5 Internet Browser Tips for Improved Security and Privacy This 2020
Google Chrome, Firefox Browser, Microsoft Edge… and the list goes on.
These internet browsers have dedicated their time and resources to bringing us the best way to access the internet, and they are not resting on their oars while trying to one-up the other. No matter which you find personally appealing, though, staying safe while browsing the internet is equally as important.
Today, we discuss general tips to keep you safe on each one of these browsers. Shall we?
1 Update regularly:
No matter what internet browser you use, updating regularly is non-negotiable.
Browser upgrades sometimes come with an overhaul in the appearance and features section. More often than not, though, they are there to do silent housekeeping for you.
Bugs and vulnerabilities are found almost every time and the app developer will do all they can to patch such before they get exploited. You can only ensure this works if you also update the app on time.
2 Get a VPN:
You don’t need to want to buy something anonymously in another country or access a geo-blocked piece of content before getting a VPN. Sometimes, just get one because you care a lot about your internet privacy and security too.
With a VPN, you get off the hook of data monitoring and internet traffic snooping schemes. Since your internet data is now being passed through a ton of servers, no one will be able to trace the trail and identify you with such a network.
When downloading a VPN too, ensure it is compatible with the kind of browser you are using. Since browsers work using different protocols for a unique feel, a VPN for Chrome might not do well with Firefox, and so on. Interestingly, some are made to work with a wide array of internet browsers.
3 Prevent Pop-Ups:
Popups are not all bad, but malicious people have found a way to use this to their advantage so much, you are better off not enabling them.
Most popups are even notorious for containing a link to malicious code in their cancel (the common 'X' on the upper right corner) button. Clicking on that will just take you to another website or install some app you don’t want on your device.
Fortunately, every internet browser worth its salt today allows you to block these popups from even showing up at all. If yours doesn’t support such, you are better off without such a browser.
4 Download ad blockers:
Unlike pop-ups, ads are a grey area.
Some websites will take just about any ad from any publisher so that they can keep themselves in business. Since these ads are a form of revenue, some websites will push them in your face all the time.
Besides the fact that they can be inherently unsafe, getting ads this way will also ruin the website experience for you.
That is why an ad blocker will always come in handy.
However, we recommend that you whitelist the websites you love and trust from the adblocking program. Seeing as they get their revenue from those ads, this is a nice way of supporting the good work that they are doing on the platform.
5 Go Private:
Depending on what browser you are using, there should be an option that allows you to browse the internet privately.
For Google Chrome, it is the popular Incognito Mode. Firefox also has a solution like this which they call Private Browsing mode.
While this mode will not keep your ISP or employer from seeing what you are doing on the network, it keeps you safer than the conventional browsing mode. Preventing the saving of cookies, blocking ads from retargeting you and also deleting your browser history for that browsing session as soon as you are done, they offer more than you must have been giving them credit for.
Conclusion:
With these five tips, you are on the way to a better internet browsing experience with any of your favorite browsers. In terms of safety, privacy, and security, that is.
These internet browsers have dedicated their time and resources to bringing us the best way to access the internet, and they are not resting on their oars while trying to one-up the other. No matter which you find personally appealing, though, staying safe while browsing the internet is equally as important.
Today, we discuss general tips to keep you safe on each one of these browsers. Shall we?
1 Update regularly:
No matter what internet browser you use, updating regularly is non-negotiable.
Browser upgrades sometimes come with an overhaul in the appearance and features section. More often than not, though, they are there to do silent housekeeping for you.
Bugs and vulnerabilities are found almost every time and the app developer will do all they can to patch such before they get exploited. You can only ensure this works if you also update the app on time.
2 Get a VPN:
You don’t need to want to buy something anonymously in another country or access a geo-blocked piece of content before getting a VPN. Sometimes, just get one because you care a lot about your internet privacy and security too.
With a VPN, you get off the hook of data monitoring and internet traffic snooping schemes. Since your internet data is now being passed through a ton of servers, no one will be able to trace the trail and identify you with such a network.
When downloading a VPN too, ensure it is compatible with the kind of browser you are using. Since browsers work using different protocols for a unique feel, a VPN for Chrome might not do well with Firefox, and so on. Interestingly, some are made to work with a wide array of internet browsers.
3 Prevent Pop-Ups:
Popups are not all bad, but malicious people have found a way to use this to their advantage so much, you are better off not enabling them.
Most popups are even notorious for containing a link to malicious code in their cancel (the common 'X' on the upper right corner) button. Clicking on that will just take you to another website or install some app you don’t want on your device.
Fortunately, every internet browser worth its salt today allows you to block these popups from even showing up at all. If yours doesn’t support such, you are better off without such a browser.
4 Download ad blockers:
Unlike pop-ups, ads are a grey area.
Some websites will take just about any ad from any publisher so that they can keep themselves in business. Since these ads are a form of revenue, some websites will push them in your face all the time.
Besides the fact that they can be inherently unsafe, getting ads this way will also ruin the website experience for you.
That is why an ad blocker will always come in handy.
However, we recommend that you whitelist the websites you love and trust from the adblocking program. Seeing as they get their revenue from those ads, this is a nice way of supporting the good work that they are doing on the platform.
5 Go Private:
Depending on what browser you are using, there should be an option that allows you to browse the internet privately.
For Google Chrome, it is the popular Incognito Mode. Firefox also has a solution like this which they call Private Browsing mode.
While this mode will not keep your ISP or employer from seeing what you are doing on the network, it keeps you safer than the conventional browsing mode. Preventing the saving of cookies, blocking ads from retargeting you and also deleting your browser history for that browsing session as soon as you are done, they offer more than you must have been giving them credit for.
Conclusion:
With these five tips, you are on the way to a better internet browsing experience with any of your favorite browsers. In terms of safety, privacy, and security, that is.
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