safari browser secure

VPNoverview.com Internet Safety Secure Browsing Safari vs. Chrome in 2024: Which is the Safest Web Browser for Mac?

Safari vs. Chrome in 2024: Which is the Safest Web Browser for Mac?

Safari vs. Chrome are two of the most popular browsers in use today. The question is: which one values your privacy more ? To understand where each browser stands, our review team at VPNOverview tested both, specifically focusing on four key areas:

• Performance
• Ease of use
• Data privacy

The results were tighter than you may have thought. While there’s obviously a very subjective element to this, we put each browser through its paces and tried to be as objective as possible.

Whether you prefer Safari or Chrome for daily use, using a VPN can make your browsing experience safer and more private. We recommend  NordVPN as the best VPN, and it works just as well with both Safari and Chrome.

For a full understanding of the tests we performed and the features we looked at, check out our Safari vs. Chrome comparison below!

In the age of digital warfare, where your every click and scroll can be a battleground, choosing the right web browser is more crucial than ever. Safari and Chrome are two of the most commonly used browsers today.

As privacy concerns mount and data breaches become increasingly common, we pit these two titans of the browsing world against each other, examining their strengths and weaknesses to help you confidently navigate the treacherous online landscape.

Which is the best browser for Mac? Which is the safest web browser between the two? The results might just surprise you.

Safari vs. Chrome: Functionality and Feature Comparison

Safari vs. chrome: which browser is more secure.

It’s important to have a browser that keeps you secure online. An unsecured browser can expose you to keyloggers, malware, and other online threats.

With this in mind, the first stop in our Safari vs. Chrome comparison was to look at security. We considered points including:

• The frequency with which both Google and Apple fixed security flaws
• Whether each browser can help you to detect and avoid security risks
• How each browser managers your passwords and other credentials
• Any other added functionality, such as dark web monitoring

So, let’s look at how each browser can help to keep you secure.

1. Malicious website detection

Safari and Chrome both make use of Google’s Safe Browsing database . Think of this database as a dictionary of malicious web resources. Safari and Chrome reference the database to check whether you visit a safe website.

If you navigate to a website listed in the database, you’ll see a warning . While you can choose to continue, we recommend you follow the recommendations and steer clear. These websites can use social engineering tactics, like phishing, or install keyloggers and other malware onto your device.

Both Safari and Chrome also indicate when a website is HTTPS secured. Look for the little padlock icon in your browser’s URL bar. With all of the above in mind, Safari and Chrome are essentially tied to security at this point .

2. Password management

Dedicated password managers are a great solution because they can be used on multiple devices. But both Safari and Chrome have a built-in way to manage your passwords. On Safari, you can access Apple’s Keychain, while on Chrome, you can use Google Password Manager.

Like the best password managers , Safari’s Keychain integration remembers and stores your passwords so that you don’t have to remember them all.

When you visit a website or app, Keychain suggests and auto-fills your credentials. Google Password Manager effectively has the same functionality offered by Keychain, so we’re still at a tie between Safari and Chrome .

3. Security and vulnerability updates

While browsers are designed to be secure, hackers routinely exploit security vulnerabilities that make it through the QA process while releasing a new update.

Thankfully, security researchers are usually quick to identify these issues and flag them to Apple or Google. Both Apple and Google also offer generous bug bounty programs, rewarding users for identifying security flaws.

While both Apple and Google regularly patch security vulnerabilities and update their browsers, Chrome tends to do so more frequently. Chrome pushes out updates, on average, every couple of weeks.

Meanwhile, Safari’s updates tend to come bundled with macOS or iOS updates, making them more infrequent. So, it’s Google Chrome that takes the crown here .

This is subjective because pushing out fewer security updates doesn’t always indicate better security. In some cases, it also reflects the overall security stack of Safari.

4. Support for security-focused extensions

Web extensions can completely personalize your experience with a browser. The best extensions for privacy and security significantly boost your privacy. These include VPN extensions, ad-blockers, anti-tracker tools, and cookie auto-delete software.

Bear in mind that certain extensions are only available on certain browsers. Thanks to the less-stringent rules around third-party applications, Chrome tends to have a broader selection of extensions, which may expose you to certain privacy risks of browser extensions .

Safari is the winner here , as Apple supports Safari extensions to iOS on mobile. Remember, we’re talking about using Chrome on iOS or macOS, and Apple doesn’t support Chrome extensions for its products.

5. Private browsing modes

Private browsing modes in internet browsers offer increased security compared to “regular” browser windows. Both Safari and Chrome offer a private browsing function, but you should know about the data collection policies between normal and private mode .

Safari Private Browsing is Apple’s private mode, which will not save your search or browsing history . That said, it has its limitations. Websites can still see your IP address , and your ISP (internet service provider) can still see your search history .

Chrome offers Incognito Mode , which has the same benefits and drawbacks as Safari’s private mode. Chrome sees your IP address, even in Incognito Mode.

However, even if you’re using a VPN , Chrome will also let web services see your activity and your identity if signed into a web service like an email account. Chrome also remembers your location .

In effect, if you want true privacy, you need to be using one of the best VPN services — but remember our warning about Chrome. While this was a close competition, Safari wins here owing to Chrome’s increased scrutiny of your online actions, even in private mode.

What is the most secure browser?

In terms of security and privacy, Safari tends to offer the most secure experience. This is partly why macOS users typically suffer fewer malware infections than their Windows counterparts.

Safari picked up an additional win over Chrome, with better private browsing, but Apple also generally ensures a pretty watertight product all-around due to development restrictions.

However, Safari and Chrome are both very much everyday consumer products. If you want maximum security, check out our list of the best web browsers for privacy .

Safari vs. Chrome: Which Browser is Faster?

Speed is important when it comes to browsing. We compared Safari vs. Chrome in a speed and general performance test. This included looking at aspects like:

• How each browser responds under heavy use
• How each browser handles graphics-intensive websites

To test the performance between Safari and Chrome, we used three applications: JetStream 2, MotionMark, and Speedometer. We ran these applications on a MacBook Air with 8GB of RAM and a 1.8 GHz Dual Core Intel Core i5 CPU. Our results are below.

1. Javascript performance testing with JetStream

Javascript is a programming language that handles most script processing behind the scenes on most webpages. This includes content changes, user interactions, mouse pointer movements, and more.

JetStream runs a suite of tests to see how well a browser performs during periods of high Javascript activity. In the JetStream test, a larger score means better performance. Here’s how the two tests measured up:

Chrome’s score of 96.774 puts it just slightly ahead of Safari, scoring 93.217. This suggests that Chrome should perform better when running sites or apps with complex Javascript functions, though the gap is only marginal.

2. Graphics performance with MotionMark

The more complex a webpage, the slower it loads, as your browser has to render every element on the page. MotionMark is a tool that checks how well your browser handles intense tasks that use your browser and the device’s graphics capabilities.

Chrome scored 357.01 in the graphics performance tests. Meanwhile, Safari managed to surprise us, scoring 425.67. Regarding user experience and the responsiveness of complex applications, Safari should provide a smoother experience.

3. Responsiveness with Speedometer

Speedometer simply measures the responsiveness of web applications. The tool simulates user interactions, timing how long these actions take to complete. In these tests, which cycle 480 times, the tool creates a to-do list, adds multiple items, checks them off, and loops back to the beginning.

We started with Chrome, which scored 91.4 with Speedometer. But when we moved over to Safari, it was immediately obvious that the test was struggling. Safari scored just 66.7 by comparison, with Chrome coming out on top.

Memory Saver in Chrome

If you’re running a lot of tabs, you may have noticed a performance dip. The browser consumes more RAM, eating more memory and slowing down your computer. In Google Chrome, a feature called Memory Saver can help you avoid this sluggish performance, even though Chrome is notorious for hogging RAM.

If you leave a tab open but don’t interact with it for a while, Chrome puts it in a rest state. This frees up CPU memory to perform other tasks. But you can still return to that tab later and continue where you left off.

What is the fastest browser?

The results of our Safari vs. Chrome performance and speed tests speak for themselves. Chrome performed better than Safari when it came to performing complex, fast-paced actions and general responsiveness. Moreover, with features like Memory Saver, Chrome can help keep you working faster.

While Safari outshones Chrome with graphics performance, Chrome is the overall winner . This is why power users who use multiple different Google apps will often choose it over Safari.

Safari vs. Chrome: Which Delivers the Better User Experience?

Ease of use is difficult to analyze and compare, as it’s often quite subjective. Die-hard Apple fans will probably get on well with Safari, as it’s more familiar. The same applies to Chrome and Google fans.

To gauge user experience, we looked at the following points:

• Multiple tab and window management
• Cross-platform support from desktop to mobile
• User settings and customizations

1. Working in multiple tabs

Opening multiple tabs is common when you need to do research or work. The problem is it can be easy to get lost when you’re using multiple windows. So, we looked at how tab management works in Safari and Chrome .

Tab management in Chrome using Tab Groups

When opening multiple tabs in Chrome, we found that things can get a bit messy . The more tabs you have open, the harder it becomes to find your place. Everything gets sort of squished together until you can only see the site’s logo.

However, you can add tabs to groups for better organization , which lets you cluster related tabs together. You can easily switch between groups to focus on one particular task simultaneously. This works differently depending on whether you’re using a computer or a mobile device.

On Chrome for desktop, set up tab groups by following the below steps:

• Hold “ Ctrl ” and right-click on a tab.
• Hover over “ Add tab to group ” and click “ New group .”
• Name the group and choose a color.
• Click “ Enter ” to save the group.
• Click on the group to collapse or expand all tabs.

If you want to group tabs on Chrome mobile , tap on the “Tabs” button in the upper-right corner of your screen. Long-press one tab and drag it on top of another to group them.

Tab management in Safari

Safari isn’t getting left behind by Chrome here. You can also group tabs on Safari for desktop — but only if you’re up to date with your operating system software.

This feature was introduced by macOS Monterey and released at the end of 2021. Upgrading to this version isn’t always possible for people with older devices or low memory .

• Open Safari on a computer.
• Click on “ File ” while you have Safari open.
• Click “ New Tab Group with X Tabs ,” where X represents the number you currently have open.

You can follow the same logic on iPhones. On mobile, the latest version of iOS sees Safari stack all tabs like a deck of cards. Unless you set up Tab Groups, you’ll have to scroll through them all to find what you’re looking for.

• Open Safari on the app.
• Long-press a tab until a menu appears.
• Select “ New Tab Group .”

• Now, you can click the Tab Group name at the bottom to swap between groups .

Navigating between tabs

Both Safari and Chrome offer additional options for keeping on top of your tabs. In Safari, you can search through tabs by clicking “ View ” and then Tab Overview for a grid view with a search bar. In Chrome, type “@tabs” into your URL bar, click the “Search tabs” button and run your search.

All in all, both browsers offer useful ways to manage your various browser windows. So, we really had to look closely to pick a winner or draw a tie. In the end, Chrome takes the lead here .

Apple’s tab grouping functionality relies on you having the latest iOS software, plus you can’t set them up as quickly by simply Ctrl-clicking on a tab.

2. Working across multiple devices

Integration between devices is continuously improving, making it extremely easy to switch from your desktop to mobile and carry your work along. This is more evident when using other products in the Apple or Google ecosystems. With multiple Apple devices, you can quickly pick up and continue work on one device from another.

If you’re an iPhone user, then you’ll be right at home with Safari , as it integrates with the Apple ecosystem. If you’ve got an iPhone or iPad, you can easily pass your desktop Safari tabs to your mobile device and continue browsing.

Apple Pay can also be used cross-platform, and you can verify purchases made on a desktop with your mobile phone’s biometrics.

When you have multiple tabs open, passing tabs between devices is simple. Enable Handoff on your Mac and mobile device first to make sure this works:

• Open “ Settings ,” then “ General ” on your mobile device.
• Click “ Handoff ” and ensure it’s switched on.
• Now, go to “ System Preferences ” and then “ General ” on your Mac.
• Again, find the checkbox to “ Enable Handoff .”

• You’ll see an option to pull the tabs from your Mac.
• If you want to move tabs in the other direction, look for the mobile icon on the Safari app in your dock.

That said, there are benefits to Chrome that are lacking in Safari. While iPhones are hugely popular, more people own Google Home devices — and streaming devices like the Google Chromecast — than those who own Apple’s smart home device. Apple’s foray into the smart home market never really took off in the same way.

This is where Google Chrome shines. If you have a Chromecast or Google Nest, you can cast videos or entire webpages to your big screen by simply right-clicking anywhere within the window.

And it’s for all of these reasons that we have to declare a tie for this section . The best browser for Mac in this particular situation comes down to your existing devices or the ecosystem you use.

If you have an iPhone or iPad, you’ll find the experience on Safari far more seamless. If you use an Android smartphone or want to make the most of your Chromecast, Google Chrome is excellent.

3. Support for multiple languages

Sometimes, you might want or need to visit a website not intended for your country. Aside from potentially needing a VPN, there may well be a language barrier in these cases.

This is common among people who like to stream online with a VPN but can’t work out what anything on the website says. Remember, do check if streaming is legal or not before you access different sites.

We’re just going to say it outright: Google Chrome is generally superior in supporting multiple languages, thanks to the power of Google Translate. Both Safari and Chrome can translate webpages from one language to another. But Google is miles ahead in the translation space.

To put this to the test, we got a Chinese IP address with Intego Privacy Protection, one of the best VPNs for Mac . We then loaded up several popular Chinese shopping websites we had no hope of understanding. While Google Chrome offered to translate the page, Safari did not.

4. Pop-up advert blockers

Pop-ups are not just annoying, but sometimes they can be malicious, too. Safari has native pop-up blocking built into the software. You can enable it by opening Settings or Preferences and then blocking some or all pop-up adverts.

Chrome is configured to block pop-up adverts by default. It’ll indicate when this happens with a small icon in the address bar. If, for any reason, you want to enable pop-up adverts, you can simply go into Settings , Permissions , then Pop-ups and redirects .

