The best method to access the internet safely is to use a secure browser. The internet is becoming increasingly dangerous. Whether you want quicker performance, better security, or more freedom through downloaded extensions, Secure Browsers can make a big difference in your everyday browsing.
It is prudent to consider the larger options available and select Secure Browsers and a safe browser that will prevent your most sensitive data from being stolen and/or sold to third parties.
What are secure browsers
Secure Browsers’ security features, such as URL filtering, download protection, and the “do not track” function, have revolutionised standard desktop browsers like Chrome and Firefox. In a sense, all browsers may now legitimately claim to be “safe.”
This implies that today’s Secure Browsers are more specialised and focused on the issue of user privacy, giving the user back control and allowing them to opt out of data gathering systems like those employed by Google.
What Makes a Browser Unsafe
In many respects, using the wrong browser might jeopardise your online security. Here are some factors to consider while evaluating your current browser and deciding whether or not to switch to Secure Browsers:
Software weak spots
If you do not use a Secure Browser, hackers can use these vulnerabilities as access points to steal your data. Poorly configured browsers and programming mistakes are the most common causes.
Despite the fact that they can be rectified with software patches, developers are sometimes ignorant of the issue until it has already been exploited by hackers. This means that if you aren’t using a Secure Browser, you could be at risk for weeks, if not years, until they offer a remedy.
Sensitive data vulnerability
If you’ve given your browser permission to save sensitive data, such as your login credentials, this poses an additional risk. The hacker will have access to your passwords if your Secure Browser is compromised. If you use internet banking, this is very perilous.
Unsafe browser extensions
These can be used by cybercriminals to gain access to your device. Hackers gained access to the Google Chrome Web Store in one case after receiving a developer’s password through a phishing email. Before the developers realised they’d lost control of their programme, they utilised this to hijack multiple extensions and install malicious upgrades.
Recording your online activity
Some browsers, such as Google Chrome, keep track of your internet activities in order to serve you relevant adverts. While this isn’t inherently harmful, it is a significant invasion of your privacy.
Top 10 Most Secure Browsers
1. Tor Browser
Tor (The Onion Router) is a secure browser that hides your online activity and location by routing all of your surfing through numerous anonymous servers, obscuring your location and making it difficult (but not impossible) to figure out who’s doing what online. Tor is one of the safest browsers available. The Tor network attempts to offer users with true internet anonymity.
It provides a similar purpose as using a VPN in various respects. The Secure Browser offers a high level of real anonymity at the expense of everyday online use. This Secure Browser additionally deletes sensitive information like cookies and history when you close the browser, and it also allows us to set up SOCKS programmes to use Tor for more privacy.
Additionally, one of the primary weapons in The Secure Browser’s arsenal is innovative routing and encryption algorithms that keep your digital trails secure enough that they cannot be traced back to you. On Windows, Mac, and Linux, the Tor Browser can be used without installing any software. It may be launched from a USB flash drive and comes with pre-configured security safeguards to secure your anonymity.
2. Mozilla Firefox
Firefox is one of the safest and quickest browsers available, with excellent security and privacy features. Though the UI isn’t for everyone, it’s still a decent alternative for the majority of people and worth checking out.
Firefox Secure Browsers include a number of security features that any internet user would enjoy, including anti-phishing and anti-malware protection, blocking reported attack websites/web forgeries, and informing users when a site tries to install add-ons.
In comparison to its competitors, Firefox is a relatively lightweight and secure browser.
Firefox also has a function called “Content Blocking,” which allows users to ban all trackers that the browser detects. Users with a wide range of add-ons have a lot of options when it comes to enhancing their online privacy.
3. Brave Browser
Brave is a popular modern secure browser that is growing in popularity. This Secure Browser is a project by Brendan Eich, who used to work for Firefox maker Mozilla, and its goal is to keep you safe online while also finding a better way to display you ads.
The efficiency of its tracker blocking solutions, on the other hand, is undeniable. By default, the Secure browser apps block advertisements and place strong limits on the information that websites can gather about you through cookies and tracking scripts.
You can disable trackers, scripts, and fingerprinting technologies that allow websites to identify your specific device. This Secure Browser also tries to prevent phishing attempts on the internet and uses HTTPS encryption whenever possible. It’s a comprehensive product with a well-balanced combination of simplicity and power.
4. Chromium
Google Chrome is open-source at its heart, but it is packed with private Google-specific code. Chromium is a wholly open-source version of Google Chrome that caters to more privacy- and open-source users.
