With all the stories making news these days about data leaks and the selling of your browsing data, how do you protect yourself?
In addition to using strong passwords and a secure password manager, be sure you are using a top notch privacy-oriented browser, not one that treats you and your data as a product, for sale to the highest bidder.
Privacy is Foremost
- Arc : "The comfort of privacy. Arc is built from the ground up to be private and secure. We don't know which websites you visit.
We don't see what you type into the browser. We don't sell your data to third parties." Currently Mac only (and is in Beta), with a Windows wailist available.
- Brave : "The best privacy online. 3x faster than Chrome. Better protection from Google and Big Tech. Stop being followed online.
Online privacy made simple. A difference you can see... and feel. No creepy ads & trackers means less stuff (visible or hidden) on every web page you visit. And that means faster page loadd, better battery
life, even mobile data savings." Also on this site, read more about their new Search Engine.
- Comodo : "What's Better Than Firefox and Chrome? Simple. Firefox and Chrome
with Built-in Cybersecurity! Introducing the all-in-one web browsers. One version for those who love Firefox (Comodo IceDragon) and one for those who love Chrome (Dragon). Either way, security is paramount."
- Epic : "Stop getting tracked. Block 600+ tracking attempts in an average browsing session. Turn on network privacy with our
free VPN. The Epic Privacy Browser is a fast, private, secure, chromium-based web browser that blocks ads, trackers, fingerprinting, cryptomining, ultrasound signaling and more." If you are a big user of
extensions, this might not be the browser for you (or at least, not your "daily driver").
- Iridium : "A Browser securing your privacy. That's it. Speed: Iridium is just fast in every way. It starts very fast,
loads and also renders very complex web sites really fast. Privacy: Chromium (which Iridium is based on) is a very secure browser, yes. But it does call home to Google and we did even more to enhance security
to the maximum extent possible. Ease of Use: Just anybody can use Iridium right away. It is simple and easy to handle, it does not require any special knowledge at all."
- LibreWolf : "This project is an independent fork of Firefox, with the primary goals of privacy, security and user freedom.
LibreWolf is designed to increase protection against tracking and fingerprinting techniques, while also including a few security improvements. This is achieved through our privacy and security oriented settings
and patches. LibreWolf also aims to remove all the telemetry, data collection and annoyances, as well as disabling anti-freedom features like DRM."
- Puffin : "Stay safe surfing the web. Popular browsers boast a plethora of features, but often fall short in
fully protecting users. Using our advanced remote browser technology, Puffin Secure Browser provides all the benefits without sacrificing security."
- SRWare Iron : "Download the best browser in the world. Renowned for privacy and security. Free! For Windows,
Android, Linux and Mac."
- Tor : This is most likely the best known among privacy & security oriented browsers. In fact, it's so secure
it is used by the US Navy for intelligence work. Law enforcement organizations who want to visit websites without leaving government IP addresses around to be discovered are big users. And, it can be used with
all major OS such as Windows, Mac, Android, iOS and Linux. If your connection to the internet is not the fastest, this might not be the best browser for you.
- Vivaldi : "What makes Vivaldi different? More features, not fewer. Everything's an option (set Vivaldi up the way you want. How your browser works is
up to you. It's your browser, your business. Privacy is our primary concern."
- Waterfox : "The best way to browse the web today. Waterfox gives you a sane way to browse the web. Built with you, the user, in mind.
Tracking Protection. Private Browsing. Limited to no 'Phoning Home'."
Honorable Mention
- Epic : "Epic is a private, secure web browser that blocks ads, trackers, fingerprinting, cryptomining, ultrasound signaling and more.
Stop 600+ tracking attempts in an average browsing session. Turn on network privacy with our free VPN (servers in 8 countries)."
- Good Gopher : "The #1 search source for independent news." They also have Gopher Mail, "Free Inbox. 100% uncensored. Zero spam."
- Pale Moon : "Pale Moon is an Open Source, Goanna-based web browser available for Microsoft Windows and Linux (with contributed other
operating system support), focusing on efficiency and customization. Make sure to get the most out of your browser! Pale Moon offers you a browsing experience in a browser completely built from its own, independently developed
source that has been forked off from Firefox/Mozilla code a number of years ago, with carefully selected features and optimizations to improve the browser's stability and user experience, while offering full customization and
a growing collection of extensions and themes to make the browser truly your own."
