If you’re concerned about your online privacy, it’s important to take steps to protect your personal information and browsing activity from being tracked and collected by third parties. In this guide, we’ll show you how to increase the privacy of your web browser by using various privacy tools and settings.
1. Use a private browsing mode
Most modern web browsers offer a private browsing mode, also known as “incognito mode,” that prevents your browsing history and search history from being saved. To use private browsing mode:
In Google Chrome:
- Click on the three dots in the top-right corner of the browser.
- Select “New Incognito Window.”
- A new window will open with a dark theme and the message “You’ve gone incognito.”
In Mozilla Firefox:
- Click on the three lines in the top-right corner of the browser.
- Select “New Private Window.”
- A new window will open with a purple mask icon in the address bar and the message “Private Browsing Enabled.”
In Microsoft Edge:
- Click on the three dots in the top-right corner of the browser.
- Select “New InPrivate Window.”
- A new window will open with a blue mask icon in the address bar and the message “You are now in an InPrivate browsing window.”
While private browsing mode can prevent your browsing history and search history from being saved, it doesn’t provide complete anonymity. Your internet service provider (ISP) and websites you visit can still see your IP address and other identifying information.
2. Use a virtual private network (VPN)
A virtual private network (VPN) encrypts your internet connection and routes your traffic through a secure server, hiding your IP address and location from third parties. This can help protect your privacy when using public Wi-Fi or accessing websites that may be blocked or monitored in your region. To use a VPN:
- Subscribe to a reputable VPN service.
- Download and install the VPN client on your device.
- Connect to a VPN server in a location of your choice.
- Your internet connection is now encrypted and routed through the VPN server.
3. Use a browser extension to block tracking
Browser extensions can block third-party cookies and tracking scripts from collecting your personal data and browsing activity. Some popular options include:
- Privacy Badger: Developed by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), this extension blocks tracking cookies and scripts from third-party domains that don’t respect your privacy preferences.
- Ghostery: This extension blocks tracking technologies from companies that collect your data for targeted advertising and analytics.
- uBlock Origin: This extension blocks ads, trackers, and malicious websites to improve your browsing experience and protect your privacy.
To use a browser extension to block tracking:
- Visit the extension’s page on the Chrome Web Store or Firefox Add-ons website.
- Click “Add to Chrome” or “Add to Firefox.”
- The extension will be installed in your browser and can be managed from the extensions menu.
4. Use a browser extension to block ads
In addition to tracking your data, ads can also slow down your browsing experience and expose you to security risks. To block ads and improve your browsing experience, you can use a browser extension such as Adblock Plus or uBlock Origin (mentioned above).
To use a browser extension to block ads:
- Visit the extension’s page on the Chrome Web Store or Firefox Add-ons website.
- Click “Add to Chrome” or “Add to Firefox.”
- The extension will be installed in your browser and can be managed from the extensions menu.
5. Adjust your browser’s privacy settings
Your web browser also has various privacy settings that you can adjust to increase your privacy:
In Google Chrome:
- Click on the three dots in the top-right corner of the browser.
- Select “Settings.”
- In the “Privacy and security” section, you can adjust settings such as “Cookies and other site data” and “Send a ‘Do Not Track’ request with your browsing traffic.”
In Mozilla Firefox:
- Click on the three lines in the top-right corner of the browser.
- Select “Options.”
- In the “Privacy & Security” section, you can adjust settings such as “Cookies and Site Data” and “Tracking Protection.”
In Microsoft Edge:
- Click on the three dots in the top-right corner of the browser.
- Select “Settings.”
- In the “Privacy, search, and services” section, you can adjust settings such as “Cookies and site data” and “Send Do Not Track requests.”
6. Use a secure search engine
In addition to using a private browsing mode and blocking tracking and ads, you can also protect your privacy by using a secure search engine. Some options to consider include:
- DuckDuckGo: This search engine doesn’t track your search history or personal data, and it also blocks tracking cookies and scripts.
- StartPage: This search engine provides anonymous search results from Google, without tracking your search history or IP address.
- Qwant: This search engine doesn’t track your search history or personal data, and it also offers a privacy-friendly alternative to Google Maps.
To use a secure search engine:
- Visit the search engine’s website.
- Type in your search query and press “Enter.”
- The search results will be displayed, without tracking your search history or personal data.
By following these steps and using the privacy tools and settings mentioned above, you can increase the privacy of your web browser and protect your personal data and browsing activity from being tracked and collected by third parties.