This is a fairly simple and standard feature, but it’s good to see that each developer has included it natively. So, it’s a tie in this section .

What is the most user-friendly browser?

For general ease of use, Chrome won over Safari in more sections . But as we mentioned, usability is subjective and largely influenced by the other devices you already own.

People who use Apple’s products may find Safari easier to get on with. Not to mention, you could miss out on features by using Chrome, including Handoff and Apple Pay integration.

Safari vs. Chrome: Which Offers Better Data Privacy?

There’s big money in data, so companies will often collect as much user information as they can get away with. But giving away your data can come with privacy risks, which is why we’re huge advocates of using a VPN to encrypt your data .

With this in mind, we wanted to understand the following:

• How much data Safari and Chrome gather
• How they protect your data

1. Personal information collected by Chrome and Safari

Under the guise of “improving your future browsing experience,” Safari has been known to gather certain information about you and your habits. This includes:

• Browsing history
• Browser cache
• Download history
• Login credentials via cookies

Safari also offers a feature known as Privacy Preserving Ad Measurement. When enabled, this feature essentially supports advertising. Marketing agencies will be sent data relating to adverts you’ve interacted with, but all identifiable information is stripped out.

Chrome also has Do Not Track for tracking protection. But while Apple gathers limited data, we found Google tends to gather more specific data . Google is well-known for gathering a lot of data through its various services, and Chrome is one of its most prolific apps. Some of the data gathered by Chrome includes:

• Your IP and location
• Search and browsing history
• User identifiers
• Product interaction data

What’s more, unlike Safari, Firefox, and Edge, Chrome is said to tie this data to individuals and devices . As a result, we have to declare Safari the winner on this front .

2. Protection of your personal data

While Safari can see your IP address, even in Private Browsing mode, it isn’t shared. Safari has built-in Intelligent Tracking Prevention that uses machine learning to prevent trackers.

It also has a feature that prevents cross-site tracking and limits ad trackers from working. In their privacy policy, Apple says that they may share your personal data with Apple-affiliated companies, partners, developers, and publishers.

According to their privacy policy, Apple has never allowed government agency access to personal data and never will.

While Google follows data privacy legislation, your data does tend to be used more freely for advertising purposes. According to Google’s Safety Center, your data might be anonymized and used to drive targeted ads. This is partly why you’ll often see many online adverts for products you’ve recently discussed or looked at.

As a result, Safari wins here , though it’s partly a question of user experience and the annoyance that can come with ad bombardment.

What is the most private browser?

Both Google and Apple typically fight to retain user privacy. There have been numerous high-profile instances of these companies resisting requests for data from government and law enforcement agencies.

However, owing to Google’s reputation for data gathering and its use in targeted advertising, Safari wins overall on data privacy .

Safari vs. Chrome: Final Thoughts

We looked at four main comparison areas in our Safari vs. Chrome review. In conclusion, each browser won on two sections, making for an overall tie.

This is reflective of our experience with Safari and Chrome. Both are good web browsers that offer a great user experience and strong privacy and security features.

That said, the caveat is that this is a highly subjective area . It also heavily depends on what devices you’re already using .

If you’ve got a Google Pixel, the full suite of Google smart home products, and a Chromecast, you might find Safari tough to get used to.

Similarly, if you’re a die-hard Apple fan with numerous Apple devices like a Mac, iPhone, and iPad, you’ll miss out on a load of cool features if you use Chrome as your main browser.

So, to summarize, we’ll leave you with this quick reference table that should help you make a choice. The table contains our browser recommendations depending on your situation.

Key Takeaways

• Chrome generally performed better in our tests
• Chrome offers superior multi-language support and device casting
• Cross-platform use feels more seamless with Safari
• Apple fans who use Chrome miss out on cool cross-platform features
• Overall, Chrome beat Safari in more categories, making it the  best browser for Mac  in most scenarios

If you have questions about whether to choose Safari vs. Chrome, check out some of our previous answers below!

In our Safari vs. Chrome testing, Safari excelled in certain areas compared to Chrome. For example, Safari was better for general data privacy and processing activities with a high demand on graphics.

However, Chrome excelled in other areas, including user experience and overall performance.

You can use either browser on iPhone, but we recommend using Safari . One of the main reasons people choose Chrome is for its extensive extensions support.

However, Apple doesn’t allow you to install Chrome extensions on iOS . So, for an iPhone or iPad, Safari works best. There are other privacy-focused browsers you can pick too!

Safari and Chrome deliver a similar experience, with many shared features that lead to there being little different. Most of the differences come in the form of integrations with other Apple or Google products.

For example, if you use Safari, you can “Handoff” Safari tabs, passing them from one device to another. If you use Chrome, you can cast almost anything to a Chromecast.

Chris Bluvshtein Author

Senior journalist.

Chris is a tech journalist with many years’ experience covering online privacy and cybersecurity. He’s also a published author and works as a Product Manager for some of the most innovative software development companies.

Share this article

More articles from the secure browsing section.

How to Avoid Online Scams in 2024

The Best Internet Security Suites in 2024: Our Top 10 Picks

Digital Legacy: What Happens to My Data After I Die?

Nothing against Safari other then its solely tied to Apple devices only. I am a multi-platform user so Chrome makes more sense seeing it can run on many different non Apple operating systems. WebKit is also going the way of Gecko with its own browser engine vs Chromium which is now the most used browser engine. If Apple didn't force IOS browsers to use WebKit and allow Chromium engine WebKit would be way less popular.

Hi John! Thank you for sharing. It's completely understandable that cross-platform users like yourself would choose Chrome over Safari. As you say, Safari is definitely great for Apple fans, but harder to use elsewhere.

Looking for a VPN?

Take a look at our overview of the most trustworthy, fast, and safe VPN services. Extensively tested by our experts.

• Browser Reviews

Cloudwards.net may earn a small commission from some purchases made through our site. However, any earnings do not affect how we review services. Learn more about our editorial integrity and research process .

• Usually pretty fast
• Intuitive user interface
• Default for Mac & iOS

Safari Review

Safari is Apple's native browser for Mac and iOS. The browser marketplace has become pretty competitive, and there are a host of other browser options you could use instead of Safari. But the question is, should you? Read our Safari review to find out.

All Mac and iPhone users will be familiar with Safari — it’s Apple’s native web browser and has been around since 2003. Apple has taken Safari through 15 major updates, but that’s not to say it’s the best browser out there. After all, the browser market is a competitive one. Should Safari be the go-to for Apple users? Well, read our Safari review to decide.

There’s a lot we like about Safari — both on Mac and iPhone. It’s straightforward to use, integrates well with Apple’s applications and looks sleek and crisp. However, Safari is far from perfect, with the lack of browser extensions being a particular weakness. 

Key Takeaways:

• Safari is the native browser for Mac and iOS devices. It’s got a clean design and is straightforward to use. 
• Safari ranks pretty high for privacy and security, but it lacks the customizable features and add-ons that you get with other browsers.
• The big win for Safari is its integration capabilities. It syncs effortlessly across your Apple devices and you can use Apple Pay in-browser. 

Ultimately, our take on Safari is that it depends on what you need. If you’re a lover of Apple devices who wants to browse the web for fun and research purposes, then Safari is probably enough. However, if you’re looking for a personalized, customized and enhanced web browsing experience, you may want to consider other providers.

Cloudwards completed a fresh review of Safari. Since our last review, Safari has updated its design, but its features remain unchanged.  Testing: MacBook running OS Monterey and an iPhone running iOS 14.8.1. 

Safari Review: Alternatives

Safari Review: Strengths & Weaknesses

• Usually pretty fast 
• Intuitive user interface 
• Default for Mac & iOS
• Limited extensions library 
• Only available on Apple 
• Customization not obvious 

Safari encourages continuity. One of its standout features is the fact that, if you’re an iPhone, iPad and Mac user, you can work seamlessly across your Apple devices. This is because Safari takes advantage of iCloud syncing features. Essentially, rather than storing data locally on your device, Safari stores your data in the cloud. 

If you’re signed in with your Apple ID across your Apple devices, you can switch from device to device without your browser session being interrupted (to an extent). For example, you can favorite a web recipe on your phone and then access it on your Mac. 

We also like that you can sync passwords across your devices — although, this isn’t actually down to Safari, but Apple’s iCloud Keychain software. 

While this interoperability is a definite benefit, it has its limitations. Sure, favorite websites and bookmarks transfer, but you can’t sync your settings or open tabs across devices. 

Features on Mac

Safari covers the essentials well for Mac devices. It has a sleek, minimalist design and is intuitive to use on a desktop. While there are customization features, they’re kind of muted and hard to find.

In the right-hand corner of the browser start page, you’ll find a settings icon that enables you to lightly edit the appearance of your start page — whether you view your favorites, privacy report and so on. You can also upload your own background image from the start page. 

These few features are pretty basic — and so is the functionality of the desktop browser. While it’s good for basic browsing, if you want to harness the power of a library of extensions, Safari falls short. 

That’s not to say that Apple doesn’t offer extensions for Safari. It does, but the library certainly isn’t as vast as open-source competitors like Firefox ( read our full review of Firefox here). 

There are big names in the Apple extension store that are perfect for consumer browsing — we were able to install well-known favorites like Honey, 1Password and Grammarly. However, a lot of Safari’s extensions are, well, built for Safari. Apple’s app store has a bias to it, whereby a lot of the extensions are available only for Safari. 

If you’re an Apple devotee, there’s nothing to worry about — especially if you’re a family of Apple users. We like that the company has robust parental control settings that are easy to customize.

Parents can easily configure a secure browsing experience for their children without having to download any extensions. We have a comprehensive guide on how you can set parental controls on iPhones and iPads.

On Mac, for example, you can do this by clicking “system preferences” and then the screen time icon. Once on this page, you can select controls relating to app restrictions, content restrictions and downtime. 

Features on iOS

Safari is also solid on iOS, although it lacks the wow factor of competitor home screens like Google Chrome. While the Chrome mobile app, for example, automatically shows you the latest trending news on the home screen, Safari opens up as a gray, static canvas of your favorite websites and frequently visited pages. 

We don’t want to imply that this is a bad thing, though. It all depends on what you’re after from your mobile browsing experience. Moreover, iOS shines in its syncing and communication capabilities. If you see a website or article you like, you can easily share it with your phone contacts in just a couple of clicks across applications like WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook.

You can also easily bookmark iCloud tabs, add them to favorites and save them to your home screen with a single tap for later use. 

Ease of Use

Safari’s interface is a bit like Marmite — you either love it or you hate it. Mac devotees will likely find Safari intuitive to use, but that’s partially due to previous experience with Safari. Because it comes preloaded on Apple products, there’s no learning curve.

For Chrome users, the Safari start page could be a little jarring. Gone are the bells and whistles of a center-space search bar and the latest news stories. Instead, you’re greeted with a minimalist gray interface featuring your reading list, favorite pages and a block of your most visited sites. 

Ease of Use on Mac

Safari’s user interface is pretty easy to get your head around. The address bar is at the top of the screen, and your tabs appear underneath it in chronological order. Above the address bar, you can find all the usual suspects that you’d expect from a browser, like your history, bookmarks and edit options. 

One nice feature is the “tab overview” function in the top right-hand corner, which zooms you out of your tabs so you can see all your sites at a high level. If you’re someone who uses lots of research tabs for school or work, this is really handy. 

Another slightly hidden feature of Safari for Mac is the tab group feature. In the top left-hand corner of the Safari screen, you’ll see a page icon. Click this and a panel will appear on the left-hand side of your page. From this panel, you can create tab groups, where you can save a group of web pages to be opened at a later date. 

Ease of Use on iOS 

It’s a similar story on iOS. The layout of Safari for mobile devices is intuitive and simple, with a search engine function embedded at the top of the homepage. The one downside of Safari on iOS is that tab management is a little clunky. 

Every time you open a new tab, it gets added to a card deck tab list, which can easily become overwhelmingly long if you’re not careful about closing tabs that you no longer use. 

While apps like Chrome will let you know how many tabs you have open, it’s a bit of a guessing game with Safari and it’s easy to lose track if you click links with websites that open new tabs. 

Safari offers a private browsing option that’s super easy to find — we would say easier to find than in its mobile app competitors. By tapping the “open new tab” option, you’ll automatically see a “private” browsing option in the bottom left-hand corner of your mobile screen. 

Safari’s Integration With Apple Devices

So far, Safari seems to be doing OK in the browser game, but Apple really makes up for things when it comes to its native browser’s integration capabilities. Apple Pay, for example, is one of the best features of using Apple. With macOS expMonterey on a relatively new MacBook Pro, we can use Safari to pay for transactions with a quick and effortless touch ID feature. 

It’s a similar picture on iPhone, where Safari and face ID combine for an effortless checkout experience. Of course, this functionality depends on the e-commerce website you visit. Not all merchants offer Apple Pay, but it is a nice touch when they do. 

Saying this, we’re also aware that most browsers give you the option to save your credit card details, but there is something glitzy about the touch ID and face ID capabilities of Safari and Apple Pay that appeals — even if it is slightly gimmicky. 

We also like that Safari enables you to effortlessly email or call a website you’ve visited by clicking these details. On iOS, you’ll be able to immediately call the number; on Mac, the email address will open up in Apple Mail. 

Performance

Safari’s performance is, for the most part, superb on both Mac and iOS. We tested Safari’s speed, compared to Chrome on Mac, to see how it performed. 

We used BrowserBench’s trio of tests — Speedometer 2.0, JetStream 2 and MotionMark — each of which analyzes a different aspect of the browser. Read our review of the fastest browsers here. 

We performed the tests on a MacBook Pro with 16GB of RAM and an Intel Core i5 CPU running at  2 GHz. It’s worth noting that the strength of your internet connection can impact the browser speed, so keep that in mind when reviewing the results, which were as follows.

Benchmark Test Results

With Speedometer, Chrome came up tops. Its reading was 122.05, compared to Safari’s 113.8. This means Chrome is the faster option, but Safari is still pretty speedy. The difference is negligible and we haven’t noticed it with either browser. 

