What Does The History Feature In A Web Browser Do

1. What Does The History Feature In A Web Browser Domain
2. What Does The History Feature In A Web Browser Downloaded

Key Findings: I have recently done various researches on a secure browser and internet privacy. Through it, I got to discover that the ultimate answer to safe browsing is through a NordVPN.

Although tech giants like Google and Mozilla have introduced their secure web browsers even, they are not as safe as they claim to be.

Also, Tor which was a project of the CIA and is known to be the most secure browser requires the use of a VPN with it.

Intro To Secure Browsers

In this digital era, it is necessary for you to shield your online activity. Any program under the category of most secure browser ensures that your protection on the web is their priority. To keep your information hidden from outsiders is another job. Thus, a private browser will help you everywhere on the web.

Already a method has been defined for the transaction of data over the internet is through the web browsers. Unfortunately, some browsers have an adverse impact on the privacy of internet users. The outcomes that inhibit tracking scripts to steal user's credentials.

Do all browsers save your browsing history? By default, all Internet browsers save your browsing history because of all of the advantages it has when browsing the Internet. As mentioned above, if you're concerned about your privacy while browsing you can use incognito mode to prevent your browser from saving your browsing history. If you have an app that does encourage navigation in the browser, consider the pattern above. Don't do it because of the certification requirement, do it because it is intuitive to the user. That is why the requirement exists. If you feel that your app does not fall under one of the above, then do ask for an exception to the certification team. Why does my browser history show sites not visited? For the past several days when I'm logged on to the IE, my browser history has loaded up with nearly 100 websites not visited. I did a test by opening the Yahoo homepage and google in seperate tabs and left it set for 15 minutes and websites were being added to the browser history as I watched. Recovering Edge browser history using Windows Timeline 16 October 2018 Windows 10 now includes a feature called Timeline that allows you to easily view recent activity carried out, such as documents and web pages that have been opened.

Using the up arrow increases the number of days of browser history that is recorded. The down arrow decreases the number of days of browser history that is recorded. Click Ok to apply your changes and exit the Internet Options dialog box. Once you have set the Internet Explorer web browser history the next time you use the History feature it.

Also, the government mass surveillance program and data retention has the rights to keep records of users in the interest of national defense.

These aspects are annoying for users as it damages the internet freedom by tracking their browsing activities. To sort out these problems the best secure browsers have been introduced.

What Does The History Feature In A Web Browser Domain

Most Secure Browsers In 2020

These browsers have the privilege to manage the data confidentiality from illegal access, harmful threats, and data exploitation.

Yet, hiding browsing activities are not top-notch with most secure browsers as they somehow outflow the data to ISPs. The private browsers are competent in providing a swift browsing experience on platforms like Android and iPhone.

Whereas, the normal browsers gives high data protection on Windows and Mac with assistance to privacy extensions.

1. Firefox Focus

Firefox Focus is one more adding to the roster of best anonymous browsers by Mozilla. It is purely designed for the customer's data security. The initial launch was considering the iOS users.

However, the recent update has to cover the Android. It's the most secure browser which focuses on data concealment with a beautifully designed that pleases your eyes.

It blocks the ad tracking which consequently means that websites aren't recording the user's web browsing history and the speed of internet isn't compromised.

The secure browser for Android has a dedicated feature which helps Firefox Focus on securing the position in the lists of ad blockers.

Firefox Focus blocks the advertisers from monitoring the user experience. Also, it eases the activities once the secure browser mode is activated. When you're done with your browsing session, you can hit the 'Erase' icon and all of your internet activities will be deleted.

2. Tor Browser

It is a secure browser which was developed after a massive increase in privacy issues of internet users. Tor browser has been a subject of discussion because of its technological advancement and awareness. People who use the internet on regular basis have installed the Tor browser for secure browsing activities.

Tor software is based on distributed networks of relays which protect internet communication from tracking by ISPs and surveillance agencies. Tor browser generates a dedicated encrypted tunnel for sending and receiving of data. It evades the evils eyes from monitoring the internet connection.

The web pages you visit becomes hidden along with your existing location. Also, it allows users to access restricted sites on their devices.

Tor browser enhances your online privacy and protects against the surveillance program carried by the NSA. It secretly transfers your internet traffic from different locations and hides the source of communication.

Tor browser can be used without installing any software on Windows, Mac, and Linux. It comes with pre-configured security features for protecting your anonymity and can run from a USB flash drive.

