Best Tips for Safer Browsing
Overview
Nowadays, we use a variety of browsers to facilitate visiting the World Wide Web. Windows users typically use browsers like Internet Explorer and Edge. Mac users, on the other hand, use the traditional browser for Mac computers, Apple Safari. For a better experience, however, Linux, Mac, and Microsoft users utilize a variety of web browsers like Chrome, Tor Browser, Mozilla Firefox, and so on.
Since individuals all over the globe make use of these browsers frequently, it is crucial that cybersecurity levels on them should be enhanced. Web browsers are used to receive mail containing sensitive information, make financial transactions, and facilitate access to social media accounts. The data accessible to them should be available to you alone.
Who you need to be protecting your Information From
Most browsers aren’t set up by default to provide maximum cybersecurity of information. This could lead to different issues such as total control of the computer through installed malware and phishing of login details. There’s also the issue of organizations and the government having a hold of your personal information via the tracking of your internet activity.
Because of these numerous risks that abound in the internet space, you need to know the browsers that come with the best levels of security. It’s just like how it is in sports; the best strategy works when you have the right team. The browsers with the best level of security will be discussed below.
Secure Browsers for Surfing the Internet
The best browsers are mentioned with the features that make them so secure explained. They are ranked in order of increasing cybersecurity.
- Brave
Brave is a new browser that was launched in 2016. Its team releases updates for the browser every 8 to 9 weeks to make certain security loopholes are reduced. There are settings in the application that allow you to choose the type of browsing information you intend to wipe off once you close the browser.
Brave also has a feature that blocks advertisements from tracking your online activity. To further cement its place in areas that place importance on cybersecurity, the web browser introduced its cryptocurrency token, Basic Attention Token (BAT), to digital currency enthusiasts.
- Mozilla Firefox
Firefox is a popular browser highly used by individuals who place value on cybersecurity. The browser releases updates every 6 to 10 weeks to boost security. One of the reasons Firefox is trusted by web surfers is that it is run by a non-profit organization. Hence, selling information for monetary gain to the government would be out of the question for the firm behind the browser, Mozilla.
The browser application offers security against phishing and malware and notifies its users in events where websites attempt to install add-ons. Firefox blocks out trackers that aim to observe your online activity. It also contains an arsenal of add-ons you can install from its store to build on your internet privacy.
Firefox is the only popularly used browser that allows anyone to examine its code.
- Tor Browser
Tor Browser is the safest browser on this list. It was developed in 2002 and its mission is to provide anonymous access to the internet for users. The web browser facilitates this by bouncing your communications around thousands of computers. Updates for Tor Browsers are released every 5 to 21 days.
Tor Browser never tracks user activity and wipes off cookies after a user’s browsing session. The browser also has a feature that secures users from websites that attempt to fingerprint browsing history.
The browser aided the boom of Bitcoin, the premier and most dominant cryptocurrency in the world. The dark web shop that used Bitcoin as a means of payment, Silk Road, was mostly accessed by Tor Browser users.
Further enhancing your Browser’s Cybersecurity
Since you know the most secure browsers you can use, you need to further build your security on them. Here are the different ways you can improve cybersecurity levels on your browser.
- Using a VPN
A VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. A VPN creates a secure tunnel connecting your device and the internet. By encrypting the data, it ensures that your online traffic is private and protected. Apart from shielding you from malicious individuals and corporations attempting to spy on your data, it would enhance your anonymity when you’re browsing too.
A VPN also offers several benefits such as allowing access to geo-blocked services. It also masks your IP address which typically contains your location and changes it to that of the VPN server you’re connected to. You can always start with a free VPN trial.
- Block Pop-ups
Pop-ups are annoying. They momentarily disturb us from an activity. Some of them could contain unfitting content. However, what’s worse than the usual pop-up is one that introduces malware or ransomware to your system.
While pop-ups from your computer can’t be blocked, browser pop-ups can be restricted on your browser. There are browser settings that you could activate to stop all manner of pop-ups showing on your browser.
- Frequently Update your Browsers and Add-ons
Your web browser is what facilitates your connection to the internet. Developers frequently update browsers to ensure you get the best level of security. The previous version of browsers are frequently targeted by hackers to introduce malware into a computer using the outdated version.
You also need to update the add-ons you use. Even if the add-on serves to enhance security, you still need to update it to prevent viruses from getting into your system through security loopholes in them.
If you’re not certain you’d remember to update your browser or add-ons, you could activate the option for automatic updates for both.
Conclusion
Since sectors of our economic system like communication and finance run on the internet, there is a need to improve our cybersecurity levels. If not, your private data could be leaked or used against you.
The first major step in enhancing cybersecurity levels is to identify secure browsers like Tor Browser and Firefox. The second major step is to further improve security levels on them by utilizing a VPN, updating the browsers and plug-ins frequently, and blocking pop-ups that could introduce malware to your computer system.
