What Makes a Good Web Browser?
Finding the best browser for you with a focus on privacy and security.
Aug 5, 2024 •
10 min •
2130 words
Table of Contents
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Introduction #
We have become significantly more dependent on web browsers now more than ever. An increasing number of applications are now available only as browser-based web apps and cannot be installed directly on your device. Canva, QuickBooks, and Figma are just a few examples of this trend.
Some applications, such as Microsoft Office, offer a hybrid approach that includes web and desktop versions of the product. However, in time, I believe they will discontinue the desktop versions and offer their services exclusively through the browser. The industry is moving in this direction for a myriad of reasons, but as a user, I do not favour this shift.
With this ever-increasing browser dependence, the power is in your hands to choose the browser that suits you best and configure it for the most enjoyable experience. My goal with this article is to empower you with knowledge of the capabilities of modern browsers, give you a brief look at some of the threats that are out there, and show you how you can enhance and protect your browsing experience on the modern web.
Importance of browser privacy and security #
We frequently ask our web browsers questions that we might not feel comfortable sharing, even with our friends or family. Therefore, it’s essential to safeguard our browsers from leaking these pieces of personal data and a wealth of other categories of sensitive information.
Whether it’s your Google searches being used to profile you for higher insurance rates or manipulate your views through curated search results, or if you’re frustrated with almost every website being cluttered with ADs or malware, it’s crucial to take steps to protect yourself.
Here are some of the hazards that are out there on the internet.
Seeing higher prices #
Being tracked online can raise your prices. For example, if you often search for extreme sports and this information about you is shared with an insurance company, you might find that it’s more expensive for you to get travel insurance than someone who is known to take fewer risks.
Another example is if you frequently search for flights to a particular destination or repeatedly check prices for specific dates, airlines and travel websites might use this information to increase ticket prices. This means you could pay more for the same flight compared to someone who hasn’t shown the same level of interest.
Seeing advertisements #
If you’ve been on the internet for any length of time, you’ve encountered advertisements. They’re ubiquitous, appearing in search results, news websites, YouTube, and most other sites. ADs are one of the most noticeable downsides of the internet. Unlike privacy intrusions, they are designed to be clearly visible. Many ADs are used to spread malware, and almost all of them intrude on your privacy to make you more likely to click.
Fixed views and beliefs #
Search engines tailor your search results based on your browsing history. For example, if you frequently search for information on a particular political viewpoint or topic, search engines may prioritise results that align with your past queries. This personalisation can lead to an echo chamber effect, where you primarily see content that reinforces your existing beliefs rather than encountering a balanced range of perspectives.
Lack of privacy #
The websites you visit share your browsing data with third parties for various purposes, such as advertising, analytics, profiling, and integration with other services. This data sharing often includes cross-site cookies, tracking scripts, and browser fingerprinting. Your browsing activity can be collected and sold to other companies, who use it to build detailed profiles for targeted advertising or other objectives. As a result, your personal data is used beyond the context of your innocent web activity, raising significant privacy concerns and resulting in a loss of control over your information.
Compromised security #
Hackers regularly exploit vulnerabilities in websites in hopes of gaining unauthorised access to your accounts, passwords, bank details, cookies, webcams, and microphones, enabling them to do a lot of damage to your life. For instance, malicious websites or browser extensions might discreetly activate your camera or microphone without your knowledge or download malware in the background. Additionally, more advanced attacks can circumvent browser sandboxing to acquire more powerful access to your system. You should configure your browser to protect against these threats.
Can we opt out? #
Opting out of surveillance and working to enhance your privacy is a reasonable and prudent choice. Privacy isn’t about hiding something suspicious; it’s about controlling your personal information and protecting it from misuse. Today, your personal data can be exploited in numerous ways, from driving up your insurance rates to reinforcing biased search results. Just because you have “nothing to hide” doesn’t mean you should forfeit your right to privacy. Protecting your online activities helps prevent these exposures and ensures that your personal information remains under your control.
The answer to this question is “yes”, and fortifying your browser is an excellent place to start if you haven’t already.
Browsers #
Choosing the right browser is crucial. I’ve provided brief descriptions of the most popular ones. Note that these are just summaries and do not cover all the pros and cons of each.
Google Chrome #
Google Chrome is a widely used proprietary web browser that allows users to synchronise their bookmarks, tabs, history, and passwords across multiple devices with a Google account. However, this browser gathers significant amounts of user data and monitors user activities, making Chrome a substantial threat to your privacy should you wish to maintain it. Nevertheless, it is recognised as faster and more secure than Firefox-based browsers and is compatible with nearly all websites.
Brave #
Brave is a free and open-source web browser based on Chrome. It prioritises user privacy by removing Google’s tracking and blocks a good amount of ADs and trackers by default. Further, Brave supports all Chrome extensions. Brave itself contains ADs and cryptocurrency functionality out of the box, but these can be disabled if you choose not to use them.
Firefox #
Firefox is a web browser that differs from Chrome-based browsers in that it uses its own engine, Gecko, instead of Chrome’s. Firefox is highly customisable and provides substantial power to compatible browser extensions, which can enhance and manipulate the browsing experience. Although Firefox prioritises user privacy, it still collects some user data for Mozilla, the developer, and shows ADs and sponsors by default.
LibreWolf #
LibreWolf is a browser based on Firefox. It provides a good balance between privacy, security, performance, and compatibility. You can use all Firefox extensions with LibreWolf, and all of Firefox’s data collection by Mozilla is removed. It includes extra privacy features, which might impact compatibility with some websites depending on your browser’s preferences. Despite being the most minimal browser on this list, it doesn’t lack any essential features.
