With so many browsers out there it’s hard to know which to choose.
So which browsers are the best at providing a private and secure web experience?
Brave
Brave is based on Chrome but developed with a privacy-focused approach, tuned to perform faster than other competing browsers, compatible with most Chrome extensions, and includes advanced features that provide support for decentralized web3.0 standards.
Key features include:
- Ad blocking, fingerprinting prevention, cookie control, and malicious script blocking.
- Built-in password manager with multi-device syncing.
- Integrated privacy-focused search engines such as DuckDuckGo and their own Brave search.
- Built-in anonymizing TOR network private browsing.
- Integrated cryptocurrency wallet.
- IPFS integration.
- Earn rewards for opting-in to view private ads.
- Much, much, more…
Firefox
Firefox is one of the longest developed open-source browser supported on a every popular operating system and mobile devices with a history of being fast, highly secure, and includes many anti-tracking and privacy-focused features.
Key features include:
- Integrated password manager with multiple device syncing.
- Third party tracking protection and fingerprinting prevention.
- Private browsing mode.
- Containers to easily organize tabs into private spaces which prevents websites such as facebook, google, and other from tracking web browsing habits.
- A large selection of browser extensions that add additional functionality, customization, application integrations, and security features.
Tor Browser
For those looking for a truly anonymous browsing experience Tor Browser, based on Firefox, sends all traffic through the Tor network, originally developed by the Naval Research Laboratory, and is comprised of a global network of volunteer operated “nodes” running the Tor software designed to promote privacy and circumvent on-line censorship by obfuscating and anonymizing user traffic.
Key features include:
- Privacy focused development that ensures all traffic is fully anonymized.
- A built-in set of browser extensions to further ensure your browsing stays encrypted, private, and secure.
- Access to .onion domain sites that operate exclusively on the Tor network and only accessible via Tor Browser.
- Cross-platform development, making Tor Browser available for all operating systems and mobile devices.
Recommended Browser Extensions
To provide additional security and ensure you browsing experience stays secure, free from trackers, and prevent data mining of your personal information we recommend the following extensions that are available for all major web browsers:
HTTPS Everywhere
HTTPS Everywhere is produced as a collaboration between The Tor Project and the Electronic Frontier Foundation. Many sites on the web offer some limited support for encryption over HTTPS, but make it difficult to use. For instance, they may default to unencrypted HTTP, or fill encrypted pages with links that go back to the unencrypted site. The HTTPS Everywhere extension fixes these problems by using clever technology to rewrite requests to these sites to HTTPS.
Privacy Badger
Privacy Badger is another tool developed by the EFF that is an install-and-forget browser add-on that stops advertisers and trackers from secretly tracking where you go and what pages you look at on the web. If an advertiser or other third party seems to be tracking you across multiple websites without your permission, Privacy Badger automatically blocks them from loading any more content in your browser.