How Tor Works

Tor is also called 'Onion Router' because it works on the concept of Onion routing. The structure of onion has multi-layers; similar to onion router. These layers encrypt the data multiple times and then it is sent through virtual circuits.

The receiver side decrypts the data before it is passed on the next level. The innermost layer of encrypted data is decrypted by the last layer before the original data reaches the destination.

In such process, the decryption of the layers is done so efficiently that the IP address and location doesn't get reveal and keep hidden. This limits the spying eyes to look at the websites that you interact. Also, it makes them unable to watch your internet activities.

What Makes It Different?

Tor is quite popular in those countries where freedom of expression over the internet is restricted. For instance, in China citizens are not able to access the web pages due to censorship laws, in such situation Tor browser comes to work.

This secure web browser is also in use of Edward Snowden known as 'Whistleblower' who reveals the information about NSA‘s PRISM program to the media through Tor. Many average citizens and academics use Tor in order to keep freedom and privacy protected in this era of mass surveillance.

3. Epic Privacy Browser

Epic web browser is developed using a chromium technology aimed at making your browsing private. The feature that makes it the secure browser is the 'private browsing mode'.

It means that on the close of Epic, deletion of all browsing data occurs during the use of internet and stores very small amount of data history.

The browser use 'encrypted proxy' that hides your IP address and encrypts browsing data. The DNS requests are routed via encrypted proxy. This gives protection to the browsing history from the internet service provider (ISP) and other data snoopers.

Epic is the most secure browser that protects you from tracking scripts, cookies, third-party widgets and Ad networks. It also lets you access the blocked content from others countries.

Using this browser, your searches remain private and it disallows search engines to save your IP address. It gives priority to SSL connections and protects you on the public network.

4. SRWare Iron Browser

SRWare Iron is another best secure browser that mimics Google Chrome except for its privacy features. It also claims to be the 'real alternative' to Chrome. This browser offers customizable developer tools, privacy settings, and extensions.

This secure browser eliminates privacy-compromising functionality and usage tracking, unlike Chrome. It is also has a built-in feature capable of blocking unwanted ads. It creates a unique user ID and submits entries to Google for generating suggestions.

SRWare is a fast browser, with sleek design and innovative features. Best for the people looking for a good Chrome-based developer focused web browser. SRWare secures your data by using different security methods.

5. Comodo Dragon Browser

The Comodo Dragon Browser is built on Chromium technology, offering similar features like Chrome with top-notch security, it means all the internet activities are protected. Comodo dragon has online privacy keeper with all necessary options.

The customize plug-ins and add-ons make the browser interface more user-friendly for beginners. It provides you with the unsurpassed speed with encrypted tunneling for secure transfer of traffic. Comodo Dragon browser keeps you secure and finishes crashes or frozen windows. It prevents cookies and other spying eyes from tracking you.

Comodo Dragon browser has Domain Validation technology which identifies and separates the superior SSL certificates from inferior ones. All browser download tracking is prevented by this browser in order to protect privacy.

6. Avira Scout Browser

The speculation behind scout that it's from the German anti-virus firm. Avira scout is to collect a range of third force security plug-ins in a chromium based secure browser with some of their additional features.

Avira scout offers safe web browsing that blocks phishing websites, Avira safe search, protected Wi-Fi which implements HTTPS when surfing sites with an insecure Wi-Fi and anti-tracking.

Scout does emerge to be ‘hardened' with a few tweaks, on the contrary, and additional ones are too probably in future. A script is incorporated to ensure extensions against a permitted list.

The extensions stated above are also executed with the browser itself and cannot be detached, a safety of sorts. Upcoming releases will include Avira's AV scanning, plus at some point the firm's cloud-scanning facility.

7. Brave Browser

Declared by Brendan Eich, a prime supporter of the Mozilla Project, Brave is an open source program that offers a respectable Chrome and Safari elective. It offers incredible speeds and propelled promotion following controls, perfect for the protection cognizant who are likewise after a lightweight program.

Accessible for Windows, Linux, and OS X clients, it has emerged as one of the most secure browsers. Brave incorporates HTTPS Everywhere joining, squares treat catch, includes a nice promotion blocker, and has a dynamic designer group which is continually enhancing the program.

Drawbacks?

It's as yet a moderately new program, so maybe not as clean an item as it could be, and augmentation usefulness is as yet deficient.