On JetStream, Chrome came in at 118.675, with Safari taking a slight lead with a reading of 125.705. This indicates that Safari is solid for handling more complex JavaScript workloads.

However, with MotionMark, which tests the graphics capabilities of the browser, Safari’s result was 356.31, while Chrome’s was 403.6. MotionMark is all about testing the user experience — how a browser responds and performs in terms of graphics and responsiveness. 

Safari’s Improved Performance on Apple Devices

While Chrome takes the lead here, we have to say that we haven’t noticed a clear difference in the user experience while using Chrome compared to Safari. Although, if you’re into gaming on your browser, you may find Chrome preferable. 

So, while Chrome may be faster, Safari’s performance is still excellent. From an efficiency perspective, Safari is also better than other browsers that are based on Chromium (take a look at our Chromium review ). This is because of Safari’s lightweight design, which means it needs less RAM than other providers. 

This difference is exemplified the most by tab usage. If you’re familiar with the MacBook Pro “fan whir,” then be wary of opening too many Chrome tabs at once. 

While we can open an unlimited number of Safari tabs without experiencing the whir, if we open too many Chrome tabs, it will trigger the Mac’s fan. If you want more on the battle of Chrome vs Safari, read our full review . 

Safari isn’t bad in terms of security, but it’s not amazing either. While the browser uses Google’s Safe Browsing database to prevent phishing and malware, its pop-up ad blocker seems to fall short. 

We’ve visited many news websites and found that ads have interrupted our browsing experience. We’d recommend downloading an additional pop-up ad blocker extension to impede this. 

Another thing to bear in mind is that Safari’s updates are few and far between. While competitor search engines like Google Chrome mandate security updates roughly every two to three weeks, Safari security updates are less frequent at anywhere between four and six weeks. 

These security updates tend to contain critical patches that correct vulnerabilities in the browsing software. Left too long without a patch, cybercriminals could take advantage of these security weaknesses, which is why we recommend using the best VPN for Safari .  

Finally, as noted earlier, Safari’s integration with Apple devices makes password management super simple. You don’t need to install an extra password manager; Safari automatically stores your passwords in the iCloud Keychain. 

As an added bonus, Safari also features dark web monitoring. This alerts you if your password or email address has appeared in a data breach, and asks you to change the password. 

Hidden in Safari’s “preferences” section are a range of basic privacy features that are automatically enabled, such as tick-box options to prevent cross-site tracking, hide your IP address and block all cookies. 

Safari doesn’t boast these features. You have to look to find them. but it’s encouraging to know that they are enabled by default, as opposed to users having to opt in for better privacy. 

On your start page, you’ll even see a feature called “privacy report,” which highlights how Apple’s Intelligent Tracking Prevention functionality has identified and blocked website trackers from tracking you. 

Safari Browser Review: The Verdict

Ultimately, Safari is a robust browser choice for both iOS and Mac users. If you’re a big Apple fan, then using Safari makes sense for basic browsing — especially given its seamless integration with other Apple functions like iCloud and Apple Pay. 

However, if you’re looking for high degrees of customization and personalization, then Safari’s minimalist interface and handful of extensions will feel limiting. 

We’d love to know what you think of Safari. How do you think it compares to other browsers? Is Safari your go-to browser, and if so why? Let us know in the comments! Thank you for reading.

Safari feels intuitive to use and covers the basics well. However, it lacks the features and vast extension libraries of its competitors.

Safari is pretty secure because it uses Google’s Safe Browsing database to protect you from phishing and malware. It also automatically blocks suspicious websites and pop-ups by default.

This depends on your needs. If you’re looking to add a range of extensions to your browsing experience, or are particularly security conscious, you’ll be better off with Google Chrome. However, if you are an avid Apple fan and want a fast, seamless user experience across all your Apple devices, Safari won’t disappoint.

Safari isn’t outdated in our view. It offers a range of elements that make it perfect for day-to-day browsing needs.

I love Safari! However,I have a problem going into Safari when I updated something on my iPhone

Safari 16.0 does not update websites that has been just updated by myself. It shows web page that was downloaded initially.

After the update, Safari doesn’t load on my homepage. I work back & forth and need it located in my dock & minimize on my homepage.

I like Safari it suits me

I have given up running Safari on my Airbook with the M.2 chip. With nearly every update to the Sedona operating system, Safari stops working (locks up repeatedly) for several weeks. I have switched to FireFox for less problematic browsing.

Safari is displaying the menu items on my website vertically, when the menus are designed to display horizontal. Does anyone know a fix for this?

• The Best iPhone VPN in 2022: Protect Your iOS Mobile Device
• Safari vs Chrome in 2024: Performance, Speed and Features Compared

Because the Cloudwards.net team is committed to delivering accurate content, we implemented an additional fact-checking step to our editorial process. Each article that we fact check is analyzed for inaccuracies so that the published content is as accurate as possible.

You can tell that an article is fact checked with the Facts checked by symbol, and you can also see which Cloudwards.net team member personally verified the facts within the article. However, providers frequently change aspects of their services, so if you see an inaccuracy in a fact-checked article, please email us at feedback[at]cloudwards[dot]net. We strive to eventually have every article on the site fact checked. Thank you.

Tell websites to stop tracking you

Change your search engine to duckduckgo.

• Hide your IP address 

Stop using location services

Disable autofill, clear your browsing history, block your cookies, 7 settings you should change in safari to enhance your privacy.

• If you use Safari on your Mac, iPhone, or iPad, you can enable settings to enhance your privacy while web browsing.
• You can easily disable cookies, change your search engine to DuckDuckGo, hide your IP address, and more.
• Here are seven of the top ways to make your online activity more private.

While Apple has allowed alternative browsers on the iPhone and iPad for quite some time, odds are good that if you have one of those devices (or a Mac computer, of course) you frequently use Safari to browse the web. It's relatively safe and private, but you can do much better by tweaking a few settings. Here are seven Safari settings that'll enhance your privacy when you're online.

Almost every step you take online is tracked by websites to target you for ads and to customize your experience. But you can shut most of that down by telling Safari to stop tracking you. On your iPhone or iPad, start the Settings app and then tap Safari . In the Privacy & Security section, enable Prevent Cross-Site Tracking by swiping the button to the right. 

On a Mac, start Safari and then click Safari in the menu bar at the top of the screen. Click Preferences in the dropdown menu. In the Preferences window, click the Privacy tab and then click the checkbox for Prevent Cross-Site Tracking .

Google is most people's default, but that search engine fundamentally lacks privacy. If you don't want a large corporation to know your browsing history, switch to DuckDuckGo. On an iPhone or iPad, start the Settings app and then tap Safari . In the Search section, tap Search Engine and choose DuckDuckGo from the options.

If you're using a Mac, start Safari and then click Safari in the menu bar at the top of the screen. Click Preferences in the dropdown menu. In the Preferences window, click the Search tab. Finally, to the right of Search Engine , click the dropdown menu and switch from Google to DuckDuckGo .

Hide your IP address 

By default, websites can see your IP address, which can reveal personal details about you including your location. If you prefer, you can hide this from online trackers. On your iPhone or iPad, start the Settings app and then tap Safari . In the Privacy & Security section, tap Hide IP Address and choose From Trackers .

On a Mac, start Safari and then click Safari in the menu bar at the top of the screen. Click Preferences in the dropdown menu. In the Preferences window, click the Privacy tab and then click the checkbox for Hide IP address from trackers . 

A lot of your mobile device's secret sauce is based on location services — your iPhone and iPad need to know where you are to make smart suggestions and offer location-based features. But if you don't want Safari to know where you are, it's easy to turn off. On an iPhone or iPad, start the Settings app and then tap Safari . In the Settings for Websites section, tap Location and change the setting to Deny (or, if you want to be asked every time, choose Ask ). 

On a Mac, start Safari and then click Safari in the menu bar at the top of the screen. Click Preferences in the dropdown menu. In the Preferences window, click the Websites tab. Choose Location in the pane on the left. At the bottom of the window, configure When visiting other sites by clicking the dropdown menu and choosing Ask or Deny . 

Autofill is a great feature if you don't like to enter basic personal information into web forms over and over again, but for that to work, Safari has to record private data. Don't want that? On an iPhone or iPad, start the Settings app and then tap Safari . In the General section, tap Autofill and turn off Use Contact Info and Credit Cards by swiping the buttons to the left. 

On a Mac, start Safari and then click Safari in the menu bar at the top of the screen. Click Preferences in the dropdown menu. In the Preferences window, click the AutoFill tab. You can disable autofill data in four categories by clearing the checkboxes.

This one is the traditional, go-to way to enhance your privacy — you can clear your browsing history from time to time to erase records on your device about where you've been online, along with your saved website passwords. On an iPhone or iPad, start the Settings app and then tap Safari . Then scroll down and tap Clear History and Website Data . Conform you want to do that in the popup window.

On a Mac, start Safari and then click History in the menu bar at the top of the screen. Click Clear History in the dropdown menu, choose the timeframe you want from the dropdown menu, and click Clear History .

If you prevent cross-site tracking (see the earlier tip in this article), Safari prevents some third-party cookies. But you can disable all cookies if you want to amp up your privacy — just be aware that your online experience will be less convenient, and some sites won't work properly. To try it on an iPhone or iPad, start the Settings app and then tap Safari . In the Privacy & Security section, enable Block All Cookies by swiping the button to the right.  

On a Mac, start Safari and then click Safari in the menu bar at the top of the screen. Click Preferences in the dropdown menu. In the Preferences window, click the Privacy tab. Beside Cookies and website data , click the checkbox for Block all cookies .

• Main content

About the security content of Safari 17.5

This document describes the security content of Safari 17.5.

About Apple security updates

For our customers' protection, Apple doesn't disclose, discuss, or confirm security issues until an investigation has occurred and patches or releases are available. Recent releases are listed on the  Apple security releases page.

Apple security documents reference vulnerabilities by  CVE-ID  when possible.

For more information about security, see the  Apple Product Security  page.

Safari 17.5

Released May 13, 2024

Available for: macOS Monterey and macOS Ventura

Impact: An attacker with arbitrary read and write capability may be able to bypass Pointer Authentication

Description: The issue was addressed with improved checks.

WebKit Bugzilla: 272750 CVE-2024-27834: Manfred Paul (@_manfp) working with Trend Micro's Zero Day Initiative

Additional recognition

Safari Downloads

We would like to acknowledge Arsenii Kostromin (0x3c3e) for their assistance.

Information about products not manufactured by Apple, or independent websites not controlled or tested by Apple, is provided without recommendation or endorsement. Apple assumes no responsibility with regard to the selection, performance, or use of third-party websites or products. Apple makes no representations regarding third-party website accuracy or reliability. Contact the vendor for additional information.

Start a discussion in Apple Support Communities

Is your WordPress site slow? Get a free audit to uncover performance bottlenecks.

6 Most Secure Browsers to Stay Safe and Protect Your Privacy

Everyone has a favorite browser for everyday use. While almost all browsers offer similar features, it’s essential to consider that some browsers offer better security and privacy than others. Therefore, choosing the most secure browser for your daily use will protect you while navigating the web.

A secure browser will also help you keep your data safe and ensure that others can’t go snooping around your activity. Unfortunately, although many popular browsers offer similar security and privacy features, not all are easy to use.

In this article, we’ll help you figure out the most secure browser for your needs. We’ll cover six of the most popular browsers, ranging from Chrome to Tor.

Let’s get to it!

Check out our video guide to safe browsers:

What Makes a Browser Secure?

It’s important to understand that most browsers don’t offer the most secure or private experience out of the box. As the user, it’s up to you to decide how to configure the privacy and security options that your browser makes available to you.

By default, most browsers will keep track of what sites you visit, store cookies, and even ask you to save your passwords. Sites might also get access to a lot of identifying information, including your location, the ability to show popups, run scripts, and much more.

A secure browser offers you a wealth of options to protect your information and secure your anonymity. However, in many cases, a more private web browsing experience translates to lesser convenience, which we’ll discuss in the next section.

The Basics of Browser Security

Browser security is all about applying best practices when it comes to data privacy and overall safe browsing. In our experience, browsers that offer the following features ensure a secure experience while navigating the web:

• Warning you about sites and downloads they deem “unsafe”
• Giving you control over what permissions you want to grant websites
• Enabling you to disable cookies (if you want)
• Disabling popups by default for most websites
• Disabling redirects by default for most websites
• Enabling you to disable scripts globally or for specific sites
• Giving you control over your browsing history and cache
• Updating your browser often

Some browsers come with more aggressive privacy and security features out of the box. However, we always recommend that you configure the settings manually when you set up a new browser. This applies regardless of which software you’re using.

Overall, browsing the web now is a much safer experience. Many features protect you from “dangerous” websites that might try to exploit your data or force you to download unsafe files. With a bit of common sense, your data should be secure if you use a modern browser.

6 Most Secure Browsers

Let’s take a closer look at six of the most popular secure browsers you can use.

You should note that this list isn’t ranked based on security and privacy features. After going through them all, you can decide which one fits your needs best.

Chrome is the undisputed leader among browsers when it comes to market share. It also offers a lot of features to help protect your data and increase anonymity while browsing.

Using Chrome, you can:

• Request websites not to track your browsing
• Block popups and scripts
• Block cookies partially or globally
• Enable warnings if you’re visiting a “dangerous” site or downloading an unsafe file
• Get notifications if your stored passwords are exposed
• Control what permissions websites get access to
• Block specific websites

Chrome also gives you access to an incognito navigation mode that allows you to browse the web without saving history or cookies for each session. The browser also gets updated often, and part of its code is open source.

Although Chrome can be very secure depending on your settings, it’s not the best browser when it comes to privacy. You have to sign in to your Google account to use it, and the company tracks a lot of personal information about you, even if it doesn’t share that data with other websites.

Note: Google is currently in the middle of a lawsuit for allegedly tracking its users even when they’re using incognito mode.

