Pagoda Blog

Your web browser determines much of your experience on the internet, from load times to the number of pop-up ads you see. What browser you choose depends on the type of work you’re conducting online, your operating system, personal preferences, and the level of security you deem necessary for your work. We lay out 6 of the top browsers and review their security features and overall functionality so you can be both protected and productive.

 

What makes a browser secure? 

Before we dive into each browser and its features, it’s important to understand what makes a browser secure in the first place. What security features should you be looking for in a web browser and what exactly is the function of each feature? Below we lay out the primary security features you should review before conducting online activity in any browser. 

 

Chromium-based or open-source

Browsers that are open source allow anyone to review their code, allowing users to verify for themselves if that browser is collecting your data. Chromium is an open-sourced project started by Google that provides open-source code for web browsers. According to Chromium.org it “aims to build a safer, faster, and more stable way for all users to experience the web.” Several browsers use Chromium, including Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Brave. While Chromium has become a gold-standard for open-source code, not all secure browsers use it. Tor and Firefox, for example, both offer open-source code that is not Chromium-based. 

 

Blocks invasive ads 

Any reputable browser will block the highly invasive ads that take over most of your screen, interrupting your browsing experience and sometimes requiring you to force quit your browser. 

 

Warns you about sites deemed “unsafe” 

Again, a reputable browser should notify you before a site loads if it identifies it as unsafe. This is an obvious reason why your website should use HTTPS. 

 

Gives you control over permissions 

Permissions control how websites interact with your connected device. These permissions are basically what cookies are stored on your browser, ranging from your location to camera and microphone access. Most browsers allow you to block or allow certain types of cookies, depending on your privacy concerns. This article from Wired details how to manage your permissions in Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari. 

 

Disables pop-ups and redirects by default 

All the top web browsers now block pop-ups and redirects by default, helping to protect you from malicious pop-up notifications or fake websites trying to lure you into clicking a link or entering personal information that could then be used to launch a malware attack or lead to a data breach. This is a critical security feature but can also prevent some websites from performing necessary functions, like displaying a live chat window, account verification form, or directing you to another secure site that allows you to complete the task at hand. For these scenarios, it’s helpful to know how to temporarily disable your browser’s pop-up blocker. 

 

Disabling scripts 

Scripts are programming languages or a set of instructions that tells another program what to do. JavaScript is the most common and is used to run most websites so you don’t want to disable all scripts. There are invasive scripts, however, that can be used to launch malware attacks which is why some browsers either disable scripts by default or allow you to selectively disable those scripts that pose a risk. 

 

Gives you control over your browsing history and cache 

According to Kinsta, whenever you visit a website, your web browser saves certain information from that site on your computer’s hard drive in something called the “browser cache.” This cache serves to speed up load times but it can sometimes cause issues if it’s saving and reloading an old version of a website, preventing you from viewing the most current version. Most major web browsers allow you to clear your browsing history and cache so you can easily troubleshoot these issues on your own. 

 

Frequent updates 

Just like with any software, your web browser should update frequently to ensure you have all the latest security patches to prevent hackers from gaining access. 

 

Blocks third-party trackers

A secure web browser will block third-party trackers from collecting and storing data from your online searches.

 

Security and functionality of 6 top browsers 

Now let’s look at the top 6 browsers for 2022 and their security and functionality features so you can make an informed decision about the best one for your needs. 

 

1. Google Chrome

✓Chromium-based or open-source (Partially open source )

✓Blocks invasive ads by default

✓Warns about unsafe sites 

✓Permission controls  

✓Cache and history controls 

✓Frequent updates (every 6-8 weeks) 

x Blocks third-party trackers 

 

Chrome dominates the market share, with 63.58% across all device types. It claimed the top spot back in 2012 and hasn’t lost it since. Chrome is so widely used for several reasons. It’s compatible across platforms, making it incredibly easy to sync your data across devices. When you sign into your Google account on a new device, all your Chrome bookmarks, saved data, and preferences are there waiting for you. It also has a large suite of extensions available through the Chrome Web Store. Users also like its built-in password manager, although we always recommend using a standalone password manager for optimal security.

Related reading: Is It Safe to Store Passwords in Chrome and Other Browsers? 

 

Chrome beats all other browsers in terms of capabilities, ease of use, and speed but its security isn’t as robust as some of its competitors. Even though Chrome offers a wide range of permission controls, allowing you to customize your privacy settings, it still shares much of your browsing activity and personal information with Google. In order to use the browser, you must be signed into a Google account and it allegedly shares your information with Google even when in its popular Incognito mode. 

 

2. Apple Safari 

x Chromium-based or open-source

x Blocks invasive ads by default

✓Warns about unsafe sites 

✓Permission controls

✓Cache and history controls 

𐄂 Frequent updates 

✓Blocks third-party trackers 

 

Safari is only available on Apple devices, limiting its usability factor. It is the default browser for Macs, however, making it the second most-used browser. It’s not quite as fast as Chrome but will save you battery life due to inhouse optimizations. Surprisingly, Safari offers far less frequent updates than its top rivals; perhaps because some argue Macs are typically more secure than PCs. 