Others #
I did not mention Edge, Safari, Vivaldi, Opera, or DuckDuckGo as I did not find any noteworthy qualities in them; however, I am familiar with these browsers.
Find a browser that works for you #
When setting up a browser, the first and most crucial step is selecting the right one. While Google Chrome allows for a small amount of customisation, there are better choices if privacy is important to you. There are Chrome-based and Firefox-based browsers, with some people preferring one over the other. Personally, I favour Firefox-based browsers due to their excellent support for extensions, high level of customisation, and user-centric, non-reliance on Google. Here are the two I recommend, as well as the pros and cons I see in each.
Brave #
Pros #
- Faster and more efficient than Google Chrome.
- Blocks a reasonable amount of ADs and trackers by default.
- Uses Chrome as a base, so most websites are optimised for it.
- Supports all Chrome extensions.
- Offers bookmark syncing with other devices.
- Available for Google, Microsoft, Apple, and Linux platforms.
Cons #
- Contains built-in ADs (which can be disabled).
- Contains built-in bloatware (which can be disabled):
- Cryptocurrency wallet
- Cryptocurrency AD program
- AI assistant
- VPN
- Widgets
- News stories
- Uses a confusingly organised Settings menu.
- Chrome-based browsers still aid Google’s browser monopoly.
LibreWolf #
Pros #
- The best AD-blocker available is pre-installed.
- Blocks a reasonable amount of ADs and trackers by default
- Has good default settings, although most may still want to change them.
- Maintains a balance between privacy, security, and usability while keeping essential features.
- No data collection or telemetry.
- Offers more restrictive security features should you wish to enable them.
- Supports all Firefox extensions.
- Has a highly customisable UI built-in, and userChrome.css editing makes more advanced customisation possible.
- Has a lightweight and minimalistic design without lacking essential features.
- Uses Firefox as a base, independent of Google and Chrome.
Cons #
- Some security configurations may impact compatibility with certain websites.
- Some web apps refuse to work in Firefox-based browsers.
- Only available on laptop/desktop systems.
- Firefox-based browsers rely on Mozilla, which may discontinue the browser due to lack of use.
Browser settings #
After installing your preferred browser, you still have important tasks to complete. Visit the settings and check through all of them, configuring as you go.
Here are some steps I advise to configure your web browser:
- Set your preferred search engine to one that works well and does not share or sell your searches and interests.
- DuckDuckGo
- Brave Search
- SearXNG
- Set your preferred homepage. I suggest using a blank page for speed and simplicity.
- Adjust the privacy and security settings according to your needs, such as disabling history or clearing cookies on close.
- Disable autofill and password saving. It is not recommended to use the built-in password manager of any browser.
- Enable HTTPS-Only mode to prevent insecure connections.
- For Firefox users, allow userChrome.css customisation if you plan to edit the UI.
- Enable Google Safe Browsing. This feature does not affect privacy and is also available in LibreWolf.
Browser extensions #
In today’s internet landscape, many of our favourite websites are cluttered with unnecessary elements, making browsing an unpleasant experience. Pop-ups, ADs, cookie notices, and other distractions are ubiquitous. Using browser extensions is essential to making the modern web bearable to navigate.
Ublock Origin #
An AD-blocker is required to have any resemblance of an acceptable experience on today’s web. I recommend uBlock Origin, which is a lightweight, powerful, and customisable AD blocker. It works well by default, but you can enable additional blocking capabilities, such as annoyance and cookie notice blockers, with just a few clicks. This will significantly relieve you from the clutter and distractions of the modern web, making your browsing experience faster and more enjoyable.
SponsorBlock #
This tool is essential for anyone who watches YouTube. It automatically skips embedded ADs and other unwanted sections such as sponsor spots, recaps, intros, and more. Skipping these sections will save you a vast amount of time in the long run, making YouTube much more pleasant.
Smart Referrer #
Did you know that every website you visit can see the previous site you were on? Your browser shares this information, which is valuable data for analytics organisations and advertisers. To prevent this, I recommend using a referrer blocker. The Smart Referer extension disables the HTTP referrer feature, preventing websites from receiving any referrer details.
Skip Redirect #
The Skip Redirect extension saves time by skipping timers designed to delay the user. These are usually in place to incentivise purchases in order to remove delays, but these can be disabled with this extension to save time and improve usability.
ClearURLS #
URLs often include unique parameters for tracking browsing activity, such as advertising IDs, referrer codes, and analytics data. For example, a URL with tracking might look like https://example.com?affiliate_id=12345&user_id=67890, where affiliate_id tracks a referral source and user_id identifies the unique individual user. The extension ClearURLs removes these tracking elements on compatible sites, simplifying URLs to https://example.com and reducing this tracking method where possible.
Extensions can be dangerous
Malicious browser extensions exist; some are extremely popular, even ranking highly in the Chrome and Firefox extension stores. These extensions can steal passwords, credit card information, identity, browsing history, bookmarks, and more. That’s why it’s essential only to use free and open-source extensions that have been verified as trustworthy.
Conclusion #
It’s clear that taking proactive steps to improve our privacy and security while browsing is essential in today’s online landscape. Choosing a browser that emphasises user privacy and security and setting it up to limit data leakage and tracking is vital for protecting our personal information.
Additionally, it’s essential to understand that many of the major companies behind popular browsers may not prioritise the best interests of their users. By making informed decisions about our browsing habits and the browsers and extensions we use, we can have more control over our online identity in the face of invasive corporate interests.