrome offers some good security features: like Edge, it will block access to malicious websites, and there is a whole host of different extensions out there that users can install to boost their security.
There are some solid privacy settings under the hood, too. If you’re willing to go digging for them, you can make Chrome fairly tight-lipped when it comes to your data.
Chrome is also available everywhere, which means you can have this decent experience across a range of devices. Can you install Google Chrome on a Mac or on a phone? The answer is yes!
Given Google’s record, however, Chrome is not your best bet when it comes to staying private online.
Mozilla Firefox
Firefox was, for a long time, the favorite browser of privacy and security needs around the world. It offered baked-in privacy features and a great range of extensions. What is it like today?
The good news is that it still comes with a great selection of privacy and security features. For instance, it can block pop-ups and malicious pages, it can stop people from tracking you around the web, and it also comes with phishing protection.
What’s more, it’s an open-source browser, too. This means that all the code that describes its functions and behavior has been looked at by the community. If there were ever something concerning, the community would raise the alarm.
This means that you can rest easy, knowing that your privacy is safe with Firefox.
That being said, this statement following the Capitol riots has caused some controversy. How much it bothers you from privacy or free speech viewpoint could affect your choice to use the browser.
Brave
A fairly new player on the browser scene, Brave’s raison d’etre is privacy. It offers some terrific tools to safeguard its users including a built-in AdBlock feature, tracking and script protection, and anti-fingerprinting technology. This means that by using Brave, you’re already protected against a lot of insidious online activity.
There are some concerns about Brave’s built-in advertising, which drives profit to Brave’s creators. You do have to opt-in to this system, however, so it’s not a massive concern.
Brave uses Chromium as a base, which, while being stripped of all the Google-ness of Chrome, could still pose some concerns. It is open-source, so it’s probable that any concerns would come to light quickly.
If you’re searching for a browser that has fantastic privacy features and don’t mind going outside the mainstream world of Edge, Chrome, and Firefox, then Brave is a good choice.
A Word on Tor Browser
If you want the most secure browser and are willing to sacrifice some speed and functionality, Tor Browser is for you. This browser anonymizes your traffic by routing it through many different servers and also gives you access to the deep web.
It is, however, a lot slower, due to these security procedures. You’re also very limited in terms of extensions and the like, as the browser is already configured for maximum privacy and you’re likely to sabotage said privacy by installing extensions.
While it’s the most secure browser, it’s not the most practical. Only use when you need to become anonymous.
What’s the Most Secure Web Browser?
So, what is the most secure web browser? Any of the options that we’ve discussed could serve you well. Remember that a lot of the responsibility for being private falls upon you and your behavior online, so stay smart and stay vigilant!
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