8. Yandex Browser

Yandex offers an extremely usable interface that doesn't stray too a long way from the solace of Chrome, in outline and highlights. Perfect for those that are careful about the move to a more secure and regularly stripped-back program. Thus, making it as a world popular secure browser.

What Does The History Feature In A Web Browser Downloaded

Yandex, which depends on Chromium, utilizes the ‘Flicker' motor which runs checks through downloads and even uses Kaspersky's antivirus to examine for pernicious substance.

Regularly when programs run checks they wind up plainly lazy, and Yandex has endeavored to address this. The program utilizes Opera's Turbo innovation to improve pages that are failing to meet expectations or working over a temperamental system.

Yandex additionally gives DNS caricaturing assurance, which can piece site containing malevolent substance and secures passwords and bank card points of interest that are put away.

9. Dooble Browser

Dooble is a lean Chromium-based multi-stage (Windows, Linux, OS X) program that won't be for everybody notwithstanding its security highlights. In its default state it debilitates unreliable interfaces, for example, Flash and Javascript which will make it hard to use with a considerable measure of destinations yet may be justified, despite all the trouble for its stripped-down approach.

The program expects the client needs to travel in secret from the off, while HTTPS can be authorized and outsider session treats in iFrames blocked. The treatment of cookies is curiously granular.

An imaginative element is that all client content (bookmarks, perusing inclinations and history) can be encoded utilizing different figures and a passphrase. Another fascinating element is to set security, for instance, private perusing, for every tab utilizing the right-click alternative.

Commentators haven't taken to Dooble in light of the fact that it needs refinement in places yet we thought that it was quick and in some of its thoughts cunning.

10. Disconnect Browser

This browser uses the technology of crawling into the web and finding the websites of those corporations that track the public. Disconnect is particularly used to disconnect you from websites that aspire to store your data or any other information related to you in the other way.

While browsing through Disconnect, you are displayed multiple messages which state that any particular website endeavors to track your activities. Disconnect will automatically end your interface with specific websites that pose a hazard to your privacy.

Add-ons to secure your browsing activity.

There are likewise various distinctive additional items or expansions you can introduce to level up your web browser's protection and security.

Here are a couple of plugins that can enhance your web browsers' security.

• HTTPS Everywhere: – Developed at Electronic Frontier Foundation, this will direct sites to utilize a protected HTTPS encrypted network.
• uBlock Origin: – This is a standout amongst other browser-based advertisement blockers. It ensures you're not being tracked by advertisers on the web.
• uMatrix: – This gives you power over every program that might track you as you visit distinctive sites.
• Cookie Autodelete: – This will itself erase cookies that are never again required for your surfing.
• Privacy Badger: – Privacy Badger is additionally from EFF that sidelines spying promotions and trackers.
• Decentraleyes: – This ensures your security from tracking via content networks.
• Random User Agent: – Available for Firefox and Chrome, this add-on will spin through different user operators, enabling you to trick malicious systems.
• NoScript: – It enables you to alter precisely which contents keep running on the sites you land on. This is for cutting-edge clients and requires loads of customization since it will break most sites as a matter of course.

Conclusion

We hope that you would have found the secure web browser for safe browsing, it is reasonably obvious that Tor is the best secure browser to use however one should choose the browser according to his need of protection. Someone who wants security and privacy than the Epic browser is the ideal option.

Your web browser is the vehicle that carries you around the Internet to your desired websites. As such, it knows precisely what sites you have visited, how long you spent browsing them, and what you clicked on (or almost clicked on). Anyone who has access to your web browser can have a window into your income, your political leanings, and even your sexual preferences.

This is why it's so important to only use browsers you know will protect and improve your internet privacy. In this article, we explain how browsers capture so much information and which web browsers in 2019 are best at keeping your browsing history safe from data-hungry tech companies and advertisers
Further reading:Easy steps to improve your internet privacy

How you are tracked online

Before examining the impact your browser can have on your privacy, you need to understand how your online activity is monitored.

While having a company directly record your browsing history is a risk (see Google Chrome), the more common threats to your privacy come from online advertisers and third-party trackers. Similar to Google, advertisers and trackers want to record as much of your online browsing as possible. The more data they have, the better they can show you ads specifically tailored to you. The two tools they use to follow you around the Internet are device fingerprinting and cookies.

