Today, online privacy and security have become so highly valued, and choosing a web browser geared towards maintaining the safety and security of your personal data has become very important – as important as installing the right antivirus software.
As a Mac user, you don’t have to stick with the most popular browsers as there are others to choose from too that may offer better privacy and security for you.
What characteristics should you look for?
Basic techniques like knowing how to erase browsing history and setup private settings on your social media accounts can go a long way into staying secure online. But if you use secure browsers, these will improve your safety even more. When selecting a browser, focus on these characteristics:
Usability and Compatibility – Developers sometimes test more extensively on browsers that compete with each other. You might have to switch your browser for the best possible experience.
In the same manner, if you need to use a specific browser at work and you have to work from home, using the same browser on your Mac becomes an advantage as it allows you to sync your bookmarks and work history.
Security – Remember that each time you log on to the internet, the most significant security risk you will face is the web browser you choose. After all, the browser is your access to the internet.
If you’re using a web browser that is already very popular, especially for web extensions like Chrome, you must be very cautious when enabling these extensions. Read about any permissions you’re asked to grant and if you have any suspicions, just uninstall or disable the extension.
Privacy – Ideally, secured browsers shouldn’t possess weak spots that hackers can exploit. The browser should also update its defense features regularly. Secured browsers shouldn’t allow your personal data to get shared, sold or tracked. At the very least, you should have the choice to refuse any data collection attempts and other methods that will violate your privacy.
What can you do to improve your iPhone’s security?
Most people feel content using the most popular web browsers without knowing that their privacy might be at risk. Remember that your browser stores a lot of personal data like your login credentials, auto-fill details, website history, and more.
Even when you use the “incognito” or “private” mode, your browser can still reveal your device and location to trackers, advertisers or third-party sites. This is the reason why you have to choose a trustworthy web browser. As a Mac user, here are some of the most private and secure browsers to choose from:
- Firefox
One amazing feature of Firefox is its strong features for privacy protection. It even supports various extensions for further personalization. Firefox releases automatic updates regularly so you don’t have to worry about possible security issues. The newest version of Firefox is both lightweight and fast with a lot of options for privacy customization.
- Iridium
This is a secured browser based on Chrome but with a design that offers more privacy. If you’re looking for a browser that supports Chrome extensions, this one is a great option. It also offers more privacy than what you get from Chrome.
However, even though Iridium supports Mac OS, Linux, and Windows, you can’t use it on your smartphone.
- Opera
Like Iridium, this browser is also built on the Chrome browser engine and as such, it shares several key features with Google Chrome.
However, it differs in its built-in features as it provides better privacy, security, and user experience with its own free VPN, ad blocker, unit converter, crypto wallet, and more. It also prioritizes performance and speed while making sure that you stay safe while browsing.
- Tor
Tor is short for The Onion Router is a highly private browser characterized by several layers of encryption used to keep your online activity protected. When you use Tor, the data you access flows through several volunteer “nodes” And because of this, it becomes practically impossible to trace data back to your device.
As such, Tor is an ideal browser if you frequently deal with confidential or sensitive data. However, although Tor users can access the internet with complete anonymity, it’s not as fast as other browsers.
- Vivaldi
This is an amazing web browser for Mac because it’s fast, customizable, and loaded with amazing features. It offers a range of privacy and security features to protect your data from others.
When you browse in a Private Window, temporary files and cookies aren’t stored by the browser and its own privacy policy is extremely transparent. However, you need to set your privacy settings before you can use these features on the browser.
Conclusion
It’s not always discernible to understand if a browser is really secure or not. Luckily, these browsers offer good levels of privacy and security. If you want to improve your online security further, it is highly recommended that you combine a secure browser with a quality VPN. With this, you can conceal your location and encrypt your whole internet connection.
