However, Chrome being a staple browser doesn’t mean it’s the best browser available. In fact, I’d go as far as to say it’s not near the top, especially when it comes to user privacy and security. Your online security is the single most important thing when you’re online, so it makes sense that you’d want a browser that can protect you from malicious attacks and sneaky scams. Fortunately for you, I’ve compiled a list of the most secure browsers available right now. By the end of this, I hope you consider installing at least one and trying it out.
1. Opera
Also Read: Dark Patterns on Websites: All You Need to Know While not particularly famous, Opera has carved out its niche in the tech world. This niche? The opportunity to provide robust security and privacy with one browser. For the most part, Opera succeeds in this, offering many security features that reduce your chance of being annoyed by scams, malware, and fraudulent scripts. One thing to be wary of, however, is Opera’s built-in VPN. Sure, it’ll get the job done and works relatively well, but it breaks the “golden rule” of VPNs by tracking and logging your data. A VPN that tracks your data is close to useless. Very disappointing coming from Opera, but the rest of the browser makes up for it. If you do decide to use Opera, make sure to download a secure VPN. A good VPN should ensure that your data is securely encrypted by rerouting your signal and changing your IP address. This would also protect you from being hacked, especially when you are on public Wi-Fi networks. VPNs allow you to browse securely and anonymously.
2. Mozilla Firefox
Also Read: Why Don’t Web Browsers Charge Us? Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox: the three titans of the browser hierarchy. Ask anyone about their favorite browser, and you’re bound to receive one of those three answers. That said, I find Mozilla Firefox to be the most underrated of the three, with only my tech-enthusiast friends using it. Firefox was developed and is maintained by nonprofit organization Mozilla. The purpose of Firefox was to create a speedy, safer alternative to Chrome and Microsoft Edge (Internet Explorer at the time). Mozilla continually updates Firefox and even released Firefox “Quantum” recently, improving the security aspects of the browser and allowing users to protect their privacy. Mozilla’s continual support of Firefox along with the plethora of security add-ons available makes Firefox one of the top browsers available right now, especially when it comes to security. I prefer it as my main browser, and I have nothing but good things to say.
3. The Tor Browser
Also Read: Internet Safety: How to Browse Internet Responsibly and Safely Let’s say you want the browser equivalent of a maximum-security prison—nothing gets in or leaves without being granted access. If this sounds like you, you’re in luck, because the Tor Browser exists. Tor was designed by the United States Naval Research Laboratory in an effort to create the most secure, private browser available. At the time, Tor was only meant to be used for U.S. intelligence communications online, but as the project increased in scope and the Internet grew in size, the browser worked its way to the public domain. Its built-in security disallows anyone from viewing your activity or tracking your browsing history—no addon needed. Tor also doesn’t store cookies or log your browser history, opting to clear each after every session. It’s a bit janky, but the security benefits outweigh the slight inconveniences of the browser. It’s updated quite regularly too, meaning you won’t be vulnerable for weeks on end to a security flaw discovered two weeks ago.
Conclusion
There are many browsers out there, but few of them focus on your privacy and security. With these three, you can start your creating a more secure profile for yourself online in a few simple steps. Don’t forget that a VPN is always a handy tool you can get for an extra layer of security for your devices.