• Device fingerprinting is when a site looks at all the characteristics of your device (the make and model of your device, what browser you are using, what plugins you have installed, what timezone you are in, etc.) until it has enough information to identify and follow it. Your device share this information to optimize the websites you visit. For example, websites want to know if you're using a laptop or a smartphone so that it can select the correct font size and screen resolution. This can be surprisingly accurate. To see if your device has an easily identifiable fingerprint, check out the Electronic Frontier Foundation's Panopticlick.

• Cookies, or HTTP cookies, are tiny data packets that websites or services plant on your browser while you're on a website. These cookies differentiate your browsers from others, like a nametag.

The privacy risks of Chrome

Any discussion of privacy and Web browsers must begin with Google Chrome. It is, by far, the most popular Web browser. Chrome handles over 60 percent of web traffic. This is unfortunate because Google uses Chrome as a window to peer into every action you take online. Unless you modify your Google privacy settings, Chrome records every site you visit so Google can serve you targeted ads.

Even worse, Chrome does very little to block other advertisers and trackers from monitoring you with cookies or device fingerprinting. A Washington Post article reported Chrome gathers roughly 11,000 trackers in an average week. Do you want 11,000 pairs of eyes on you every time you do an Internet search?

However, you do not need to give away your personal data to access the Internet.

There are Internet browsers that do not record your every action and protect you from trackers. Switching from Chrome to one of the following browsers can drastically reduce the amount of data you are inadvertently sharing as you browse the Internet.

Further reading: Gmail's privacy problem and why it matters

Best secure and privacy-first web browsers:

1. (tie) Brave

The Brave browser was designed to make privacy simple enough for everyone. It is an open source browser built on top of Chromium (an open source version of the Chrome browser), which means it's easy for Chrome users to make the switch.
However, unlike Chrome, Brave does not collect any data about your online activity. Your data remains private and on your device.

Brave also makes blocking trackers easy. Instead of forcing users to decide which plugins and browser extensions they should download, Brave comes fully equipped. It automatically blocks all third-party and advertising cookies, and because HTTPS Everywhere is built-in, it ensures all your connections are securely HTTPS encrypted. Brave also features Fingerprinting Protection in the browser.

The company also has a social mission: to encourage websites not to rely on advertising based on tracking you around the Internet. Brave has introduced a system that allows you to reward creators and sites you visit directly.

Called Brave Rewards, it uses a utility token called a Basic Attention Token and enables you to anonymously reward the websites you visit most. Brave also has opt-in, privacy-preserving Brave Ads, and users who choose to view them earn 70% of the ad revenue, which they can then use to reward their favorite online creators.

Brave is available for desktop, Android, and iOS.

1. (tie) Firefox

The open source Firefox is the third-most-popular browser on the Internet, behind Google's Chrome and Apple's Safari. Developed by Mozilla, the Firefox team has improved the browser's privacy protections in recent years.
They have introduced advanced anti-fingerprinting and Enhanced Tracking Protection features this year, both of which make it much more difficult for third-party trackers to follow you around the Internet.

Unlike Brave, the standard Firefox does not automatically block advertisements. However, there are numerous browser extensions that you can download that will prevent advertisers from getting your information or showing you ads.

Or, if you primarily browse the Internet on your mobile device, Firefox Focus incorporates automatic ad blocking. (Focus was developed as an ad blocker for Safari, but was then transformed into a minimalistic privacy browser for Android users.)

Firefox is available for desktop, Android, and iOS.

3. Tor browser

As we have discussed elsewhere, Tor is the best option if privacy is your utmost concern. The Tor browser is based on Firefox, but it has been stripped down and specially calibrated to run on the Tor network.

The receiver side decrypts the data before it is passed on the next level. The innermost layer of encrypted data is decrypted by the last layer before the original data reaches the destination.

In such process, the decryption of the layers is done so efficiently that the IP address and location doesn't get reveal and keep hidden. This limits the spying eyes to look at the websites that you interact. Also, it makes them unable to watch your internet activities.

What Makes It Different?

Tor is quite popular in those countries where freedom of expression over the internet is restricted. For instance, in China citizens are not able to access the web pages due to censorship laws, in such situation Tor browser comes to work.

This secure web browser is also in use of Edward Snowden known as 'Whistleblower' who reveals the information about NSA‘s PRISM program to the media through Tor. Many average citizens and academics use Tor in order to keep freedom and privacy protected in this era of mass surveillance.

3. Epic Privacy Browser

Epic web browser is developed using a chromium technology aimed at making your browsing private. The feature that makes it the secure browser is the 'private browsing mode'.

