Some people don’t see data harvesting as an invasion of privacy, but as algorithms improve, so too does a company’s ability to draw astonishing conclusions about you and potentially even personally identify you. Your IP address, location, browsing habits and search history can all be analyzed and used to paint a surprisingly detailed portrait of you – a valuable product for marketers, advertisers and others looking to capitalize on your web usage. Rather than charging users to download their browsers, some developers make their money by collecting user data and selling it. Companies use these for advertising and trend analysis purposes, but even if you manage to avoid corporate trackers, your browser itself could still be keeping tabs on you. If you’ve ever viewed a product on an online store and then seen ads for that same product on every other website you visit, you’re familiar with web trackers. Specifically, they don’t lock down your data because they intend to collect and distribute it to third parties. Part of the problem is that many browsers require a weaker level of security for some of their features to work. SSL/TLS certificates can be faked, and malicious hackers keep their exploit discussions private so as not to alert the developers and the wider public until the damage has already been done. Technologies are improving – most sites now use HTTPS to ensure a secure connection, and many browser developers work tirelessly to patch security holes as soon as they’re noticed – but the system isn’t foolproof yet. By doing so, they’re able to intercept user data, steal files, install malware on computers and wreak all sorts of havoc on unsuspecting web surfers. Through creativity and computational prowess, today’s hackers work hard to identify and exploit coding mistakes and poor programming in web browsers. We’ve got more access than ever before to advanced apps and powerful programs, but we’re also more exposed to viruses, malware, and hacking, much of which is made possible by browser exploits. Security Holes and ExploitsĬoding and computer programming are becoming increasingly common skills in today’s wired world, a trend that has both good and bad implications. But even with all of these protections in place, your privacy could still be at risk thanks to an unexpected weak link: your web browser. When we think of online safety, several things usually come to mind: antivirus programs, firewalls, secure passwords, and trusted WiFi networks. The Most Secure and Private Web Browsers.Bottom Line: Use Google Chrome with Caution.Bottom Line: Microsoft’s Edge Browser Is a Step in the Right Direction, but It’s Still Not Ready for Prime Time.Bottom Line: Don’t Use Microsoft’s Internet Explorer Browser, Period.Then we’ll go over the best – and worst – browsers, plus a few handy tips to help you stay secure no matter how you browse. Let’s take a look at the basics of browser security and find out why it’s so important to use a web browser that respects your privacy. And depending on your specific needs, one is sure to be right for you. With new stories popping up every day regarding data harvesting, malware attacks, and government surveillance, it’s no wonder that more and more internet users are ditching their default apps and switching to a secure private browser – but what, exactly, does that mean, and which one is the best? From big names like Firefox to rising stars like Epic and Comodo Dragon, you’ve got plenty of choices. Ever since the internet became mainstream, a great debate has taken place both in and out of techie circles: which web browser is the best? In the past, positions have been chosen based on UI design, extension selections, and loading speeds, but these days it seems that the main criteria are security and privacy.
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