If you’re using an Apple device, you probably rely on Safari for most of your browsing. Safari is second only to Chrome in terms of market share, and its slice of the pie continues to grow.

As far as security goes, Safari includes a lot of features that enable you to protect your data, including:

• Preventing dangerous sites from loading
• Intelligent Tracking Prevention (ITP) feature, which limits advertisers to track your browsing
• Blocking all cookies
• Blocking websites from leveraging browser caching by default
• Providing the option to block popups
• Controlling website permissions
• Offering access to a privacy report that tells you what trackers you encounter on the web

It’s also worth noting that Apple as a company is making significant strides in protecting user privacy. For example, in 2021, they launched an update that enables you to stop apps from tracking you , which is excellent news if you’re using one of their devices.

In 2020, Google researchers disclosed multiple security flaws in Safari . One of them alleged that the ITP feature leaked user data, but Apple claims they’ve fixed this issue. However, as Safari is not open source , it’s hard to know what’s happening with your data.

It’s important to note that even though Safari protects your privacy from third parties, the browser is closed source and shares your information with Apple. That’s a common problem with using a browser intimately tied to an ecosystem of apps and platforms (just as with Chrome).

Mozilla Firefox is one of the most popular browsers globally. However, during the past decade, it’s fallen in popularity compared to competitors Chrome and Safari. Back in 2010, Firefox held about 31% of the global browser market share . Eleven years later, it’s down to 11.4% .

Firefox’s dip in popularity has prompted the browser to re-invent itself. Still, Firefox has been one of the most secure internet browsers you can use, including features such as:

• Offering tracker protection across the web (with different levels of security)
• Providing reports on what websites are trying to track you (divided into categories)
• Giving you the ability to opt-in for data breach alerts
• Letting you opt-out of Firefox data collection
• Offering control over website permissions
• Blocking popups by default
• Blocking dangerous downloads
• Forcing all connections to load over HTTPS

It’s also worth noting that Firefox is an open source project, which means anyone (with the proper skill set) can analyze its codebase and make sure the browser isn’t collecting data it shouldn’t. Firefox also gets regular updates.

Firefox offers a fantastic combination of good security options and privacy practices. Plus, the company is big on privacy . As a result, it’s made Firefox one of the browser’s major selling points to help it compete against options such as Chrome, Safari, and Edge.

Microsoft Edge is the spiritual successor to Internet Explorer. But, unlike its predecessor, it’s not necessarily a browser you can discount without a second thought. In January 2020, Edge made the switch to Chromium , which means that it’s partly open source. Edge also gets many security updates, and it rivals Chrome in the speed of its release schedule.

Edge is slightly ahead of Firefox in terms of market share, but behind both Chrome and Safari. When it comes to features, Edge offers a similar set of security-related options, including:

• Multiple levels of tracking prevention options
• Reports on the trackers that it blocks across the web
• Option to configure what level of tracking prevention to use in the browser’s private mode
• Blocking websites from seeing if you have saved payment preferences
• Automatic protection from malicious websites and file downloads
• Letting you opt-out of tracking by Microsoft

Edge is also guilty of collecting data from its users regarding privacy, similar to Chrome and Safari. Some research points towards Edge being less privacy-inclined than other browsers because it shares hardware identifiers with third parties.

Although Edge brings a vast leap in user experience over Microsoft’s previous browser offering, it’s not the best option for user privacy. However, the browser is making significant strides in terms of features and gaining market share, which means it’s worth keeping an eye on.

Brave is a newcomer to the world of browsers. It launched in 2019, and it still barely registers market share against the more popular options. If you check out the statistics for browser market share, Brave is at the bottom of the barrel with 0.05% of usage :

Despite its small market share, Brave is the most exciting browser launched within the last few years. It offers many exciting features that other browsers don’t, including its closely linked advertising platform and cryptocurrency.

In terms of security, Brave is much more aggressive than other browsers. Here are some of the features it includes:

• Blocking third-party ads by default
• Blocking tracking by default
• A built-in password manager
• The ability to block cookies and scripts
• Private browsing that works similarly to the Tor browser (which we’ll talk about next)
• Forcing all connections through HTTPS

It’s important to note that Brave is based on Chromium. This means that despite the browser’s array of privacy settings, there are some concerns about the data being shared with Google’s servers.

Moreover, even though Brave disables ads by default, it still shows its advertisements, which means you are being tracked. You can disable Brave ads and rewards, but the entire program conflicts with Brave’s stated privacy standards.

You can’t talk about private browsers without talking about the Tor Project (or Tor for short). Under the hood, it’s a fork of Firefox browser specially designed for use with the Tor network.

All of that makes Tor by far the most secure web browser you can use. And it goes to great lengths to protect your privacy as well. But, unfortunately, that also means Tor isn’t the most user-friendly browser (and it’s not designed to be, either).

To give you an idea of how much Tor protects your privacy, let’s go over some of its key features:

• Making it highly difficult to trace you by bouncing requests between volunteer relay servers
• Disabling tracking by default
• Disabling scripts by default on all websites
• Not tracking your browsing history
• Enforcing HTTPS use across all websites
• Deleting all cookies after each session by default

Those features also mean that Tor isn’t the best option for day-to-day use. For example, some websites block Tor exit relays, which means that you won’t be able to log into your accounts. Moreover, since the browser blocks scripts by default, it won’t render many sites correctly.

Tor can also be pretty slow, even if you have a fast internet connection. That’s a side effect of routing your connection through multiple relays. That process offers increased obfuscation, but it slows navigation down.

Ultimately, if you want the most secure and private browser, then we recommend you use Tor. It’s no wonder that most whistleblower programs, like Freedom of the Press Foundation’s SecureDrop , recommend using Tor too.

What Is the Most Secure Web Browser?

In terms of absolute security, you can’t beat Tor. It offers the most private web browsing experience by far, and it goes to great lengths to protect your data. However, Tor wasn’t designed for everyday use, and the browser doesn’t offer a particularly user-friendly web experience.

Both Firefox and Brave provide a better balance between solid security features, privacy practices, and user-friendliness. Either browser is a fantastic option if you’re privacy-conscious. However, for increased security, we recommend that you look into privacy-enhancing extensions for both browsers.

Some common types of extensions you might use include:

• A password manager: Brave offers this out of the box, but using a third-party option can be more secure.
• Script blockers: Both Firefox and Brave offer script-blocking functionality. However, certain extensions enable you to block specific scripts within each page instead of on a site-by-site basis.
• An ad-blocker: Disabling ads makes for a much better web browsing experience. Brave disables ads by default, but it also tries to get you to opt into its ad network.

Firefox has an extensive library of add-ons, while Brave accepts Chrome extensions because it’s based on Chromium. As long as you keep your chosen extensions and your browser up to date and check your privacy settings, you should be safe while browsing the web. Plus, both browsers are available on all major operating systems.

Choosing the most secure browser is relatively simple. By and large, if you’re using a browser tied to an ecosystem such as Chrome, Edge, or Safari, you can be sure that your data won’t be 100% private. That’s not to say that all three aren’t fantastic browsers, but they don’t put user privacy first.

If you’re concerned with security and privacy, your best options are Tor, Firefox, and Brave. However, Tor isn’t particularly user-friendly for daily use. That leaves you with Brave or Firefox. Your choice will depend on whether you want to use a Chromium-based browser or an alternative. In either case, you can’t go wrong.

Do you have any questions about what browser you should use? Then, let’s talk about them in the comments section below!

Salman Ravoof is a self-taught web developer, writer, creator, and a huge admirer of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS). Besides tech, he's excited by science, philosophy, photography, arts, cats, and food. Learn more about him on his website , and connect with Salman on Twitter .

Related Articles and Topics

Powerful Managed WordPress Hosting

20 Alternative Search Engines to Use Now

• Application Development
• Digital Marketing
• Local Development

Quite an impressive blog! But you missed Logii browser which is one of the most secure and privacy protected browsers.

I like this browser because it helps me to stay away from fingerprint spoofing. I think this will be a great addition to your blog.

I have been using Midori lite browser and I found it has been consuming less data. If there is any other browser in the view please suggest me as it will be a great help to me. Thanks a lot.

Your perspective in the article was truly enlightening. I’m grateful for the wisdom you shared.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

By submitting this form: You agree to the processing of the submitted personal data in accordance with Kinsta's Privacy Policy , including the transfer of data to the United States.

You also agree to receive information from Kinsta related to our services, events, and promotions. You may unsubscribe at any time by following the instructions in the communications received.

• Accessories
• Entertainment
• PCs & Components
• Wi-Fi & Networks
• Newsletters
• Digital Magazine – Subscribe
• Digital Magazine – Info
• Smart Answers
• Best laptops
• Best antivirus
• Best monitors
• Laptop deals
• Desktop PC deals

When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn't affect our editorial independence .

How Secure Is Safari?

[ Seealso the security reviews of Firefox , Internet Explorer , Google Chrome , and Opera . For more on browser security and protection against Web-borne threats, see the Security Adviser blog and ” Test Center: Browser security tools versus the evil Web .” ]

The Safari installer also installs a service called Bonjour, which allows Apple programs to advertise themselves and discover other Bonjour-compatible programs on the local network. Bonjour is used to automatically configure printers, hunt for file sharing opportunities, and find instant messaging peers, and it allows Safari to discover additional Web pages on the local network. In general, most security experts are wary of auto-discovery programs like Bonjour, and Bonjour itself has been involved in at least three known exploits. Bonjour is not essential to Safari’s functionality and can be disabled.

Windows Safari

The Safari executable is not User Account Control (UAC)-aware on Windows Vista computers, but Vista automatically elevates permissions for the install because the word “setup” is in the name; this could pose a problem if Vista’s heuristics detection functionality is disabled. On Windows Vista, Safari runs as a single process (Safari.exe) with DEP (Data Execution Prevention) disabled, a security negative shared only by Opera; ASLR (Address Space Layout Randomization) enabled; and file system and registry virtualization enabled, all with a MIC (Mandatory Integrity Control) level of Medium. In comparison, the rendering processes of both Internet Explorer and Google Chrome run with the more secure MIC setting of Low. Apple’s Software Update checks for Safari patches once a week using a Task Scheduler job.

Safari is a full-featured browser, with common security features, including pop-up blocking, private session browsing, and an anti-phishing filter. The pop-up blocking is among the best, and the anti-phishing filter is the most accurate among the browsers I tested (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Google Chrome, and Opera). Java, JavaScript, and plug-ins can be turned off on a global basis. As with most other browsers apart from IE, Safari provides no security zones in which to place Web sites of varying degrees of trustworthiness, or to enable or disable functionality on a per-site basis.

Safari always automatically prompts for approval before downloading files, and in doing so, it prevents some high-risk files from being executed before downloading. Safari also has good default cookie control. It is the only browser among those I tested to prevent all third-party cookie writes by default, which is a nice privacy bonus.

On Mac OS X systems, Safari’s passwords are protected by Apple’s Keychain password management system. But even on Windows, Safari’s locally stored passwords are well protected. As in Internet Explorer, stored Web site passwords are never displayed. However, Safari takes last place in remote password handling, passing only 2 of 21 tests on the Password Manager Evaluator Web site.

Settings and ciphers

An optional menu called Develop (which replaces the previous Debug menu option) can be added to the menu bar to speed up Web page development testing, but it also has significant global security impacts. The Develop menu allows the user to quickly open a current Web page in another installed Web browser or to change User Agent strings on the fly (to see how the change affects Web page rendering). Installed plug-ins can be viewed — but not managed — via an option under Safari’s Help menu.

You can also disable local caching of downloaded content, thereby forcing all content to be re-downloaded when revisiting a Web page; disable images; disable CSS (which have been involved in more than a few exploits); and globally disable JavaScript. Disabling JavaScript prevents many malicious Web sites from functioning, but it’s no panacea. Even with JavaScript disabled, one of the most obnoxious malicious Web sites I tried still managed to kick-start more than 40 instances of Safari in a few seconds, resulting in a de facto DoS attack on the test machine.

Safari is weaker than its competitors in several areas regarding digital certificates and SSL/TLS (Secure Sockets Layer/Transport Layer Security) traffic. Initially, in SSL/TLS negotiations, TLS with RSA and weak 128-bit RC4 keys are offered first and second in the cipher order. Worse, ECC (Elliptical Curve Cryptography), AES (Advanced Encryption Standard), and 256-bit keys are never offered as potential cipher choices; further, MD5 is offered first and more frequently than SHA-1, when it should be the other way around. It would seem that Apple hasn’t been paying attention to crypto developments over the last few years.

Safari does warn of invalid digital certificates, but it isn’t nearly as “in your face” as the other top browsers. It warns only once with a small pop-up message, whereas competitors alter the entire Web page with red or multicolored warnings. Come to think of it, maybe Safari has it right: better to display one warning than many for a single problem. But then Safari, unlike all its competitors, fails to point out Extended Validation (EV) certificates or, as Internet Explorer and IE do, to highlight the true domain name, making it more difficult to tell phishing sites from the real thing.

Hunting and phishing

Safari passed all of my browser and JavaScript security exams, negotiating my predefined lab trials, test suites on the Internet (including scanit and Jason’s Toolbox ), and real-world exposure to known-malicious Web sites without allowing any malware to be automatically installed (Safari’s competitors fared just as well). The most malicious DoS Web site locked up Safari and the host machine, just as it did the other browsers, but Safari succumbed more quickly than the rest. Safari also fails to stop malicious URL moniker launches, used by attackers to automatically start helper applications they hope to exploit.

When Safari was first released, Apple touted the new browser as a secure alternative to Internet Explorer. As with all Internet Explorer alternatives, Safari’s lack of native support for ActiveX controls does provide users with some protection. Safari’s strong anti-phishing filters are also a plus.

But security is not Safari’s strong point. Unfortunately, 26 separate vulnerabilities have been announced since March 2008, one-third of which would allow complete system access. Plus, there simply isn’t a lot of security granularity to Safari. Security-minded users will have to decide if Safari’s poor cipher support, lack of security zones, and absence of enterprise features for mass deployment and control can be overcome by its aesthetic benefits.

