- Your online privacy is greatly affected by your browser choice.
- All browsers are not created equal when it comes to protecting your privacy.
- Discover how you can improve privacy for your specific browser.
Web Browser Choice
Privacy and speed are two things most affected by your browser choice.
When looking at the privacy of online browsing, we are talking about cookies. Most people don’t realize that their web browser choice could be leaving them vulnerable to these cookies.There are different kinds of cookies used for different reasons online. While your VPN protects you against potential hackers, your browser choice can protect you against tracking cookies.
What are tracking cookies?
Cookies are used for collecting data about your online activity and preferences. Have you ever searched for something online only to have it show up in a Facebook ad later that week? That’s those cookies hard at work.
Some collect general information and are only temporary. Others can collect more detailed information and stick around awhile.
The kind of cookies that violate your privacy the most are third-party cookies also referred to as “tracking cookies”. These cookies track your searches, location, age, and other online activities. This information is used by advertisers to create specifically targeted ads for you.
Your browser can protect you.
Different browsers have different levels of privacy. Default settings and plugins determine the safety of a browser.
As far as default settings go, the safest browsing experience is Brave. Firefox is also great and Safari is getting better. Any browsers that support plugins, like Chrome, have privacy plug-in options available to you.
While these settings protect you when you’re searching online, it is important to understand that your browser settings can only protect your privacy on that browser. Using different apps or devices can still leave you vulnerable, which is why it’s still important to protect yourself in other ways as well.
Tips for different web browsers
Depending on the web browser you choose, there are different ways you can increase your privacy. Below you will find the best tips for the top four web browsers in 2020:
1. Chrome
Block 3rd party cookies in Chrome settings.
Install the Ghostery plugin; it’s free!
Secure your passwords with a program like LastPass or 1Password.
Make DuckDuckGo the default search engine under Search Engine settings.
2. Firefox
Make sure you are running the latest version of Firefox. There is a new Enhanced Tracking Protection feature with Standard turned on by default.
Turn on “Strict Mode” in Enhanced Tracking Protection settings.
If something does not work for you on the page, reload, and it will switch to standard mode.
Secure your passwords with a program like LastPass or 1Password.
Make DuckDuckGo the default search engine under Search settings.
3. Safari
Make sure “Prevent cross-site tracking” is turned on in Privacy Settings.
Uncheck “Include Safari Suggestions” in Search settings.
When turned on, this sends your search data to Apple servers.
Secure your passwords with a program like LastPass or 1Password.
Make DuckDuckGo the default search engine under Search settings.
4. Edge
Make sure you use the new (Chromium-based) Microsoft Edge.
Switch “Tracking Prevention” under Privacy and Services to “Strict” instead of the “Balanced” default.
Turn on “Block third-party cookies” in Site Permissions/Cookies and Data.
Secure your passwords with a program like LastPass or 1Password.
Make DuckDuckGo the default search engine under Address Bar settings.
Following these simple steps will instantly make your online activity more private. To truly maximize your privacy and protect your entire home network from hackers, learn more about our Next-Generation VPN Service Here.
