What does it mean to be a secure browser? The definition of a secure browser has changed considerably since the last few years. Where once a secure browser meant providing a secure browsing experience protected from malware and harmful links, today it refers to something different. These requirements are fulfilled by almost every one of our most commonly used mainstream browsers today like Chrome and Firefox. So what merits as being a secure web browser today?
While a secure web session protected from harmful attacks and attempts is kind of a prerequisite for most of them, browsers that fall under the ‘secure’ label today are more focused on user privacy which more and more people are beginning to demand for every day. These browsers focus on ensuring user privacy, handing back control to the user, and opting out of data collection systems from firms. Here are a few of our favorite most secure web browsers for privacy:
Tor
You must surely have heard of Tor by now. It is used and mentioned in almost every movie and TV series that revolves around the concept of hacking. There is a good reason for that as Tor is built on an entire infrastructure of hidden relay serves. It is among some of the most advanced privacy web browsers and that is the reason behind it being a little slower than your average browser. Using its full privacy potential can be demanding of your computer resources.
Though Tor guarantees user anonymity within certain limitations, it is important to note that Tor is a privacy-focused browser rather than being focused on security as well. It doesn’t include anti-malware and its design blocks plugins by default. It doesn’t offer a secure environment and prioritizes privacy over security.
Comodo Dragon Browser
Comodo’s Dragon browser is based on Chromium (Google’s open source web browser) and as a result strives to maintain compatibility with things like plugins, stored passwords, and favorites with Google Chrome if you wish for it to do so. It offers you the choice of using Comodo’s SecureDNS servers for all applications or none at all depending on what you choose. The domain filtering system used by Dragon limits exposure to problem domains of the kind that are used by malware.
It also offers its users a virtualized mode for free that might just be its most interesting feature. The mode isolates the browser from the host system, however, users are required to install Comodo Internet Security (CIS) to use this feature. To sum it up, Comodo’s Dragon can be considered much similar to Google Chrome without some of the tracking ads with additional security layers on top.
>> Read also our guide to the most secure flash drives
Brave
Brave is a relatively new browser that nevertheless seems too promising to not be included on this list. While other privacy-focused browsers compromise a little on performance or are too resource intensive, Brave is a surprisingly light competitor in the secure browsers market offering blazing fast browsing speeds on top of a private internet session. Brave claims that it helps you to block ads and trackers by default to save you monthly amount on your data plans as well as ensuring your privacy and an ad-free internet session.
Brave’s private mode protects you from tracking software, that you’re tired of being followed around by, and thus reduces chances of your system getting infected as well. Its HTTPS upgrades secure your connection. The developers claim that they will soon incorporate Tor level privacy in their private tab so that users will be able to benefit from even deeper privacy.
Epic Privacy Browser
Epic is another browser based on Chromium and eliminates almost every feature to focus on and maximize user privacy. At the end of every session, the browser eliminates cookies and trackers. It also makes sure your IP address cannot be connected to a search by proxying every search through the company’s own servers. The browser also prioritizes SSL connections wherever possible.
The ad blocking on Epic is excellent. On top of that, it collects no data about its users. Its Active Do Not Track feature, one click anonymizing proxy, and the wiping all browsing traces on browser exit make it a great minimalistic browser for privacy.