Safari gets new encryption option for network privacy on iPhones, Macs

Apple's approach lets browsers and other apps, too, use encrypted DNS technology on the company's devices.

• Shankland covered the tech industry for more than 25 years and was a science writer for five years before that. He has deep expertise in microprocessors, digital photography, computer hardware and software, internet standards, web technology, and more.

Apple's Safari will take advantage later this year of new encryption technology that protects an important type of network communication called DNS. It's part of a broader movement to build privacy into internet technology like email and the web that initially sent sensitive data unprotected.

DNS, short for Domain Name System , looks up the numeric internet addresses needed to communicate with online sites we know by human-readable names like cnet.com or wikipedia.org. Loading a website, checking email and many other online activities perform many DNS lookups, but typically they're not protected with encryption. 

Chrome and Firefox add that protection with a standard called DOH, or "DNS over HTTPS."   Apple is embracing the same technology but is enabling it with the operating system, not the browser. And Apple also is offering a related encryption approach called DOT, which uses DNS over TLS, the encryption standard underlying the HTTPS technology for website security.

With iOS 14 , iPadOS 14 and MacOS Big Sur arriving later this year, though, Apple will let you add that protection to Safari , too, the company announced this week at its WWDC conference for programmers . Instead of building the protection directly into the browser, though, it's letting you install an app from a company like Cloudflare or Comcast that offers DOH support.

Apple's endorsement of DOH and DOT is an important moment for encrypted DNS. It's hard to retrofit privacy protections to decades-old technologies like DNS that are deeply embedded in the internet, but the shift to encrypted DNS is now well underway . On Thursday, Mozilla also broadened its support with a partnership to let Comcast handle Firefox DOH queries in accordance with Mozilla privacy requirements.

Privacy is a top priority for many tech players right now, and a key part of that push is encryption technology that scrambles data so it's impenetrable to those without the digital keys to decode it. Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook is arguably the most vocal privacy proponent in the tech world, and in the opening speech at WWDC , software chief Craig Federighi said, "At Apple, we believe privacy is a fundamental human right ."

Browsers and passwords

• How to install the iOS 14, iPadOS 14 developer betas
• Find out if iOS 14 will work on your iPhone. Here's the complete list
• MacOS Big Sur: Check out these 5 new features
• Apple gives Macs a brain transplant with new Arm chips starting this year

Not everyone likes encryption, though, as evidenced by proposed legislation like the Lawful Access to Encrypted Data Act and the Eliminating Abusive and Rampant Neglect of Interactive Technologies Act . Both proposals push to make it possible for authorities to get access to encryption keys from tech companies that today often don't have them.

DOH blocks snooping and tampering

Without encrypted DNS, "other devices on the network cannot only see what names you're looking up, but they can even interfere with the answers," said Tommy Pauly , an Apple internet technologies engineer, in one of the online presentations that replaced a real-world conference for this year's WWDC.

DOH and DOT also help when you're using a publicly available Wi-Fi network at a place like a hotel or airport, where "your internet usage could be tracked or blocked," he added.

Apple touted its privacy work at its online WWDC event for developers.

With Apple's technique, you'll be able to download encrypted DNS support and add it to an iPhone , iPad or Mac. Once installed, the DNS setting can be modified through the iOS VPN & Network settings or MacOS System Preferences' Network section.

An increasing number of companies offer DNS services. Candidates for support on Apple hardware include companies like Comcast and Cloudflare. Comcast didn't comment for this story, but Cloudflare Chief Technology Officer John Graham Cumming said Apple's move is "fantastic."

He praised Apple for having an app approach that makes encrypted DNS easy to install, works well with companies that might need to control DNS for their own operations, and handles encrypted DNS problems that can crop up when using hotel, airport or coffee shop Wi-Fi. "Encrypted DNS is here to stay. We couldn't be happier," he said.

Apple's approach lets apps other than the browser use encrypted DNS. And it should sidestep some objections DOH critics have had about DOH settings -- for example, that enabling it by default could send people's browsing activity data to companies they know nothing about.

Google added DOT support to Android Pie in 2018, letting you select an encrypted DNS provider like Cloudflare .

Computing Guides

• Best Laptop
• Best Chromebook
• Best Budget Laptop
• Best Cheap Gaming Laptop
• Best 2-in-1 Laptop
• Best Windows Laptop
• Best Macbook
• Best Gaming Laptop
• Best Macbook Deals
• Best Desktop PC
• Best Gaming PC
• Best Monitor Under 200
• Best Desktop Deals
• Best Monitors
• M2 Mac Mini Review
• Best PC Speakers
• Best Printer
• Best External Hard Drive SSD
• Best USB C Hub Docking Station
• Best Keyboard
• Best Webcams
• Best Laptop Backpack
• Best Camera to Buy
• Best Vlogging Camera
• Best Tripod
• Best Waterproof Camera
• Best Action Camera
• Best Camera Bag and Backpack
• Best E-Ink Tablets
• Best iPad Deals
• Best E-Reader
• Best Tablet
• Best Android Tablet
• Best 3D Printer
• Best Budget 3D Printer
• Best 3D Printing Filament
• Best 3D Printer Deals

Google Chrome vs. Safari: Which Is the Most Secure macOS Browser?

Whether you've got a Mac or MacBook, you need to know which is the better browse to use. Safari vs. Chrome: which is the best for you?

Safari and Google Chrome are two of the most popular browsers today. But if you're using macOS, does one browser outweigh the other in terms of safety? Which of these two world-renowned browsers is more secure for macOS?

Google Chrome vs. Safari: Background

Safari and Google Chrome were developed and launched by two tech giants: Apple Inc. and Google, respectively. Both browsers were launched in the 2000s, though Safari came five years before Chrome, in 2003. Apple's incredibly popular smartphones, tablets, and laptops have popularized the use of Safari, which is a favorite for many who own iOS-based devices.

Google, on the other hand, was already a widely used search engine 10 years before the launch of the Chrome browser. So Chrome gained a lot of notoriety from its recognizable name.

Today, Safari and Google Chrome have billions of users around the world, but there is an evident gap in the popularity of the two. While Safari has around a billion users worldwide (as reported by Apple Insider ), Chrome has over 2.65 billion (according to BackLinko ). The latter certainly takes the cake in terms of worldwide usage, but this doesn't necessarily mean it's a better fit for macOS devices.

Google Chrome vs. Safari: Accessibility

While Google Chrome is a cross-platform browser that can be used on an array of operating systems, Safari is designed solely for Apple devices, which run on iOS and macOS. You can download and use Chrome on Linux-, Android-, Windows-, and macOS-based devices, making it far more accessible to users.

But there is a glaring flaw associated with cross-platform: it can be less secure. Cross-platform apps tend to be more exposed to security vulnerabilities than native apps, as the latter uses native security features designed specifically for a certain operating system.

On top of this, cross-platform apps can also be more limited in terms of features, as they cannot offer specialized options for a specific OS. You may find this to be a bit of an inconvenience if you use Chrome on macOS over Safari. But we'll discuss macOS suitability in more detail a little later.

Google Chrome vs. Safari: Security Features

When it comes to security, it's crucial that we take a look at the features offered by Chrome and Safari that can keep you safe.

What Security Features Does Safari Have?

Let's start with Safari.

Apple is known for offering users high-quality security measures, and Safari is no exception to this rule. Safari offers some great security features, starting with its Intelligent Tracking Prevention. Introduced in 2017, this feature blocks cross-site tracking via machine learning without affecting the way in which the sites you visit operate.

Safari also offers fingerprinting protection, which prevents third parties from developing a profile based on your activity. What's more, Safari's sandboxing feature stops third-party apps from making any unauthorized changes on your device.

Additionally, Safari's Incognito Mode allows users to surf the web without having their activity saved. In other words, you can browse online without having your search history saved if you activate this feature. This is great for privacy, though it's worth noting that this is not the same as a VPN.

In fact, Safari does not offer any kind of built-in VPN, which may be a deal-breaker for those who want to stay anonymous online. Of course, you can download a separate VPN service to use when browsing with Safari, but there are browsers out there that offer a built-in VPN for convenience.

What Security Features Does Google Chrome Offer?

So, what about Google Chrome?

Like Safari, Chrome also has a sandboxing feature, but things don't stop there. Chrome also provides users with advanced phishing and malware protection. This keeps you safe against suspicious attachments, links, and external images. You'll also be protected against spoofing with this feature, and be warned of unauthenticated email addresses so that you know when you may be dealing with a suspicious sender.

You can also make use of Chrome's HTTPS First Mode, which warns you if a given HTTPS address is suspicious or known to be dangerous. This feature can be invaluable in protecting you from malicious sites designed to steal your data.

Google Chrome vs. Safari: macOS Suitability

Because Safari is specifically designed for macOS and iOS devices, one would assume that it's better suited to macOS than Google Chrome. And, if this is what you've guessed, you'd be right! Safari is a better fit for macOS overall for a number of reasons.

Firstly, Safari can operate more efficiently on macOS than Chrome, meaning it doesn't drain your device's battery as quickly. This is particularly important if you're using your device on the go without access to a charging point.

What's more, if you're using a macOS version that's earlier than El Capitan , you won't even be able to download Google Chrome, whereas Safari is available for all versions.

As we already know, Safari is tailored to macOS. But Google Chrome is also somewhat tailored to ChromeOS, an operating system launched in 2011 used by Chromebook laptops. So, if you're using a Mac or MacBook, which are both powered by macOS, you ideally want a browser that's designed for your device. In this case, it's Safari.

Google Chrome vs. Safari: Hacks and Vulnerabilities

Chrome and Safari are both software applications, meaning they're built on code that may contain flaws. These flaws can give way to security vulnerabilities, which cybercriminals are always eager to exploit. But are these two browsers particularly prone to security issues?

Let's begin with Google Chrome. This browser has fallen victim to various attacks and exploits over the years, often due to security vulnerabilities. However, Google's security team is often quick to patch such vulnerabilities once they're discovered and keeps users updated on attacks and possible risks.

Safari, on the other hand, has never been hacked as a whole. This obviously bodes well for this browser's security integrity, but it's worth noting that security vulnerabilities are still a problem for Apple's software, as is the case with many software providers. Safari works to patch its vulnerabilities quickly, but they do still occur. Cybercriminals have also exploited Safari-based vulnerabilities in the past, so the risk of attacks evidently exists on both browsers.

Google Chrome vs. Safari: The Verdict

Overall, Safari is likely the better fit for macOS. This browser offers a range of useful security features and a number of perks over Chrome due to its streamlined suitability for macOS devices.

But if you're not a fan of Safari, you can still rely on Chrome on your macOS devices for useful features and adequate protection. Just make sure you activate all the relevant security options on both browsers to keep yourself as safe as possible.

Chrome and Safari Are Great Browsers, but One Comes Out on Top

If you're using a macOS device, you're likely better off using Safari, which is molded to fit your specific operating system. While Google Chrome is by no means a shoddy browser, it is not designed for Apple devices alone, and therefore misses out on certain specifications.

'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean?

ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.

When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.

ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form .

The best secure browsers to protect your privacy online in 2024

Web browsers have become flooded with ad-sponsored content, making browsers a key battleground for end-user privacy. While Chrome is the most widely used browser in the world, there are alternative browsers and ways to improve your security available to help you stay anonymous online.

Data is one of today's key ingredients for generating revenue. Online advertising companies can use web browsing histories to fingerprint individual browsers over time, creating shadow user profiles to reveal information including a user's interests, product searches, and more -- which can lead to targeted advertising. When you look for a privacy-focused browser, you will want to investigate how advertising trackers and cookies are managed, whether or not search histories are stored or shared, and whether or not the browser developer has a transparent privacy policy in place. 

Also:   The best VPN services (and why you need one to protect your privacy)

What is the best secure browser for privacy in 2024?

ZDNET experts have kept a finger on the pulse of the secure browser market for decades and many of us have tried and tested different options throughout the years. Brave is our top pick for the best browser for privacy based on its approach to user privacy, ad tracking prevention, privacy settings, usability, and speed. 

Below, you will find other recommendations for secure browsers that can protect your privacy -- not only from cyberattacks, but also from businesses that scrape, store, and sell your data. 

Best secure browsers for privacy in 2024

Best browser for privacy overall.

• Not in the traditional online ad business
• Privacy-focused by default
• Chromium challenger
• Some users report compute resource issues

Brave f eatures: Chromium-based | Blocks third-party ad trackers | Blocks cookies | Incognito windows | Onion routing | VPN | Off the record browsing

Brave is a Chromium-based browser that blocks ads, fingerprinting, and ad trackers by default.

Brave supports millions of users worldwide. The organization's business model relies on privacy-protecting ads that pay publishers and users when users pay attention to ads. The company is transparent about this revenue stream, and it is optional -- with users rewarded in crypto tokens if they opt in to ad viewing.

Brave has several privacy-enhancing settings, including options to block third-party ad trackers, upgrade unsecured connections to HTTPS, as well as block cookies and fingerprinting. Invasive ads and trackers are disabled, which the company says then improves loading times on desktop and mobile.

Also: The best web hosting services for building your dream website

Brave  removed Google code  from its Chromium to improve user privacy, including some account integration, background sync, and inline extensions. There is also a "Tor mode" available for use, which provides anonymized onion network routing. 

The browser developer also offers a VPN and firewall service which protects sessions even outside of the browser. Many users say the browser exceeds expectations, although others find some functionality, such as VPN connectivity, could use improvement. 

Brave also offers a feature called " Off the Record " (OTR) for users who may be victims of intimate partner violence. The browser developer says the feature "aims to help people who need to hide their browsing behavior from others who have access to their computer or phone."

Mozilla Firefox

Most secure browser for tracking protection.

• Enhanced tracking prevention
• Focus on accessibility
• Trusted by millions of users
• Strict tracking protection may break websites
• May require heavy PC resources

Mozilla Firefox f eatures: Enhanced tracking protection | Firefox Focus for mobile | Strict privacy standards |   DNS queries sent to a secure resolver service | Focus on accessibility | Encrypted Client Hello

Firefox is a must-have for individual browser privacy across multiple devices. 

