Privacy or online security is not always guaranteed. Your digital footprints make it easy for cybercriminals to trace your online activities. Not even your browser can guarantee your security and internet privacy, especially if you spend a lot of time online.
Your web browser is the bridge between you and the internet, and it is responsible for keeping its delicate balance. It helps you access the internet and carry out your activities. On the other hand, you don’t know the kind of sensitive information it can provide to third-party users and advertisers such as:
- Browsing history
- Name
- Email address
- Gender
- Political alienation
Other than installing a quality VPN or anti-malware extension on your browser or following some PC repair tips and tricks to strengthen your internet security, you must be keen when choosing your browser.
In this updated list, we highlight nine of the best browsers for internet security and privacy in 2020.
What Makes A Browser Secure?
Before you choose your browser, you need to know what makes a browser secure. Browsers use different privacy features and security tools to provide internet privacy and keep you safe online. Some of these features and tools are:
- Sandboxing to restrict malicious applications
- HTTPS to keep your connection private through encryption
- Active content protection
- Phishing and spoofing protection
The combination of these security and privacy features is what differentiates browsers.
Best Browsers for Security and Privacy in 2023
Here is our list of the best browsers that have put effort into protecting your privacy and security on the internet:
1. Firefox
More than a decade old, Firefox is a non-profit browser that has earned a reputation as the best browser for customizable protection. It is the only known open-source browser with a reputation for top-notch privacy and security features.
Firefox is best for you if you prefer to manage your privacy and security settings personally. Its default settings heavily emphasize strong privacy protection. But you can also customize the settings with your preferred security levels such as:
- Active content protection
- Mandatory private browsing mode
- Tracking protection
- Protection against scripts
2. Tor
Tor is known for its maximum security-focused features.
Tor should be your browser of choice if privacy and maximum security are your only key concern when browsing. It is built with three-layer encryption, which provides complete anonymity and user privacy.
Tor is keen on users’ security concerns, including smaller details such as minimizing your browser window to prevent screen-size tracking. It is also the best browser to protect you from fingerprinting, and it automatically clears your history and cookies to protect you from tracking.
3. Brave
When it comes to security and privacy, Brave is the best overall browser.
Brave is a modern, standalone, Chromium-based browser with many built-in privacy and security features such as HTTPS and fingerprint protection. Other default security features and configurations include:
- Tracking protection
- Ad, scripts, and cookie blocker
- Built-in password manager
- Automatic malware and phishing blocker
- Customizable browser security and privacy settings
However, being Chromium-based (a Google product), there is no guarantee that Brave is independent.
4. Epic
Epic browser is the only best alternative to Brave and Tor browsers if you consider browser privacy and devotion to security. It undertakes “extreme caution” to deliver its privacy promise, allowing you to feel secure online without a VPN or browsing incognito.
Epic’s default privacy and security settings are always turned on but still allow you to customize the settings to improve on privacy. It automatically deletes all your browsing data and history. It also has a tracking blocker. Your IP address is also protected, and it doesn’t let you leave any digital footprint.
However, being Chromium-based, Epic has the same drawback (of non-guaranteed independence) as the Brave browser.
5. Waterfox
If you prefer to manage your security and privacy settings personally, Waterfox is your best alternative open-source browser to Firefox. It is designed with more privacy focus than Firefox. It has additional security privacy and features, including default tracking protection.
However, the only disadvantage of Waterfox is that it has less frequent updates, which is a security risk. In addition, it is Google’s SafeBrowsing service that runs Waterfox, which doesn’t guarantee independence
6. DuckDuckGo
Since you’re focusing on privacy and security, DuckDuckGo is the best browser to safeguard your browsing history. You can either automatically set all your browser history to be deleted or delete them with a single click to prevent trackers and advertisers from accessing it. It also has built-in HTTPS encryption to protect your data.
DuckDuckGo is not a browser per se, but a search engine that you add to your browser as an extension
7. Chromium
If you don’t want to use Chrome because of its related security risks, Chromium is your next-best alternative. You’ll get the best browsing features and interface as Chrome but without data tracking or selling your personal information. Its main features revolve around three things, reliability, speed, and safety.
Another advantage of Chromium over Chrome is the option to customize features.
8. Pale Moon
Pale Moon runs on Gecko, an independent search engine, making it a more useful browser if you’re seeking to keep your private information away from third parties. It has a unique add-on to enhance online security and efficiency.
9. Safari
Apple says Safari is the best browser for privacy and security on Mac. It is designed with plenty of sensitive, small, useful features that support the maintenance of your privacy, such as:
- Strong-passwords generator
- DuckDuckGo for private browsing
- Protection based on machine learning
- Anti-fingerprinting tools
- Sandboxing
However, being Apple-owned, Safari might be at risk of data collection, which compromises its reliability for privacy actions.
10. Google Chrome
Chrome is famous for the best features that a browser should have, such as speed, constant updates, convenience, and undisputed function. It also offers incognito mode and blocks third parties from accessing your data. Additionally, Chrome scans the internet for harmful links and websites and warns users against them.
However, Chrome conducts data collection and sells the information to third-party users, which is a violation of users’ privacy.
Conclusion
These ten browsers we have highlighted have some of the best privacy and security features that can be a barrier to hackers and third-party users who would want to infringe on your online privacy.
To avoid putting your data at stake, use a quality VPN on top of your browser. Furthermore, in addition to using a quality VPN, learn more about PC repair software to help you keep your device safe from hackers.
