For example, the way it handles JavaScript can break certain websites, so you may have to adjust the browser’s settings to get websites to work, and you still won’t be secure if you don’t implement the browser’s tools properly. Nothing is tracked, nothing is stored, and you can forget about bookmarks and cookies”.īut although that makes it more secure, it also makes it difficult to use. Tech Radar calls it “a package of tools make it the most secure browsing experience you’re likely to find. Tor Browser takes security and privacy to extremes.
It has even removed ad-block software from Google Play so that users can’t block the site’s adverts. Google tracks and analyses an inordinate amount of users’ data, including browsing history, location, purchases, music preferences and subscriptions. However, Chrome is notorious for its poor privacy. This conclusion supports Chrome’s performance at the last Pwn2Own hacking competition, in which it came out ahead of every other browser and only one exploit was successfully executed. “It’s based on a very good engine and has a history of getting new security patches applied the most quickly.” “Google Chrome seems to be the best choice for security these days,” says Tip Top Security. Granted, this doesn’t technically make the browser any more secure, but it does mean it is less likely to be attacked. It also includes an integrated ad-blocker.Īnother benefit of Opera is that it has a very small market share (1.23%), which makes it a less lucrative target for hackers.
Since April 2016, Opera has come with a free built-in virtual private network, which means users can browse privately and securely.
That means anyone can see the source code to make sure there is nothing malicious in it.Ī few years ago, Opera was starting to develop a reputation for poor security, but in 2013 its developers adopted Chromium – the same proprietary engine used by Google Chrome – and drastically improved its security. What little data Mozilla collects doesn’t get traded to third parties, and unlike other browsers, it’s completely open source. It was hacked in record time at the 2015 Pwn2Own hacking competition, and it wasn’t invited back the following year because “ wanted to focus on the browsers that have made serious security improvements in the last year”.įirefox can be made more secure by installing the plugins recommended by Privacy Tools, and it remains a good option if you value privacy. Once considered a top browser for security, Mozilla Firefox has fallen from grace in recent years.
It’s effectively a revised version of IE that addresses the security concerns of its predecessor, but because it can’t be run on older versions of Windows, it’s not a viable option for the majority of organisations using Windows legacy systems. These features were addressed with Microsoft Edge, a browser exclusive to Windows 10. A sandbox is a virtual container that attempts to keep the Internet away from the rest of your system, and Tip Top Security considers it essential for most users.Īnother problem is that IE supports ActiveX and Browser Help Objects, which are common attack vectors for hackers. One of IE’s biggest flaws is its questionable sandboxing. But be warned: Tip Top Security advises users to “ even bother with IE anymore unless it’s absolutely necessary”. Most organisations use a Windows operating system, which means your default browser is Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE). Sensible browsing habits are always the cornerstone of Internet security, but some browsers are better designed to protect you than others. You may not think twice about the web browser you and your employees use, but it can affect your organisation’s security.