One of Firefox's most important privacy features is enhanced tracking protection. Mozilla has borrowed Tor techniques to block browser fingerprinting, and Firefox developers are constantly seeking to improve tracking-prevention features.

Firefox is rich with choices to customize the browser for privacy. It blocks social media trackers, cross-site tracking cookies, tracking in private windows, crypto miners, and fingerprinting scripts. There is a "strict" mode, too, that might break some sites when trackers are hidden in content -- but there are ways to allow enhanced tracking protection for trusted sites. Furthermore, a recent improvement is the introduction of Encrypted Client Hello (ECH).

Users enjoy Firefox's privacy focus but note that it can be a resource hog.

The other option for Firefox fans is Firefox Focus , a privacy-focused browser for iOS and Android that blocks trackers and has a built-in ad blocker.    

Mozilla also offers a VPN , with the option to connect up to five devices to over 500 servers in 30 countries.

The Tor browser

Best for anonymous browsing.

• High levels of anonymity
• DuckDuckGo integration
• Constant updates and improvements
• Learning curve to use
• Can be slow

The Tor browser f eatures : Onion routing | DuckDuckGo integration | Access to websites outside of the clear web

Another great choice for improving your privacy on the web is the Tor browser, a non-profit project focused on anonymizing users online.

Its proprietary web browser disguises a user's IP address and activity by relaying it through a network of servers (nodes) run by volunteers. Bouncing your information around makes it exceptionally difficult to track, which is great if you don't want your ISP or anyone else spying on your online activity. 

Tor can be a crucial tool for whistleblowers, journalists, activists, and people avoiding censorship. The Tor browser is also a popular choice for accessing the deep web: A collection of websites and pages that are inaccessible through traditional means, like search engines, in what is known as the "clear" web. 

Also:  How to use Tor browser (and why you should)

The Tor browser's default search engine is DuckDuckGo, which will not log or store your search queries.

While it isn't a mainstream choice, the Tor browser is a well-regarded browser for people who don't want to be tracked across the web, and it gets updated frequently by  the Tor Project . Users applaud the network's tough approach to privacy but note slow speeds and occasional problems with Captchas.

Page loads in the Tor browser can be slower and some sites might not work well due to the architecture of the Tor network. Nonetheless, the Tor browser is a privacy-preserving browser worthy of consideration.

Best browser for private searches

• Available across different operating systems
• Solid commitment to user privacy
• Email protection settings
• Bland browser design

DuckDuckGo f eatures: Chrome and Firefox supported | Mobile and desktop private browser | Does not collect user data | AI experiments | No search engine query trackers

When it comes to DuckDuckGo, user privacy comes first. 

The privacy-focused search engine and browser is a vocal supporter of consumer privacy rights and now handles millions of user search queries daily.

There is a growing appetite for privacy-focused alternatives to tech giants like Facebook and Google. DuckDuckGo's Privacy Essentials extension for Chrome , Firefox , and Microsoft's Edge  has also proven popular. Its reputation is built on the idea that it does not collect user data but can provide the same search results as those that do. 

DuckDuckGo used to be a search engine rather than a full browser, but then released a mobile-friendly browser app and, now, a desktop version. The organization's browser provides a private search, website protection and blockers, web encryption, and more.

DuckDuckGo is experimenting with AI-assisted technologies to improve the search experience and has recently upgraded its browser . Users appreciate the firm's privacy focus, although some complain of censorship -- a concept DuckDuckGo staunchly denies . 

Mullvad Browser

Best for use with a vpn.

• Two heavyweight privacy developers
• Fingerprint, tracker blocks
• Tor-based privacy features
• New, so less thoroughly tested

Mullvad Browser f eatures : Fingerprint masking approach | Removes online identifiers | Private mode enabled by default | Blocks trackers, cookies

Mullvad is a relatively new entry to the secure browser market.

Not to be confused with the Tor browser, the Mullvad Browser is marketed as the "Tor Browser without the Tor network." The browser is built by the Tor Project team and distributed by Mullvad, a respected Swedish virtual private network provider. 

The idea behind the browser is to emulate the Tor network by creating a similar fingerprint for all users, improving anonymity. Furthermore, the browser comes with a private mode out of the box, tracking and cookies are blocked, and online functions used to extract information from visitors -- such as device identifiers -- are prevented.

You can use the browser as a standalone product, or you can combine it with Mullvad VPN . Users have given generally positive reviews, although you may find yourself signing up for the VPN for the best setup -- and it's not the cheapest on the market.

However, you should keep in mind that Mullvad was  subject to a search warrant by the National Operations Department (NOA) of the Swedish Police in 2023. Mullvad staff said that as the customer data did not exist, law enforcement was left with nothing (and no customer information). 

What is the best browser for privacy?

Brave is our top pick for the best browser for privacy based on its approach to user privacy, ad tracking prevention, the wide range of privacy settings on offer, usability, and speed. However, no browser is perfect, so you must decide which option suits you best.

Which is the right browser for privacy for you?

Not one size fits all, so be sure to reference the table below to better understand which browser suits your use case.

Factors to consider when choosing a secure browser

When you are switching to a more secure browser, there are some important factors to consider:

• Online identifiers : You should check to see if the browser tracks any of your activities, visits, or search queries. This data can be used to create profiles for targeted advertising and may be used to track you across different websites.
• Audits : The best secure browsers will conduct frequent security audits and have consistent patch releases to fix vulnerabilities and bugs that could expose users to risk. 
• Speed vs. security : Some browsers will route your traffic through a number of servers to vastly reduce the likelihood of you being tracked. However, you will need to decide how slow you're willing the connections and browsing to be.
• VPN : If you want to use a VPN, consider whether or not the browser works well with one -- or if the browser offers a built-in solution.

How did we choose these browsers for privacy?

While investigating the best browsers for privacy in 2024, we compared each of these browsers and extensions to determine what makes them different and which is best for different use cases. 

• Balance : The balance between managing user privacy and funding a business can be a tricky one for companies to manage, but as we've shown, many developers are willing to wave the security flag on behalf of users over potential opportunities to generate more revenue.
• User experience : We reviewed customer feedback to ensure that the majority of users find the browsers easy to install and use.
• Features : We like to see additional privacy-enhancing features, like onion routing. We chose providers who offer more than standard browsing experiences. 
• Platform support : We selected browsers offering a range of support for different operating systems and platforms, as well as mobile coverage. 

How does a privacy browser work?

A privacy browser works by automatically erasing your browsing and search history and cookies. It also may limit web tracking, and some even help hide your location (IP address). Privacy-focused browsers may also promote virtual private network (VPN) usage and may include features designed to bypass censorship blocks and keep users as anonymous as possible, such as access to onion routing and refusing to log site visits or web searches.

Do I need a privacy browser?

If you are concerned about your online privacy, you should install a privacy browser or at least an extension. We have to take responsibility for our own privacy online these days, and you can't rely on companies to do the job for you. 

Also:  How to delete yourself from internet search results and hide your identity online

We can recommend a few basic steps to take: Download one of the privacy-first browsers listed above that doesn't log your queries and activities, install a VPN, and use messaging apps with end-to-end encryption. 

Does using a private browsing window hide my IP address?

If you're using Chrome, an incognito window doesn't hide your IP address. It simply doesn't store your browser history, information you've entered into forms, or what permissions you've given to sites you've visited. Microsoft Edge, Firefox, and Opera all use a similar form of "anonymous" web window for browsing, but they aren't truly hiding your online identity. 

Also:   The best VPN services (and whether it's worth trying free VPNs)

If you want to block your IP address from being viewed or tracked, you can download a VPN , which masks your IP address so your service provider (or anyone else, for that matter) can't see what you're doing.

What is the most common personal web security risk?

Honestly? Putting your personal or contact information on social media. If you have your full name, phone number, address, or place of work anywhere on your social media, someone can use it to wreak havoc on your personal accounts. 

To prevent this, avoid using your real name online where possible, turn off location tracking, and don't post about your place of work if you can help it. All it takes is a single piece of personal information for someone with very bad intentions to get ahold of your entire online presence -- and so if you're posting photos of you away from home and on holiday, for example, you're letting people know your home is vulnerable.

Also:  The best security keys

Those innocent-looking name generator memes are another big issue; the ones that have you type out your first pet's name and your childhood street name (or something similar) to make up a gnome (or whatever) name. These are answers to common password recovery questions, so by letting the world know that your Christmas elf name is Fluffy Elm Street, you could be handing over all of your personal accounts to internet criminals. 

Are there other browsers worth considering?

Online privacy and security are hot topics today. The amount of data quietly collected on each and every one of us is staggering -- and beyond targeted advertisements, you may not realize it. 

The browsers we've recommended above can help tighten up your defenses against tracking and online monitoring, but as no browser is a perfect solution, you may also want to consider the alternatives below:

ZDNET Recommends

The best mobile vpns: expert tested, the best vpn services of 2024: expert tested, the best free vpns: expert tested.

Most Secure Browsers Of 2024

Updated: Apr 17, 2024, 12:10pm

Table of Contents

Top browser security features, the most secure browsers of 2024, advanced security options, frequently asked questions.

If you are not careful, advertisers, hackers, governments and corporations can follow your online activities click by click. What is the best way to prevent this? One method is to use a secure browser that allows you to reclaim your right to privacy by protecting your identity online.

Here is a list of what to look for and how to keep your browser secure.

Featured Partners

Malwarebytes

$44.99 per year to $119.99 per year

On Malwarebytes's Website

$34.99 per year to $59.99 per year

On Avast's Website

Unfortunately in today’s world, a simple internet search for the best Thai restaurants in a neighborhood or a quick glance at a bank account can leave internet users open to a world of bad news. From marketers trying to mine your data for monetary gain to hackers trying to find personal information, it is no wonder online privacy is one of the biggest concerns in the tech world. A secure browser and security features designed to protect your privacy are key to keeping personal data safe from these nefarious activities.

Blocking Third-Party Trackers

Several popular web browsers act more like a data collection agency for advertisers rather than a consumer tool. These browsers track and store a person’s browsing history, then sell that data to corporations to use for advertising purposes. This allows tech companies to monetize your data.

Some users find this helpful, as search results are tailored to their specific preferences, however, other users find it as a breach of privacy. If you are in the second group, make sure your web browser blocks all third-party trackers and storage. This will prevent tech companies from collecting and storing data from your online searches.

Incognito Browsing

While incognito or private browsing sounds like it is a secure option, it still leaves you and your data exposed. While private browsing does erase your information, your IP address and location are still being shared with every website, ad and tracker that loads in your browser. That information can then be sold to third parties. Incognito mode also allows people to spy on your computer activities through key-logging software.

Password Management

While it is convenient to store passwords in browsers to automatically log you into frequently used websites, this leaves you vulnerable to hackers. Browsers generally store these passwords using plaintext. Use password management software for better password protection. A secure password manager stores user information and passwords in an encrypted archive that does not leave your data vulnerable to attacks.

Browser Compartmentalization

Most of us use the same browser to go between email, web surfing, social media and back while being continuously logged into all our accounts. Services like Gmail and Facebook will track your web browsing activities while you are logged in to their websites.

One of the easiest ways to prevent this is to compartmentalize your browsers. Use one browser solely for web browsing. Use another browser solely for online accounts that require a password. Make sure you change privacy settings to ensure the cookies are turned off and that the browser is not storing your browsing history. Also, always log out of social media and email accounts when you are not using them.

Brave is arguably one of the best web browsers for all-around security. The open source browser includes a built-in ad blocker, a script blocker, automatically upgrades to HTTPS, blocks all third-party storage and protects against browser fingerprinting. One of the biggest advantages of using Brave is the fact its privacy features are automatically set up. Users do not have to customize features to increase their security.

Firefox is a great option for privacy and security, but users must first tweak the settings to customize for great security. Firefox collects and stores your usage and performance data by default. To opt out of this practice, disable telemetry data collection. Spend time in the privacy settings to turn on pop-up blocking, anti-fingerprinting protection and phishing protection.

Google Chrome is popular because of its functional and fun interface. While the company stays on top of its security features with constant updates, it is safe to assume all your browsing actions on Google are collected, saved to your data profile and used for targeted advertising. It is hard to tell how Google tracks its users because it is not open source, but it is not a good tool to use for anyone concerned about privacy issues.

Antivirus Software

To create a secure browsing experience, make sure to invest in antivirus software. This protects your computer from malware and cybercriminals by continuously scanning your computer for malicious attacks. As with any software, there is a wide range of options with various price points and security features. Forbes Advisor created a list of the best antivirus software to help narrow down your search.

Virtual private networks (VPNs) help secure your web traffic data against hackers, snoops and marketers by allowing you to create a secure internet connection. VPNs use end-to-end encryption to hide data and IPS addresses by routing data through an encrypted tunnel. This is especially useful when internet browsers are relying on a public Wi-Fi network, which could be easily susceptible to hackers.

These days, VPNs are popular for a wide variety of reasons, but not all VPNs are equally reliable. Forbes Advisor evaluated the best VPNs on the market to help you pick the right fit for your needs.

Why is browser security important?

Web browsers are often configured for the user’s convenience at the expense of the user’s safety. Using an unsecure web browser can leave users vulnerable to hackers, stolen data, malware, and more.

How do I secure my browser?

There are several quick steps you can take to make your browsing experience more secure. To start, block browser cookies, disable saved passwords, install strong antivirus software, use a VPN, disable autofill and update your browser.

What is the best antivirus software I can use?

There are several options for the best antivirus software available, such as Avira being the best value, McAfee being best for comprehensive features and Emsisoft for high-tech defenses. Read our article on the 7 Best Antivirus Software Of 2024 to find the best option for your needs.