It means that on the close of Epic, deletion of all browsing data occurs during the use of internet and stores very small amount of data history.

The browser use 'encrypted proxy' that hides your IP address and encrypts browsing data. The DNS requests are routed via encrypted proxy. This gives protection to the browsing history from the internet service provider (ISP) and other data snoopers.

Epic is the most secure browser that protects you from tracking scripts, cookies, third-party widgets and Ad networks. It also lets you access the blocked content from others countries.

Using this browser, your searches remain private and it disallows search engines to save your IP address. It gives priority to SSL connections and protects you on the public network.

4. SRWare Iron Browser

SRWare Iron is another best secure browser that mimics Google Chrome except for its privacy features. It also claims to be the 'real alternative' to Chrome. This browser offers customizable developer tools, privacy settings, and extensions.

This secure browser eliminates privacy-compromising functionality and usage tracking, unlike Chrome. It is also has a built-in feature capable of blocking unwanted ads. It creates a unique user ID and submits entries to Google for generating suggestions.

SRWare is a fast browser, with sleek design and innovative features. Best for the people looking for a good Chrome-based developer focused web browser. SRWare secures your data by using different security methods.

5. Comodo Dragon Browser

The Comodo Dragon Browser is built on Chromium technology, offering similar features like Chrome with top-notch security, it means all the internet activities are protected. Comodo dragon has online privacy keeper with all necessary options.

The customize plug-ins and add-ons make the browser interface more user-friendly for beginners. It provides you with the unsurpassed speed with encrypted tunneling for secure transfer of traffic. Comodo Dragon browser keeps you secure and finishes crashes or frozen windows. It prevents cookies and other spying eyes from tracking you.

Comodo Dragon browser has Domain Validation technology which identifies and separates the superior SSL certificates from inferior ones. All browser download tracking is prevented by this browser in order to protect privacy.

6. Avira Scout Browser

The speculation behind scout that it's from the German anti-virus firm. Avira scout is to collect a range of third force security plug-ins in a chromium based secure browser with some of their additional features.

Avira scout offers safe web browsing that blocks phishing websites, Avira safe search, protected Wi-Fi which implements HTTPS when surfing sites with an insecure Wi-Fi and anti-tracking.

Scout does emerge to be ‘hardened' with a few tweaks, on the contrary, and additional ones are too probably in future. A script is incorporated to ensure extensions against a permitted list.

The extensions stated above are also executed with the browser itself and cannot be detached, a safety of sorts. Upcoming releases will include Avira's AV scanning, plus at some point the firm's cloud-scanning facility.

7. Brave Browser

Declared by Brendan Eich, a prime supporter of the Mozilla Project, Brave is an open source program that offers a respectable Chrome and Safari elective. It offers incredible speeds and propelled promotion following controls, perfect for the protection cognizant who are likewise after a lightweight program.

Accessible for Windows, Linux, and OS X clients, it has emerged as one of the most secure browsers. Brave incorporates HTTPS Everywhere joining, squares treat catch, includes a nice promotion blocker, and has a dynamic designer group which is continually enhancing the program.

Drawbacks?

It's as yet a moderately new program, so maybe not as clean an item as it could be, and augmentation usefulness is as yet deficient.

8. Yandex Browser

Yandex offers an extremely usable interface that doesn't stray too a long way from the solace of Chrome, in outline and highlights. Perfect for those that are careful about the move to a more secure and regularly stripped-back program. Thus, making it as a world popular secure browser.

What Does The History Feature In A Web Browser Downloaded

Yandex, which depends on Chromium, utilizes the ‘Flicker' motor which runs checks through downloads and even uses Kaspersky's antivirus to examine for pernicious substance.

Regularly when programs run checks they wind up plainly lazy, and Yandex has endeavored to address this. The program utilizes Opera's Turbo innovation to improve pages that are failing to meet expectations or working over a temperamental system.

Yandex additionally gives DNS caricaturing assurance, which can piece site containing malevolent substance and secures passwords and bank card points of interest that are put away.

9. Dooble Browser

Dooble is a lean Chromium-based multi-stage (Windows, Linux, OS X) program that won't be for everybody notwithstanding its security highlights. In its default state it debilitates unreliable interfaces, for example, Flash and Javascript which will make it hard to use with a considerable measure of destinations yet may be justified, despite all the trouble for its stripped-down approach.

