Web browsers are complex and feature rich and I will not list selection criteria here. For almost all users, I only recommend two web browsers: Brave and Firefox (modified).
Brave is a secure browser with strong privacy protections. It’s based on the open-source browser, Chromium, which is the foundation of the Google Chrome browser. Unlike Google Chrome, it’s configured for privacy protection by default. This makes it a great choice for those who lack the know-how and desire to configure their browser manually for privacy and security. And it supports Chrome extensions, making it a great replacement for Chrome.
While Brave is U.S. based, it’s free, open-source and has been extensively reviewed by security researchers. It incorporates strong encryption and does not collect your personal information. It’s available on all major operating systems and devices. A privacy-preserving ad program funds Brave, providing a dependable source of revenue to maintain and evolve the browser without selling you as the product.
The link to Brave is: https://brave.com/
Firefox is a product of the Mozilla Foundation. The Mozilla Foundation (https://foundation.mozilla.org) advocates for privacy, inclusion and decentralization, to create a safer, more transparent online experience for everyone. Among other activities, they maintain the free and open source browser, Firefox. Firefox is a descendant of the original Netscape browser and has been around since 2002. It’s arguably the best browser available that combines strong privacy protection features, good security, active development, and regular updates. Firefox is available on all major operating systems and devices. It’s funded by donations to the Mozilla Foundation.
Updated January 2025: Firefox “out of the box” requires further configuration to be private and secure. See the configuration guide at: https://cyberinsider.com/firefox-privacy/ . CyberInsider is a terrific resource for tools and information on privacy and security in digital environments. If you want to dig deeper into any of the topics in this blog, CyberInsider (https://cyberinsider.com/) is a great place to start. I agree with the positions taken by CyberInsider on most topics.
The link to Firefox is: https://www.mozilla.org . Select the tab to “Firefox Browsers.”
If you choose to use Firefox, I recommend installing the following four browser add-ons. To install them, click on the application menu (three horizontal lines, all the way to the right on the Menu Bar), select “Add-ons and themes,” and search for the extensions below. You can install them directly from the return results by clicking on “Add to Firefox.” Note that the protections they provide are largely incorporated directly into the Brave browser.
- Privacy Badger: Blocks spyware and trackers. This may break some web sites but is easily disabled for a site.
- uBlock Origin: Efficiently filters both ads and trackers.
- Decentraleyes: Protects against tracking by content delivery networks operated by third parties.
- Firefox Multi-Account Containers: Isolates browser storage between tabs. This prevents inadvertent sharing of data between sites. For instance, you may wish to have separate tabs for banking, shopping, social networking, and news.
Let’s see how our friends Alice and Bob met their web browser needs.
Alice has a Windows 11 PC to support her personal IT consulting business and a MacBook Pro for personal use. She carries an iPhone for both personal and business calls. Alice installed Firefox Desktop on her Windows PC and her MacBook. She modified the browsers using the guidance on CyberInsider, and being an IT professional, added some further hardening based on her personal knowledge. She also added the four extensions recommended above. Alice installed the iOS Firefox app on her iPhone, which required no further configuration. She contributed to the Mozilla Foundation to support their excellent work in the public interest. She always contributes to open source software products that she uses. Fair is fair.
Bob installed Firefox on his desktop PC and configured it as tight as a drum. He also installed the extensions recommended above and several others. His configuration broke some websites but, in his paranoia, he was undeterred. He installed the Brave browser on his sister’s PC and phone. She was less technical, less paranoid, and the privacy-preserving ads did not bother her. Bob also preferred not to become her permanent tech support and Brave was easier to manage.
You now have the knowledge you need to make your own choice. Make that choice a secure and private browser. You won’t regret it (and you may regret not doing so.)
Next, we’ll talk about managing metadata in photos you take with digital camera and phones.
Information provided in this post is subject to the disclaimer in the first post of this series.