5 Browser Security Features Everyone Should be Using

17 October 2024 (16:00)

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Disable autofill and password saving options in Chrome

Key things

Disable autofill and password saving options to prevent unauthorized access.
To prevent websites from tracking your online activities, activate “Do Not Track”.
Enable pop-up blocking to prevent malware and phishing attempts.

Your Internet browser is the gateway to your online activities, where you access email, browse social media, and transact. With so much sensitive information shared online, prioritizing security when browsing the web is essential. Here are five browser security features everyone should be using.

1 Disable autofill and save password options

When you visit a website and enter your login information, your browser may prompt you to save your password. While this makes things easier, it also brings security risks. If someone gains access to your device, they can access your account without a password. So it is safer to disable this feature and enter the password manually.

Disable autofill in Google Chrome

Go to Settings > Autofill and passwords > Google Password Manager > Settings.
Turn off Offer to save passwords and access keys.

Disable autofill in Mozilla Firefox

Disable autofill and password saving options in Firefox

OPEN Settings and select Privacy and security > Passwords.
Uncheck Fill in usernames and passwords automatically.

Once you disable this option, you’ll have to manually enter your credentials for each site, but it’s a small price to pay for the added security.

2 Activate “Do Not Track”

As you browse the Internet, your browser collects information about your online behavior and shares it with advertisers. This is how you see targeted ads based on your interests and browsing history. As a result, you may be at risk of identity theft and data leakage. Since most browsers now have a “Do Not Track” option that asks websites not to track your online activities for targeted advertising.

Activate Do Not Track in Google Chrome

Activate the Do Not Track function in Chrome

Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Third party cookies.
Turn it on Send a “Do Not Track” request with browsing traffic.

Activate Do Not Track in Mozilla Firefox

Activate the Do Not Track option in Firefox

OPEN Settings > Privacy and security.
Under Website Privacy Preferences, select Send a “Do Not Track” request to websites..

When activated, this option requires websites to stop tracking your activities and displaying personalized ads. However, not all websites comply with the “Do Not Track” policy, which means that targeted ads may persist.

3 Enable pop-up blocking

Pop-ups are small windows that appear when you browse the web. They can trick you into clicking on links or downloading malicious code, compromising your security. Once clicked, the malware can infect your device and steal sensitive information such as personal information, login details, and financial information.

Some pop-ups redirect you to fake websites that look real. To protect yourself from these threats, you must activate a pop-up blocker in your browser.

Google Chrome

Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Site Settings > Pop-ups and redirects.
Choose Do not allow websites to send pop-ups or use redirects.

Mozilla Firefox

Go to Settings > Privacy and security.
Go to Authorizationand check the box next to it Block pop-ups.

4 Use advanced protection settings

Safe browsing practices such as updating your software regularly, avoiding suspicious links, and using strong passwords can protect you from most online threats. However, sometimes these measures are not enough. You can enable advanced protection settings in your browser for more security.

This feature alerts you to potentially dangerous sites and detects threats that Google may not have detected. It performs an in-depth scan of suspicious downloads and protects all Google services after signing in. As a result, your protection settings will remain active even if you change devices or browsers.

To enable advanced protection settings, follow these steps:

Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Security.
Under Safe Browsing, select Increased protection.

5 Always use secure connections

When browsing the Internet, you may notice a small padlock icon next to a web page URL. This icon indicates that the website uses a secure connection called HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure). It shows that the information exchanged between your device and the website is encrypted, protecting it from outsiders.

Enabling this setting in your browser ensures that you always use secure connections. Once enabled, your browser will use HTTPS whenever available. If the site doesn’t support HTTPS, you’ll get a warning before it loads.