The program expects the client needs to travel in secret from the off, while HTTPS can be authorized and outsider session treats in iFrames blocked. The treatment of cookies is curiously granular.

An imaginative element is that all client content (bookmarks, perusing inclinations and history) can be encoded utilizing different figures and a passphrase. Another fascinating element is to set security, for instance, private perusing, for every tab utilizing the right-click alternative.

Commentators haven't taken to Dooble in light of the fact that it needs refinement in places yet we thought that it was quick and in some of its thoughts cunning.

10. Disconnect Browser

This browser uses the technology of crawling into the web and finding the websites of those corporations that track the public. Disconnect is particularly used to disconnect you from websites that aspire to store your data or any other information related to you in the other way.

While browsing through Disconnect, you are displayed multiple messages which state that any particular website endeavors to track your activities. Disconnect will automatically end your interface with specific websites that pose a hazard to your privacy.

Add-ons to secure your browsing activity.

There are likewise various distinctive additional items or expansions you can introduce to level up your web browser's protection and security.

Here are a couple of plugins that can enhance your web browsers' security.

• HTTPS Everywhere: – Developed at Electronic Frontier Foundation, this will direct sites to utilize a protected HTTPS encrypted network.
• uBlock Origin: – This is a standout amongst other browser-based advertisement blockers. It ensures you're not being tracked by advertisers on the web.
• uMatrix: – This gives you power over every program that might track you as you visit distinctive sites.
• Cookie Autodelete: – This will itself erase cookies that are never again required for your surfing.
• Privacy Badger: – Privacy Badger is additionally from EFF that sidelines spying promotions and trackers.
• Decentraleyes: – This ensures your security from tracking via content networks.
• Random User Agent: – Available for Firefox and Chrome, this add-on will spin through different user operators, enabling you to trick malicious systems.
• NoScript: – It enables you to alter precisely which contents keep running on the sites you land on. This is for cutting-edge clients and requires loads of customization since it will break most sites as a matter of course.

Conclusion

We hope that you would have found the secure web browser for safe browsing, it is reasonably obvious that Tor is the best secure browser to use however one should choose the browser according to his need of protection. Someone who wants security and privacy than the Epic browser is the ideal option.

Your web browser is the vehicle that carries you around the Internet to your desired websites. As such, it knows precisely what sites you have visited, how long you spent browsing them, and what you clicked on (or almost clicked on). Anyone who has access to your web browser can have a window into your income, your political leanings, and even your sexual preferences.

This is why it's so important to only use browsers you know will protect and improve your internet privacy. In this article, we explain how browsers capture so much information and which web browsers in 2019 are best at keeping your browsing history safe from data-hungry tech companies and advertisers
Further reading:Easy steps to improve your internet privacy

How you are tracked online

Before examining the impact your browser can have on your privacy, you need to understand how your online activity is monitored.

While having a company directly record your browsing history is a risk (see Google Chrome), the more common threats to your privacy come from online advertisers and third-party trackers. Similar to Google, advertisers and trackers want to record as much of your online browsing as possible. The more data they have, the better they can show you ads specifically tailored to you. The two tools they use to follow you around the Internet are device fingerprinting and cookies.

• Device fingerprinting is when a site looks at all the characteristics of your device (the make and model of your device, what browser you are using, what plugins you have installed, what timezone you are in, etc.) until it has enough information to identify and follow it. Your device share this information to optimize the websites you visit. For example, websites want to know if you're using a laptop or a smartphone so that it can select the correct font size and screen resolution. This can be surprisingly accurate. To see if your device has an easily identifiable fingerprint, check out the Electronic Frontier Foundation's Panopticlick.

• Cookies, or HTTP cookies, are tiny data packets that websites or services plant on your browser while you're on a website. These cookies differentiate your browsers from others, like a nametag.

The privacy risks of Chrome

Any discussion of privacy and Web browsers must begin with Google Chrome. It is, by far, the most popular Web browser. Chrome handles over 60 percent of web traffic. This is unfortunate because Google uses Chrome as a window to peer into every action you take online. Unless you modify your Google privacy settings, Chrome records every site you visit so Google can serve you targeted ads.

Even worse, Chrome does very little to block other advertisers and trackers from monitoring you with cookies or device fingerprinting. A Washington Post article reported Chrome gathers roughly 11,000 trackers in an average week. Do you want 11,000 pairs of eyes on you every time you do an Internet search?