 

One unique security feature offered by Safari is that it runs web pages in a sandbox. According to ExpressVPN, “this prevents malicious code on one page from affecting the entire browser or accessing your data.” While Safari does offer robust security features, allowing you to protect your data from third-party trackers, it shares your browsing activity with Apple and is closed-source, preventing anyone outside of Apple from reviewing its code and verify how your data is being used.

 

3. Microsoft Edge

✓Chromium-based (Partially open-source )

✓Blocks invasive ads by default

✓Warns about unsafe sites 

✓Permission controls

✓Cache and history controls 

✓Frequent updates (at least once a week)

✓Blocks third-party trackers 

 

Edge is Internet Explorer’s replacement, after retiring Internet Explorer in 2015. Edge is now a top choice for Windows users and is available to other operating systems including Mac, Android, and iOS. It boasts a better shopping experience than any other browser due to its built-in tools that can save you money. Its security is also better than Chrome but load speeds are a bit slower and it’s not quite as easy to sync data across platforms and devices. 

 

The browser is Chromium-based, however, and integrates with Chrome’s extensions. It even allows you to download Chrome’s bookmarks toolbar if you prefer to keep the look and feel of Chrome with a browser that’s slightly more compatible with PCs. 

 

Edge offers three security levels: Basic, Balanced, and Strict. Learn more about these security levels and how to protect your privacy with Edge here. 

 

4. Mozilla Firefox

✓Chromium-based (Entirely open-source )

x Blocks invasive ads by default 

✓Warns about unsafe sites 

✓Permission controls

✓Cache and history controls 

✓Frequent updates 

✓Blocks third-party trackers 

 

Firefox is developed by Mozilla, the only nonprofit organization out of all the top browsers listed here. Its code is written and updated entirely by volunteers which is quite impressive considering how well the browser has kept pace with its larger, for-profit competitors. They offer a Protections Dashboard so you can clearly see how Firefox is protecting your privacy. Firefox is known for its commitment to privacy and a high level of customization within its security settings. It does not, however, block invasive ads by default. This is mostly because it was created back in 2004, before invasive ads were such a pervasive problem. Their tracking protection makes it harder for websites to track and share your activity but in order to actually block ads, you will need to use an ad-blocker extension. 

 

In comparison to Chrome, Firefox has similar page load times and a modern, user-friendly interface. It’s not quite as easy to sync data and settings across devices and platforms but it’s close. It was created before Chrome which means it actually works better with some older apps — a definite consideration depending on the applications you rely on for work. 

 

5. Tor Browser

✓Chromium-based (Entirely open-source )

✓Blocks invasive ads 

✓Warns about unsafe sites 

✓Permission controls

✓Cache and history controls 

✓Frequent updates 

✓Blocks third-party trackers 

 

Tor is based on Firefox’s code but gives a higher level of security and anonymity to its users. The browser doesn’t track your browsing history or store any cookies after a session is complete. Tor encrypts your activity, effectively masking your identity, by “bouncing your communications around a distributed network of relays.” Unfortunately, this process of encryption leads to much slower page load times, making this browser the least convenient choice. 

 

It also automatically blocks all scripts and doesn’t have an option to unblock, which means some websites won’t work at all through the Tor Browser. These apps include browser plugins such as Flash, RealPlayer, and Quicktime. While Tor is by far the most secure browser available, its high level of encryption makes it too inconvenient for most users. 

 

6. Brave 

✓Chromium-based (Entirely open-source )

✓Blocks invasive ads 

✓Warns about unsafe sites 

✓Permission controls

✓Cache and history controls 

✓Frequent updates 

✓Blocks third-party trackers 

 

Brave was launched in 2016 and is a fierce competitor in terms of both security and convenience. It’s three times faster than Chrome, works across operating systems, and allows you to import bookmarks, extensions, and passwords from your old browser. It meets all the basic browser security standards and has a feature that secures unencrypted sites with HTTPS by default. It also automatically blocks all ads (contributing to its impressive speed). In April 2019, however, it launched its own ad program that generates income through its own form of cryptocurrency called Basic Attention Tokens (BATs). This has drawn some controversy since part of Brave’s original promise to users was an ad-free browsing experience. 

How to change your default browser

 

Changing your default browser is a slightly different set of steps depending on your operating system, but in general you simply download your web browser of choice, go to settings (either three dots in the upper right hand corner of the browser window or three horizontal lines) and set it as your default. To improve the security of your browser, you can add a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to your computer. 

Feature photo by DocuSign on Unsplash

 

Related reading: 

 

Your Web Browser and ISP Know You Better Than You Think

What Type of IT Support Is Best For Your Business?

5 Cybersecurity Threats to Your Business and How to Prevent Them 

 

Want to get more posts like these once a month in your inbox? Sign up for the Pagoda newsletter and sharpen your technical skills, from cybersecurity to digital marketing. 

 

 

Want IT to serve you better?

 

 

 

About Pagoda Technologies IT services

Based in Santa Cruz, California, Pagoda Technologies provides trusted IT support to businesses and IT departments throughout Silicon Valley, the San Francisco Bay Area and across the globe. To learn how Pagoda Technologies can help your business, email us at support@pagoda-tech.com to schedule a complimentary IT consultation.