• Best Website Builders
• Best Blogging Platforms
• Best Web Design Software
• Best Domain Registrars
• Best Landing Page Builder
• Best Portfolio Website Builder
• Best Website Builder For Photographers
• Best Website Builder For Artists
• Best Real Estate Website Builder
• Free E-Commerce Website Builders
• Best Church Website Builder
• Free Blogging Platforms
• Best Cheap Website Builders
• Best Shopify Alternatives
• GoDaddy Website Builder Review
• Squarespace Website Builder Review
• Shopify Website Builder Review
• Wix Website Builder Review
• Weebly Review
• Webflow Review
• Web.com Review
• ClickFunnels Review
• Wordpress.com vs. Wordpress.org
• Woocommerce vs. Shopify
• Wix vs. Squarespace
• Wix vs. Shopify
• Wix vs. WordPress
• Squarespace vs. Shopify
• Squarespace vs. WordPress
• Square vs. Squarespace
• Webflow vs. Wix
• GoDaddy vs. Shopify
• How to Build A Website For Free
• How to Make a Portfolio Website
• Small Business Website Design
• How To Design A Website
• How To Build An eCommerce Website
• Top Website Statistics for 2024
• Website Redesign Best Practices

What is Brand Monitoring? Definition & Best Practices

Managing Rental Properties In 2024: Tips And Best Practices

Is Social Media The New Google? Gen Z Turn To Google 25% Less Than Gen X When Searching

Paycom Vs. Paylocity (2024 Comparison)

What Is White Hat SEO?

NordPass Vs. LastPass (2024 Comparison)

Jennifer Simonson draws on two decades as a journalist covering everything from local economic developement to small business marketing. Beyond writing, she tested entrepreneurial waters by launching a mobile massage service, a content marketing firm and an e-commerce venture. These experiences enriched her understanding of small business management and marketing strategies. Today, she channels this first-hand knowledge into her articles for Forbes Advisor.

Cassie is a deputy editor collaborating with teams around the world while living in the beautiful hills of Kentucky. Focusing on bringing growth to small businesses, she is passionate about economic development and has held positions on the boards of directors of two non-profit organizations seeking to revitalize her former railroad town. Prior to joining the team at Forbes Advisor, Cassie was a content operations manager and copywriting manager.

We are reader supported and sometimes earn a commission if you buy through a link on our site.

> Resources > What Is the Most Secure & Private Web Browser

What Is the Most Secure & Private Web Browser for 2024?

M aintaining your security and protecting your anonymity on the internet is tough when you’re browsing the web. In this article, we'll take a look at the available browser options.

M aintaining your security and protecting your anonymity on the internet is arguably one of the hardest things to pull off when you’re browsing the web.

However, there are quite a few hardened browsers that offer excellent protection for your browsing sessions. In addition, there are extensions available to add protection to the popular browsers that most people use.

In this article, I’ll share information about the popular “mainstream” browsers, and also discuss some options and settings you can adjust in your favorite browser to enhance the security of said browser.

We will take a look at alternative browsers that, while based on mainstream browsers, all add additional security and privacy features designed to provide better protection for you during your browsing sessions.

Finally, I’ll share some web browser extensions that I particularly like, which offer increased security for your online travels. They’re free to use and can help prevent ad tracking, as well as increase the possibilities of avoiding the malware that’s just waiting to pounce on your browser.

• Mainstream Browsers

In this section, I’ll provide a look at the “mainstream” browsers most readers are probably most familiar with. These browsers include Microsoft’s Edge browser, Google’s Chrome, Mozilla’s Firefox, Apple’s Safari, and Opera Software’s Opera.

As we’ll see, while these browsers aren’t the most secure and private available, users continue to prefer them due to their convenience.

• Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge is the Redmond firm’s attempt to put the security-hole-ridden days of Internet Explorer behind them and offer a more secure and sleeker web browsing experience.

In addition to Windows 10, Microsoft Edge is also available for iOS and Android devices. Both versions provide background syncing of information with your Windows 10 PC to allow seamless browsing across all devices.

Microsoft designed Edge to be more secure than Internet Explorer, removing some features while adding others. The browser does not offer support for VBScript, JScript, VML, Browser Helper Objects, Toolbars or ActiveX controls.

Microsoft has removed support for legacy Internet Explorer document modes, saying that removing support for these features significantly reduces the browser’s “attack surface,” making it more secure than IE was.

In Windows 10, Microsoft added their “Windows Hello” technology, which is a system to authenticate both the user and the website they are accessing.

“Windows SmartScreen” helps to defend against phishing attempts by performing reputation checks on websites, blocking any that appear to be phishing sites. The technology also helps to defend users against being tricked into installing malicious applications via socially-engineered attacks.

Despite Microsoft’s efforts on the security-hardening front, at the March 2021 Pwn2Own hacking event , participants were able to execute remote code on the Edge browser.

The event offers cash rewards to “ethical hackers” who can attack vulnerabilities in the major browser platforms, including Edge, Chrome, Safari and Firefox. I’ll share more about each browser’s performance at Pwn2Own in their own sections.

• Google Chrome

Google Chrome is available on the Windows, macOS, Linux, Chromebook, Android and iOS platforms.

The Chrome browser is based on the open-source Chromium browser project. The browser supports expanded functionality via a vast collection of extensions, available through the Chrome web store.

Participants at the  Pwn2Own 2021 event hacked Google Chrome, Safari, and Microsoft Edge, while other competitors, including Firefox, have been compromised in the past.

Google uses two blacklists: one for phishing and another for malware. (A blacklist is a list of websites or IP addresses that are sources of spam, viruses, fraud and other malicious activity and payloads.) Chrome uses the list to warn users when they attempt to visit a potentially harmful website. The browser also offers download scanning protection to protect against malware.

The browser “sandboxes” its tabs, preventing them from interacting with critical memory functions, such as operating system memory and user files. This helps prevent device infection from malicious code. The sandbox can only respond to communication requests that the user places.

Chrome does not offer a master password function to prevent access to a user’s passwords, which the browser stores, which is a major security fault.

The browser offers an “Incognito” private browsing feature , which prevents the browser from permanently storing users’ history information or cookies from any visited websites.

It should be noted that Incognito mode does not prevent a third party, such as a hacker or even a user’s own Internet Service Provider, from observing a user’s online antics. Only an encrypted connection, such as what a Virtual Private Network (VPN) offers, can protect that information. (See my “Other Methods of Securing Your Web Browsing” section for more information.)

The online search and advertising firm Google develops and maintains the Chrome browser, and as such, Google tracks Chrome users’ online activities and search history in order to serve targeted ads during a web browsing session. This is an intrusion into a user’s privacy, spurring many to explore other browser options.

• ​Mozilla Firefox

Firefox is an open-source browser that the Mozilla Foundation founded. The browser is available on most popular desktop and mobile computing platforms, including Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS and Android.

The most recent Pwn2Own event included the opportunity to attempt to hack Firefox . Participants made two hacking attempts against the browser. Only one attempt, which was able to elevate system privileges by using an integer overflow and an uninitialized buffer in the Windows operating system kernel, was successful. (Don’t worry if you didn’t understand that – what’s important is that it was hacked.)

Firefox limits scripts on one site from accessing data from another website (making it tougher to track or read data from another website), and uses SSL/TLS to protect web server communications via the HTTPS protocol . The browser is compatible with the popular HTTPS Everywhere add-on to enforce HTTPS, even if you enter a normal HTTP address.

Firefox generally has fewer security vulnerabilities than Microsoft’s Internet Explorer, making it a popular alternative for security-minded users. When Mozilla discovers bugs, many of which paid researchers searching for security holes find, Mozilla quickly patches them.

Mozilla recently released Firefox “Quantum,” which provides a number of security and speed enhancements , and which uses less memory than before.

The browser offers a Private Browsing feature , which blocks online trackers while browsing and doesn’t keep a record of the user’s browsing history while it is enabled. The new browser also offers protection against hidden ad tracking.

Unlike Google, Firefox creator Mozilla is a non-profit organization and doesn’t make use of a Firefox user’s browsing and search history to serve up ads . Instead, the company is a champion of internet privacy and safety.

• ​Safari Web Browser

Released in 2003, Apple’s Safari web browser is available only on the Mac OS X, macOS, iOS and iPadOS computing platforms. Apple announced a Windows version of the WebKit-based browser in June 2007, but Apple discontinued the Windows version in May 2012 and no longer supports it.

Safari didn’t really fare well at Pwn2Own in 2021 , as a hacker was able to score a cool $100 grand by pulling off a Kernel code execution through Safari.

Safari is a reasonably secure browser, although there have been numerous exploits discovered against the platform.

Some of Safari’s and the macOS operating system’s excellent security reputation has, in the past, been due to the relatively small user base for the OS. But as the Mac has become more popular with users, the platform and its built-in browser have become more attractive targets.

The current version of Safari offers “Intelligent Tracking Prevention,” designed to identify advertisers and other parties that attempt to track your online activities and remove the cross-site tracking data left behind. The browser also warns users if they attempt to visit suspicious websites.

A Private Browsing feature prevents Safari from remembering a user’s search history, which websites the user visited, or a user’s auto-fill information. In addition, a tab sandboxing feature offers protection from malicious code and malware by confining each page to a single browser tab, preventing it from crashing a browser or accessing other websites’ data.

• Opera Web Browser

Currently, the Opera web browser is available for the Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS operating systems. The browser is based on the open-source Chromium browser platform, the same one Google’s Chrome is based on.

Opera is the only browser listed in this “mainstream browser” section that did not participate in the 2017 Pwn2Own competition. However, the browser does have several security-minded features that help protect users while they traverse the net.

Perhaps the most helpful security feature of the latest version of Opera is its free, built-in Virtual Private Network (VPN) feature . The feature protects a user’s browsing session by encrypting the browser’s internet connection, shielding the user’s online antics from prying eyes.

Please note that the VPN protection is not quite as comprehensive as what pay-for-play services offer, offering only protection for any activities in the browser itself – the rest of your computer’s online activities, such as that connected to email, torrenting and other apps, are still laid bare to possible monitoring by outside parties.

Opera VPN’s connection options are also more limited than that of paid VPNs, with location options limited to only “Europe,” “Americas” and “Asia.” While this might limit your blocked-content-unlocking options, it should prove to be enough protection for those simply looking for a free and easy-to-use service to protect their browsing activities.

Opera’s fraud and malware protection has the ability to warn users of suspicious web pages, which is a feature that is turned on by default.

The browser checks any web page a user requests against a “blacklist” database of phishing and malware websites. If the requested site is on the blacklist, a warning page will display before Opera shows the page. The user must then decide, on their own, whether or not to go ahead and open the page.

The browser also includes a built-in ad blocker , which Opera claims makes “content-rich” web pages open as much as 90% faster.

• Alternative Browsers

In addition to the mainstream browsers listed in the previous section, there are a number of alternative browsers, which are designed to offer additional security and privacy protections.

These browsers are usually based on popular browser engines, such as the Chromium engine used in Google’s Chrome browser, but are modified to provide safer browsing.

In this section, we’ll take a look at 3 browsers, each of which takes a slightly different approach to securing and privatizing your web browsing sessions. All 3 browsers, while offering excellent protection, also have their own drawbacks.

• Epic Privacy Browser

The Epic Privacy Browser was designed from the ground up to provide comprehensive private browsing, with “always-on” privacy that doesn’t require toggling on a “private mode,” like some other browsers require. The browser is based on the Chromium browser engine, which is the basis for the Google Chrome browser.

Epic blocks trackers and third-party cookies, and claims to be the only browser that actively blocks thousands of trackers.

The browser also protects your web searches from being saved and tracked by automatically loading search engines via its built-in proxy, preventing the search engines from tracking users by their IP address. If available, the browser will use an HTTPS version of the websites you visit.

In addition to its other privacy protections, the Epic browser also offers a built-in encrypted proxy , similar to a VPN, which both hides your IP address and encrypts all of your data.

The browser offers 9 locations in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia and the United Kingdom, allowing users to appear as if they are located in the selected country. You can enable the proxy from the browser’s toolbar.

Please note that during testing, many websites, especially those that are vigilant for proxy servers and VPNs, such as Netflix and Hulu, did not work properly with the encrypted proxy engaged . Epic warns that some websites, such as Facebook and Gmail, may require additional authentication steps with the proxy turned on.

Any time you open a new browsing tab, you’ll see a screen similar to that of other browsers, with a set of buttons you can click to go directly to a website. However, since Epic doesn’t track or remember any of your web travels, you’ll need to manually set up the buttons with links to your favorite websites.

The home page also offers a running count of how many trackers have been blocked during your current browsing session.

While Epic allows the use of browser extensions, the selection is limited, with just 7 extensions available at the time of this article. Extensions are available from Evernote, Clearly, Pocket, IE Tab (Windows Only), Xmarks, LastPass and RoboForm.

• Tor Browser

The Tor Browser provides one of the most secure ways available to browse the web. The browser makes use of the Tor (“The Onion Router”) network, using the network’s series of relays, which are run by volunteers and are used to encrypt and anonymize a user’s connection.

Tor’s “onion routing” is called that due to its implementation of encryption in the communication protocol stack’s application layer, which is constructed similarly to the layers of an onion. The network encrypts the data several times, never revealing the original IP address.

The browser has the ability to effectively prevent anyone from tracking your internet connection to learn your location or to monitor which websites you visit . This makes the Tor Browser a popular choice among journalists and activists who are located in countries where internet activity is closely monitored.

By bouncing a user’s connection around the Tor network, the browser makes it appear that the user is located somewhere else. As seen below, despite my actually being located in the southeastern part of the United States, whatismyip.com indicates that I am located in France.

This IP address “spoofing” feature prevents websites from learning your actual IP address and physical location. It also provides access to many websites and services that might normally be blocked to your area, due to geographical content blocking.

While the Tor Browser does a great job of anonymizing your web browsing, it only anonymizes your browser activity , and the traffic for other internet-connected apps on your computer or mobile device is routed in the usual, unprotected manner.

In addition to IP address spoofing, the Tor Browser also protects your privacy by routing your internet searches through the anonymous DuckDuckGo search site, which doesn’t track you – unlike the Bing and Google search sites.

