Internet browsers that protect you

In this lesson you will learn which internet browsers protect your privacy.

Why do you need a secure, trusted browser?

Many Internet browsers, such as Google’s Chrome or Microsoft’s Edge, collect data generated when using the Internet. This is, for example, the following information:

Browsing history – the websites you have visited
Credentials – usernames and passwords of your weblogs
Cookies and trackers – these are stored in your browser after you visit websites and help track you across different websites
Autofill information – names, addresses, phone numbers, credit cards, etc.

In combination with your identity, valuable information is created that is of interest to advertisers. Google and Microsoft sell this information to advertising partners, among others, who then show you their advertising. It works in a similar way when you use the Google search engine or Google’s email service. Your entries or searches will also be analyzed there, saved and linked to your identity.

Now we come to the browsers I recommend. Both are available for MS Windows, macOS, iOS, Android and Linux.

Brave

brave.com (for all operating systems and mobile devices) is a fast, lightweight, innovative and secure “open source” browser based on Chromium. The reason I recommend it is that once you install it, you’ll have ready-to-use privacy while surfing. All security products should be as easy to use as Brave is.

Brave is ideal for anyone who doesn’t have the time, patience, or knowledge for browser customization. Another plus is that it can also be used with all Chrome extensions.

With Brave’s own ” Shield” you can immediately without installing additional extensions:

• control/block ads and tracking,
• control / block cookies,
• Prevent browser fingerprinting
• filter phishing & malware,
• perform so-called HTTPS upgrades automatically.

Although Brave wants to protect us from unwanted advertising, the company has started its own advertising program. These ads are audited and participants receive a revenue share from the advertising revenue. This is rightly criticized on the net because it undermines the good product.

Since the advertising system can be hidden so far and Brave really protects its users with the Privacy Shield with almost no additional configuration, Brave remains on my list of recommendations for the time being.

Firefox

mozilla.org/firefox (for all operating systems and mobile devices) is one of the oldest and most stable browsers around. It had a lot of dust under its belt, but was completely overhauled a few years ago. It is robust, stable, secure, fast and open source and can protect your privacy.

More experienced users and users with higher security needs will not mind if they have to make some extensions and configuration settings first.

A word about Safari (on macOS, iOS)

If you’re working on your Mac on macOS and iOS today, Apple’s own Safari browser isn’t a bad option. He has a strong focus on security and privacy. However, you should refrain from using iCloud to synchronize bookmarks or reading history.