How I made my browser more private (and you too)
I dug into my browser settings and explored other options to make it a little more private, which makes me feel better about all the hours I spend surfing the internet. Here are some simple steps to protect your browser privacy, just like me.
1 Use your browser’s built-in privacy features
One of the easiest ways to make your browsing more private is to run your browser in incognito mode. Protects your browsing history, cookies and site data from being stored on your device after you close your session. But remember, this doesn’t stop websites from tracking you or your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to see what you’re doing.
Most browsers have a feature that alerts you when you’re about to visit a website known to be risky, whether it’s trying to steal your data or infect your device with malware. In Chrome, it’s called Enhanced Safe Browsing. Firefox calls it phishing protection. And if you’re using Microsoft Edge, it’s called Enhanced Security mode. To enable it, go to settings and look for this feature – the steps will vary depending on your browser.
I also changed Google as my default search engine to something more privacy oriented. There are privacy-focused search engines like DuckDuckGo or Startpage that don’t track your search history or create a creepy profile about you.
Finally, depending on your browser, you can adjust your settings to limit the data advertisers collect (such as your browsing activity) or even opt out of personalized ads altogether, which I found incredibly useful. You can also block third-party cookies that are known to track your every move online and report to advertisers and data brokers.
2 Configure your browser settings to maximize privacy
You can start by turning off “Enhanced Spell Check” in your browser. This feature sends everything you type to Google servers for analysis. It’s not just looking for spelling mistakes – any form you fill out, any password you type wrong, any search you perform – all of this could potentially be sent to the cloud.
I used to think that search suggestions were very convenient because features like “Improve search suggestions” and “Improve search and browsing” are enabled. I start typing “how to make money” and before I finish it she suggests “pancakes”, “money” and “your ex is jealous”. But then I realized that these search suggestions could potentially be sending my search queries to the cloud. So I turned it off to stop the auto-suggestions in my browser with its (sometimes very inaccurate) guesses about what I’m looking for. Sure, it means I have to type a few more letters before hitting enter, but I’ll trade that for more privacy any day.
I’ve also made it a rule to regularly check site permissions and deny access to anything—location, camera, microphone, or notifications—that seems unnecessary. While there are legitimate reasons, some sites need access to them (such as video calls or maps), others are just curious.
3 Clear your browser data regularly
I have a habit of clearing my browser data whenever I’m done using the browser. I don’t mind logging back into a few sites if it means keeping prying eyes at bay. Plus, it’s refreshing to know that my browser isn’t keeping a miniature archive of everything I’ve looked at in the past month.
4 Use privacy-enhancing extensions
You can install several privacy-enhancing browser extensions that work behind the scenes to block trackers, ads, and other shady things that try to track you around the web. If you’re wondering if using these extensions will slow down your browser, I don’t think so. In fact, because they block so much spam (like ads and tracking scripts) in the first place, my pages often load faster. It’s a win-win: better privacy and smoother browsing.
If you’re new to using extensions, don’t overdo it. You don’t need to install all privacy-related extensions. Too many extensions can sometimes cause problems with websites not loading properly, so it’s all about finding the right balance.
5 Use a VPN
icon hovering over the screen.” src=”https://static1.makeuseofimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/a-person-holding-a-phone-with-a-vpn-icon-hovering-above-the-screen.jpg” style=”display:block;height:auto;max-width:100%;”/> ISPs are notorious for collecting user data, selling it to advertisers, or even sharing it with the government. And let’s not forget the risks when you connect to public Wi-Fi networks – like those found at your local coffee shop or airport – where bad guys can intercept your data. A VPN turns that sketchy public Wi-Fi into a much more secure experience.
There are many good VPN services out there, but I recommend using one with a no-logging policy (meaning they don’t keep records of your online activity). Be careful even with free VPNs. They often come with major security compromises, such as collecting and selling your data themselves.
6 Use a privacy-focused browser
If you’re using a regular browser like Chrome, you might want to consider the trade-off you’re making for convenience. Google’s Chrome is fast, reliable, and everywhere. But here’s the catch: Chrome is owned by Google, whose business model revolves around collecting and monetizing your data. This means that unless you take steps to tighten your privacy, your browsing history, searches and habits are fed into a huge data collection machine that is used to target ads and track you around the web.
Fortunately, there are several browsers built with privacy in mind, such as Brave and LibreWolf. Switching to one of these can save you the trouble of tweaking your current browser’s privacy settings.