The Chromium browser is similar to an unfinished version of Chrome, except it requires less code to incorporate third-party software like as Flash, which reduces the complexity that come with additional code.
Because this Secure Browser is open-source, users can check for themselves whether vulnerabilities have been patched, which is not the case with Chrome. As previously stated, you will need to manually upgrade your browser, so be cautious.
Because neither Chrome nor Chromium allow you to stop WebRTC, users are vulnerable to WebRTC leaks, albeit the WebRTC Leak Prevent add-on or a VPN can help.
5. Iridium
Iridium is a safe browser based on Chromium that aims to provide users with a more private and convenient experience than Chrome. To begin with, Iridium’s code is open-source and auditable by anyone. Furthermore, no automatic transmissions will be sent to Google by the browser. They’ll only happen if you let them.
Better RSA encryption, Improved WebRTC security, Do Not Track requests, Not storing passwords by default, Deleting site data (including cookies) on leave, and Blocking third-party cookies by default are just a few of the enhancements included in Iridium Secure Browser. The entire list of enhancements is quite long, so take a look at it right here.
This Secure Browser Privacy Policy, on the other hand, is a little strange in that it doesn’t specify what data the browser logs. Fortunately, the developers claim that your data is encrypted and that you can request or have it deleted at any moment.
6. Waterfox
Waterfox is an open-source Secure Browser clone of Firefox that totally disables telemetry (Mozilla phoning home), which is available in Firefox with little tweaking. Although this Secure Browser claims to be fast, your results may vary when compared to lightweight browsers such as Firefox Quantum.
Waterfox also promises to delete all internet data from your computer, including passwords, cookies, and history, as well as automatically block trackers without the use of addons. Waterfox supports classic Firefox extensions when it comes to addons.
Waterfox has a thriving subreddit, and its inventor claims that it will continue to receive updates and patches, though not as frequently as Firefox. On both the PC and Android platforms, this Secure Browser is available.
7. Pale Moon
Pale Moon is an open-source fork of Firefox that is both lightweight and secure. Many, but not all, classic Firefox add-ons are compatible with it. This Secure Browser is not compatible with Firefox’s new WebExtensions add-ons, but it does feature a growing library of Pale Moon-specific add-ons.
Pale Moon’s code has been upgraded to include code from newer versions of Firefox, but its user interface is still the highly customisable XUL-based front-end that was last seen in Firefox 28. A large choice of custom themes and skins are supported by this Secure Browser.
8. Safari
With each new iOS and macOS release, Apple continues to add anti-tracking technology to Safari, however this isn’t an option if you’re using Windows or Android. When it comes to macOS, Safari is likewise a secure browser.
It has already declared war on third-party tracking cookies that attempt to link your web behaviour across numerous sites, as well as blocking device fingerprinting techniques that attempt to identify you based on how your phone or laptop is configured.
With the release of iOS 13 and macOS Catalina in the autumn, those safeguards will be reinforced even more. When you try to use a password that is too weak on a new website or service, this Secure browser will notify you.
9. Google Chrome
Google Chrome is a terrific browser that, when it first came out, was a true revolution.
However, it has some severe privacy issues, consumes a lot of RAM, and isn’t a very secure browser when it comes to data. For good reason, Google has always been regarded as a leader in browser security.
It also outperforms its competitors in terms of update frequency and checking for malicious downloads. Google Chrome is automatically updated to the most recent version, ensuring that its users have access to the most up-to-date surfing features.
Chrome has the greatest Browserscope security test ratings, and Google has long encouraged hackers to reveal flaws in its own browser so that the firm can fix them.
10. Opera
Opera has a lengthy history and has amassed a modest but devoted following throughout the years. It gained headlines a few years ago for being the first browser to include a built-in VPN, but a recent ownership shift has cast its security and privacy in a new light.
It’s a fast, lightweight, and secure browser that can compete with Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox in terms of features. It is, however, closed source, unlike Firefox and its variants. Although the speeds aren’t as good as we’d like, you can still stream and change your IP address without any problems.
Opera does have a cool feature that determines a WiFi network’s security rating, which is fantastic for those of us who frequently use public WiFi, making it one of the Secure Browsers. The fact that the browser prevents advertisements and disables ad-tracking capabilities is also a plus. Overall, Opera provides a significant amount of privacy and encryption for someone who only uses a VPN occasionally.