Improve Security of Your Web Browser with these Steps

 

Want to protect your privacy with the help of a more secure browser? Follow this article to the end. If you haven’t yet configured your browser’s privacy, the chances are that it might not be well-secured. Be it location tracking, pop-ups, or interrupting cookies, there can be several other ways by which your security might be compromised. If you think your browser’s security is not up to the mark, follow the below-mentioned steps:

Choose a Secure Web Browser

The majority of people use the widely recognized Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, or Firefox. But it does not mean that you only have these limited browsers to use. There are many secure browser alternatives to the browsers, as mentioned above, which are GNU IceCat, Iridium, Tor, and more. Please remember that even if you use these secure browser alternatives, you get reliable security, but there is no 100% security guarantee as no browser is 100% secure. So, you can increase security on your respective browser by using a VPN and locking down the settings and more. Consider using a VPN, as it uses encryption and IP masking for hiding your activities and private data on the web.

Lock Down Your Browser’s Privacy Settings

One of the most important tasks is to configure the privacy settings of the browser you are using. There are a lot of browsers whose browser settings leave your personal data exposed. You should check and follow at least these steps:

1. Disable all the pop-ups and redirections.
2. Restrict automatic downloads.
3. Always keep a check with the cookies.
4. Always restrict your system’s access to your camera, location, and your microphone.
5. Consider deactivating Flash, JavaScript, and ActiveX.
6. Enable “Send a Do Not Track request.”

Always Keep Your Web Browser Up-to-Date

Even if you have the most secure web browser, it won’t be able to protect you from outside threats if it is not up-to-date. An outdated browser is more prone to threats and can easily be tracked for user information. So, it is necessary for you to keep your browser up-to-date with the latest updates. Do check from time to time for newer updates regarding your browser.

Use Private or Incognito Mode for Browsing

The private mode might not give you complete privacy as the device’s IP address can still be tracked, but the private mode protects your browser cache, web history, cookies, and form data from getting stored when you quit the browser. This simply means that you don’t have to clear your browsing history and other details when you quit the browser as it doesn’t get saved.

Try Using the Browser Security Extensions

Many browsers give you the option to install additional security extensions so that you can get more browser security and privacy. Do make sure that your browser endorses the browser extension you are using. Also, do make sure to turn on the automatic updates for the extension so it can automatically get an update from time to time.

You can easily locate the Chrome, Firefox, and Internet Explorer extensions from the Chrome Web Store, Firefox Add-ons site, Internet Explorer Gallery, respectively. Also, if needed, you can just Google the name of the web browser and use the word “extensions” ahead of it to locate its respective extensions quickly.

Consider Using a VPN When You Browse the Web

A VPN offers your web browser complete protection. It protects your IP address, your identity, location, browsing activities, and more. It can protect the parameters which even your most secure browser fails to protect. So, it is recommended that you should consider using a VPN.

Even the most secure browser with the most advanced settings can’t keep your browsing activities truly secure or private from your ISP, employer, or school. That’s why you should consider getting a VPN.

Final Verdict

So, those mentioned above were the steps with which you can increase your web browser’s security. But do remember one thing at last, but not least, all the tips mentioned above will work if you will use your common sense first. We are saying this because the websites can trick you very easily by posting some malicious links or downloading malware like short bit.ly type links, which might be hiding bad links. If you click on them by mistake, then your secure browser and VPN will remain of no use to you. So, avoid doing that and also always try using HTTPS sites only. Avoid using non-HTTPS connections and also never download or install software from an untrusted site.

Emily Williams  is a Microsoft Office expert and has been working in the technical industry since 2002. As a technical expert, she has written technical blogs, manuals, white papers, and reviews for many websites such as office.com/setup.

Source:-  Improve Security of Your Web Browser with these Steps

 

Tagged Browser