However, you do not need to give away your personal data to access the Internet.

There are Internet browsers that do not record your every action and protect you from trackers. Switching from Chrome to one of the following browsers can drastically reduce the amount of data you are inadvertently sharing as you browse the Internet.

Further reading: Gmail's privacy problem and why it matters

Best secure and privacy-first web browsers:

1. (tie) Brave

The Brave browser was designed to make privacy simple enough for everyone. It is an open source browser built on top of Chromium (an open source version of the Chrome browser), which means it's easy for Chrome users to make the switch.
However, unlike Chrome, Brave does not collect any data about your online activity. Your data remains private and on your device.

Brave also makes blocking trackers easy. Instead of forcing users to decide which plugins and browser extensions they should download, Brave comes fully equipped. It automatically blocks all third-party and advertising cookies, and because HTTPS Everywhere is built-in, it ensures all your connections are securely HTTPS encrypted. Brave also features Fingerprinting Protection in the browser.

The company also has a social mission: to encourage websites not to rely on advertising based on tracking you around the Internet. Brave has introduced a system that allows you to reward creators and sites you visit directly.

Called Brave Rewards, it uses a utility token called a Basic Attention Token and enables you to anonymously reward the websites you visit most. Brave also has opt-in, privacy-preserving Brave Ads, and users who choose to view them earn 70% of the ad revenue, which they can then use to reward their favorite online creators.

Brave is available for desktop, Android, and iOS.

1. (tie) Firefox

The open source Firefox is the third-most-popular browser on the Internet, behind Google's Chrome and Apple's Safari. Developed by Mozilla, the Firefox team has improved the browser's privacy protections in recent years.
They have introduced advanced anti-fingerprinting and Enhanced Tracking Protection features this year, both of which make it much more difficult for third-party trackers to follow you around the Internet.

Unlike Brave, the standard Firefox does not automatically block advertisements. However, there are numerous browser extensions that you can download that will prevent advertisers from getting your information or showing you ads.

Or, if you primarily browse the Internet on your mobile device, Firefox Focus incorporates automatic ad blocking. (Focus was developed as an ad blocker for Safari, but was then transformed into a minimalistic privacy browser for Android users.)

Firefox is available for desktop, Android, and iOS.

3. Tor browser

As we have discussed elsewhere, Tor is the best option if privacy is your utmost concern. The Tor browser is based on Firefox, but it has been stripped down and specially calibrated to run on the Tor network.

When you use Tor, your traffic is encrypted three times and bounced between three Tor servers before it reaches your desired website. The encryption is handled in such a way that each server only has access to one set of instructions, so no server has access to both your IP address and the website you are visiting.

This setup makes it impossible for Tor to keep any records about your online activity, and every time you close your session, the browser deletes your cookie cache and browsing history. The browser itself is formatted to prevent fingerprinting, and it blocks all kinds of trackers.

Unfortunately, it also blocks a lot of plugins that websites rely on. For example, with its privacy settings fully activated, the Tor browser will block JavaScript. JavaScript can expose user information, but blocking it can make websites unusable. Using Tor can also mean performing endless CAPTCHA verifications when you try to access larger sites. Finally, the Tor browser is slower than other browsers because of the extra encryption.

Download the Tor browser app for desktop and Android, as well as a Tor-approved open source Onion browser for iOS.

4. DuckDuckGo (honorable mention)

Unlike the other browsers mentioned above, DuckDuckGo does not have a standalone desktop browser, which means it is only a solution if you are browsing the Internet on your smartphone or tablet. With the DuckDuckGo browser, your browsing history never leaves your device. Deleting your entire browsing history is as easy as tapping a single button.

It automatically blocks ads, stops third-party trackers, and ensures HTTPS encryption on all sites where that's possible. One feature that does set it apart is the Privacy Grade it gives each site. This makes it easy for you to evaluate how much data each website collects from you, with and without DuckDuckGo's protections, at a single glance.

The DuckDuckGo browser is available for Android and iOS.
You can also use the extension for Chrome and Firefox.

The Web browser you choose can have a dramatic impact on your overall online privacy. By switching to one of the privacy-focused browsers in this article, you can protect your browsing history from the companies and trackers that want to monitor your every digital move.

What's your favorite web browser? Let us know in the comments below on Twitter or Reddit.

Best Regards,
The ProtonMail Team

You can get a free secure email account from ProtonMail here.

We also provide a free VPN service to protect your privacy.

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