Most Secure Web Browsers 2024 (2024)

Unfortunately in today’s world, a simple internet search for the best Thai restaurants in a neighbourhood or a quick glance at a bank account can leave internet users open to a world of bad news. From marketers trying to mine your data for monetary gain to hackers trying to find personal information, it is no wonder online privacy is one of the biggest concerns in the tech world. A secure browser and security features designed to protect your privacy are key to keeping personal data safe from these nefarious activities.

Blocking Third-Party Trackers

Several popular web browsers act more like a data collection agency for advertisers rather than a consumer tool. These browsers track and store a person’s browsing history, then sell that data to corporations to use for advertising purposes. This allows tech companies to monetize your data.

Some users find this helpful, as search results are tailored to their specific preferences, however, other users find it as a breach of privacy. If you are in the second group, make sure your web browser blocks all third-party trackers and storage. This will prevent tech companies from collecting and storing data from your online searches.

Incognito Browsing

While incognito or private browsing sounds like it is a secure option, it still leaves you and your data exposed. While private browsing does erase your information, your IP address and location are still being shared with every website, ad and tracker that loads in your browser. That information can then be sold to third parties. Incognito mode also allows people to spy on your computer activities through key-logging software.

Password Management

While it is convenient to store passwords in browsers to automatically log you into frequently used websites, this leaves you vulnerable to hackers. Browsers generally store these passwords using plaintext. Use password management software for better password protection. A secure password manager stores user information and passwords in an encrypted archive that does not leave your data vulnerable to attacks.

Browser Compartmentalization

Most of us use the same browser to go between email, web surfing, social media and back while being continuously logged into all our accounts. Services like Gmail and Facebook will track your web browsing activities while you are logged in to their websites.

One of the easiest ways to prevent this is to compartmentalize your browsers. Use one browser solely for web browsing. Use another browser solely for online accounts that require a password. Make sure you change privacy settings to ensure the cookies are turned off and that the browser is not storing your browsing history. Also, always log out of social media and email accounts when you are not using them.

Brave is arguably one of the best web browsers for all-around security. The open- source browser includes a built-in ad blocker and a script blocker, automatically upgrading to HTTPS, blocking all third-party storage and protecting against browser fingerprinting. One of the biggest advantages of using Brave is the fact its privacy features are automatically set up. Users do not have to customize features to increase their security.

Firefox is a great option for privacy and security, but users must first tweak the settings to customize for great security. Firefox collects and stores your usage and performance data by default. To opt out of this practice, disable telemetry data collection. Spend time in the privacy settings to turn on pop-up blocking, anti-fingerprinting protection and phishing protection.

Google Chrome is popular because of its functional and fun interface. While the company stays on top of its security features with constant updates, it is safe to assume all your browsing actions on Google are collected, saved to your data profile and used for targeted advertising. It is hard to tell how Google tracks its users because it is not open source, but it is not a good tool to use for anyone concerned about privacy issues.

Antivirus Software

To create a secure browsing experience, make sure to invest in antivirus software. This protects your computer from malware and cybercriminals by continuously scanning your computer for malicious attacks. As with any software, there is a wide range of options with various price points and security features. Forbes Advisor created a list of the best antivirus software to help narrow down your search.

VPN

Virtual private networks (VPNs) help secure your web traffic data against hackers, snoops, and marketers by allowing you to create a secure internet connection. VPNs use end-to-end encryption to hide data and IPS addresses by routing data through an encrypted tunnel. This is especially useful when internet browsers are relying on a public Wi-Fi network, which could be easily susceptible to hackers.

These days, VPNs are popular for a wide variety of reasons, but not all VPNs are equally reliable. Forbes Advisor evaluated the best VPNs on the market to help you pick the right fit for your needs.

Canadian specific editing and research (including pricing) conducted by Anna Rey.