Tor is lightweight and self-contained, which makes it an excellent candidate for including on a USB stick so you can use it on other computers, no installation needed.

Tor Browser isn’t a valid candidate for use as your daily driver browser, as the relay method used by the network to anonymize your internet usage can noticeably slow down your online experience . So, you’ll likely still want to have Chrome or another browser handy for activities that aren’t security-critical.

I advise you that the Tor Browser allows users to access some of the more dangerous, and let’s say “seedier,” parts of the web, which could lead you to encounters with viruses and malware more often than you normally might. So be careful to practice safe browsing, even with the extra access to these more “unusual” areas of the net.

• Brave Web Browser

Brave is an open-source browser based on the Chromium browser engine, which is the same engine that the Google Chrome browser uses. The lightweight browser claims improved loading speeds and reduced data usage , mostly due to its advanced ad tracking and blocking abilities.

Brave is available for the Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS platforms. It includes HTTPS Everywhere integration, blocks cookies, and boasts a growing community of developers working to improve the browser.

While Brave blocks all ads and trackers by default, you can allow selected ads and trackers via the browser’s preferences panel.

Since ads are the main source of income for many websites, the company also offers a “Brave Payments” system , which allows users to anonymously donate to content producers they like. Brave then automatically distributes microdonations to the desired content producers.

Brave does allow the use of browser extensions. However, those extensions are limited to a small number of approved extensions. Brave-approved extensions include those from 1Password, bitwarden, Dashlane, Honey, LastPass, MetaMask, PDF Viewer, Pocket and Torrent Viewer.

The browser also offers a number of innovative tab-based features, such as tab previews, which offer a full-screen preview of a tab when you hover your mouse pointer over it.

In addition, the browser includes the ability to create new private tabs on the fly and set the number of tabs to be shown per session.

• Other Methods of Securing Your Web Browsing

In addition to trying to use the most secure browser, you can also help protect your security and privacy while surfing the web by using plug-ins or adjusting the settings on your browser of choice. You can also help protect yourself by simply practicing safe computing.

In this section, I’ll share the various methods that you can use to secure your browsing by using plug-ins like HTTPS Everywhere, apps like those available from VPN providers, and the settings you can change in your browser to harden your security settings. (But never harden your heart, as Quarterflash did .)

I’ll also look at common-sense steps to take to protect yourself and your precious personal information.

HTTPS Everywhere

HTTPS Everywhere is a free extension for the Firefox, Chrome and Opera browsers on most desktop computing platforms, and on Android mobile devices. This free extension encrypts your communication with a large number of websites , making your browsing sessions more secure.

HTTPS Everywhere is the result of collaboration between The Tor Project and the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

Although many websites offer support for encryption over HTTPS, not all do. Or, some of the websites may use HTTPS for logins, but leave much of the rest of the site open to unencrypted HTTP communication.

HTTPS Everywhere sits in the background, quietly rewriting HTTP requests to use the more secure HTTPS on websites that support it.

The extension was inspired by Google’s increased usage of HTTPS and is designed to force the use of the secure transport layer where possible.

​Zscaler Tools (Internet Explorer 6 to 10)

While the HTTPS Everywhere extension is not officially available for Internet Explorer, there is an extension based on the HTTPS Everywhere project available for Internet Explorer 6 to 10.

Zscaler Tools – HTTPS Everywhere for Internet Explorer – is still in its early days, development-wise, as the version number of 0.0.0.3 indicates. The extension translates URLs from HTTP to HTTPS according to EFF rules and also secures cookies.

It does not support HSTS (HTTP Strict Transport Security) at this time, and also doesn’t provide support for custom rules. HSTS is a web server directive that tells user agents and web browsers how to handle its connection through a response header sent at the very beginning and back to the browser. 

The extension is available on the Zscaler website, and the download includes an installer. You’ll need to restart Internet Explorer to enable the extension.

​Disconnect

Disconnect is a browser extension that works on the major browser platforms (Chrome/IE/Firefox/Safari). The extension works to block web tracking, malware and “malvertising” while you roam the web. Disconnect also offers apps for Android and iOS devices.

The Disconnect button sits in your browser’s toolbar and displays the total number of tracking requests from every page you visit. If the icon is green, it means the extension has blocked all of the requests on a page. If the icon is gray, it means the extension was only able to block some of the requests.

Clicking the toolbar icon shows the type of requests that Disconnect has blocked, including advertising, analytics, social and content requests.

Google, Facebook and Twitter are shown separately, allowing you to block or unblock a site with a click of the mouse. You can also add websites to a blacklist or a whitelist to block or unblock all requests from a website.

The Disconnect service is available in three levels of service:

• Basic offers protection for a single browser, allowing you to block trackers and search privately.
• Pro blocks malware and trackers across all of your devices.
• Premium also secures your Wi-Fi connection and masks your location via the Disconnect VPN service.

I have found the Disconnect browser extension’s basic plan is perfect for my needs, as I already have a favorite VPN I use to protect my internet connection.

​DuckDuckGo

The DuckDuckGo website has long been an excellent way to prevent your search activity from the monitoring it is subject to when you use one of the big boys like Google or Bing.

The private search engine recently made an extension available for Firefox, Safari and Chrome, which offers private search, tracker network blocking and smart encryption .

The DuckDuckGo browser extension also shows you a Privacy Grade of A to F when you visit a website. This lets you view, at a glance, how well your privacy is protected on any given site.

The score is based on the presence of hidden tracker networks, the website’s privacy practices and its available encryption. (Take it from me, they’re strict. I haven’t seen a website that’s earned an “A” grade yet.)

The search company has partnered with Terms of Service Didn’t Read (TOSDR) to include their scores of the service and privacy policies of websites, when it’s available. The extension also includes DuckDuckGo’s private web search , making private searches more convenient than ever.

In addition to the browser extension, DuckDuckGo has also released a new version of their mobile private search app for iOS and Android devices.

The DuckDuckGo browser extension is available for Firefox, Safari and Chrome.

​Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) protects your internet connection by encasing it in a layer of encryption.

This prevents anyone who’s looking to monitor your connection, such as hackers, government agencies or even your own Internet Service Provider, from seeing your online travels, as well as the important personal information related to those travels.

I have tested and reviewed a large number of VPN providers on this very website, and they are a valuable tool for protecting your internet connection – especially when traveling and when you’re forced to use your computer or mobile device on an open Wi-Fi hotspot, such as those found in coffee shops, hotels and other public locations.

In addition to protecting your internet connection from prying eyes, a VPN also allows you to appear as if you’re connected in another global location. This makes it easier to access international web content , such as video and audio streaming content, that might normally be blocked from your actual location.

I strongly recommend that you check out NordVPN to protect your web browsing, no matter which browser you use. NordVPN provides top-notch online security and privacy for most popular device platforms. Its impressive global server network delivers fast connections that are protected with the latest in security and privacy measures.

In addition to comprehensive online protection, NordVPN also delivers reliable access to numerous video streaming sites around the globe. The provider protects users’ accounts with two-factor authentication and offers blocking of malware and other online-related threats.

For more information, check out my articles about the best VPNs for Chrome , Firefox , Edge , Safari and Tor .

TRY OUR #1 RATED VPN RISK FREE

NordVPN has a risk-free 30-day trial if you sign up here . You can try the VPN rated #1 for secure and private web browsing without restrictions for 30 days – great for test-driving the service.

There are no hidden terms, just contact NordVPN's support team within 30 days if you decide the service isn't right for you, and you'll receive a full refund. Start your NordVPN trial now.

​Use Your Browser’s Security and Privacy Tools

You may or may not be aware that whichever browser you use, it has privacy and security settings that you can adjust to your liking . Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Opera, Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge browsers all have options that allow you to protect yourself while browsing.

I’ve already covered how to do this in a quite informative article, How to Browser the Web as Anonymously as Possible , which is (in my humble opinion) highly recommended reading for those interested in securing their favorite web browser.

• Action Steps

We’ve covered a lot in this article, but nothing too arcane. By taking the time to investigate your options, you can easily decide on the most secure browser for your needs, and even find ways to better strengthen your browser of choice’s own security protections with the use of extensions or a VPN.

I have personally found that Google’s Chrome, with a few well-chosen extensions such as HTTPS Everywhere and Disconnect, as well as a high-performance VPN like NordVPN , to be one of the best ways to protect online travels from prying eyes. All those individual pieces stack up to a security wall that keeps your screen from becoming cluttered with ads and adware and protects you from malware.

For privacy protection from a base browser configuration, try Brave browser. macOS Monterey 12 users can take advantage of the privacy and security improvements Apple has brought to Safari. With the proper combination of VPNs, browser extensions, and antivirus/anti-malware protection, you can be reasonably safe on the web. Just stay out of the dark corners of the web.

When I’m researching subjects like the dark web , or when I want to protect myself from detection by my ISP or friendly neighborhood government agent, I always use the Tor Browser due to its use of connection relays to obfuscate my actual location and the activities that I am conducting.

You may find that, much like your other online activities, there isn’t any single app that will cover all of your security and privacy needs. That’s why I always suggest keeping various tools in your online arsenal to protect yourself and your activities. That’s why you should also check out the other guides on my site for more information on how to protect yourself while online.

Enjoy your travels, and stay safe!

• Secure & Private Web Browser FAQs
• What Is the Most Private Browser?

Thanks to its use of multiple relays to anonymize your IP address and identity, I consider the Tor Browser to be one of the most private browsers available. However, it is also one of the slowest browsers around, thanks to using multiple relays.

• Is Mozilla's Firefox a "Safe" Browser?

Firefox is an open-source browser, meaning anyone can examine the code, and this helps keep things on the up-and-up. Firefox also offers a variety of security features, including phishing and malware protection, blocking attack websites, and warning users when a website attempts to install add-ons.

• What browser should you use when Tor is not an option?

Use a browser like Brave or Firefox. Make sure the browser settings are set to their most private, deleting your browsing history as well as your caches each time the browser is shut down. Also, use a VPN, like NordVPN , this will encrypt your internet connection, preventing your ISP and other nosy types from tracking your online travels.

• What is the least secure web browser?

Yandex, Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Waterfox, are all less than secure. Yandex is owned by a Russian company that is much like Google, and like Google, it collects information about your online activities for sale to advertisers and other nosy types. Microsoft Edge is owned by a less than private company, and Waterfox is owned by an advertising firm.

• Will installing addons and toolbars slow down my browser's performance?

Depending on the addon or toolbar, it could potentially slow down your browser's performance. For example, if you install a lot of toolbars, they may take up valuable resources that could impact your browser's overall speed.

Additionally, some addons and toolbars are designed to run in the background and can use up CPU and memory resources, which can also slow down your browser. However, not all addons and toolbars will have a negative impact on your browser's performance. Some are actually designed to improve speed and efficiency. So it really depends on the particular addon or toolbar you're using.

• Do I Need to Use a Privacy Browser?

That depends, do you care if you're being tracked, putting your online privacy at risk? If the answer is yes, you need to use a privacy browser. A privacy browser automatically erases your browsing and search history, limits web tracking, and in some cases, it even helps to hide your real IP address.

• What is the Most Common Personal Web Privacy Vulnerability?

One of the most common web privacy vulnerabilities is self-inflicted. It occurs when you post your personal or business information on social media. By posting your name, address, phone number, job information, and other sensitive information you provide enough information to allow bad guys to find out more information, while also giving them enough info to possibly open new credit accounts without your knowledge.

Contents [ hide ]

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Which Is Better: Your Browser's Password Manager or a Standalone Service?

Either kind of password manager can improve your security. Here's what you need to know before you decide.

Browser-based password managers can be faster to set up than standalone products, but they have limitations.

By Yael Grauer

“Would you like to save this password?” We’ve all had a browser, such as Chrome or Edge, ask us this after logging in to a website, but is it the best way to go? Or is it better to use a standalone password manager, like 1Password or Dashlane? 

Either way, security experts agree that having unique passwords for every account is vital because it protects you in the event of a data breach. Once criminals acquire log-in credentials from a data breach, they often try to use your username and password elsewhere across the web in a type of attack called credential stuffing . If you never reuse passwords, they won’t have much luck.

Since no human can memorize unique passwords for dozens if not hundreds of accounts, security experts have long recommended the use of a password manager, a service that helps you generate and store long, unique passwords for all of your online accounts. Password managers operate across browsers and devices. They also allow you to easily share passwords with family members or coworkers/colleagues who share access to the same accounts.

But not everybody wants to use a password manager. In fact, a nationally representative survey of 2,000 people conducted by Consumer Reports in 2023 (PDF) found that only 35 percent of Americans use one of these services. 

Security experts disagree on whether browser password managers offer the same level of robust security as stand-alone password managers, but one thing is clear: Both types of password managers make it easier for people to create and store unique passwords for each account.

That means if you don’t want to pay for a password manager or spend time setting one up, you can protect yourself by saving passwords directly in your browser and having it generate passwords for you—just like a standalone password manager would.

To see how browser password managers stack up against one another, CR’s security testers evaluated the password managers built into Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari. They also compared them with one of our top-rated standalone password managers , 1Password Families.

Here are answers to the most important questions.

Can Browsers Generate Passwords?

Just like 1Password Families, the browser-based password managers in Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari were able to generate passwords. (You have to be logged in when using Firefox and Safari.)

Can Browsers Check for Compromised or Reused Passwords?

One of the benefits of password managers like 1Password is that they let you check if a password you’ve used is one you’ve reused on multiple accounts. You can even look to see if a password you’ve used is listed in an online database of login credentials that have been stolen in data breaches. (These are tracked on a site called Have I Been Pwned .) 

The password managers in Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari also allow you to check whether any of your passwords have been compromised. Additionally, all of the browser-based password managers except for Firefox’s allow you to see whether your passwords have been reused. 

Some browsers do this differently from others, though. For example, when we tested Safari on MacOs, it did not show us when we were creating a new account with an identical password, but it did alert us to duplicate passwords when we viewed the passwords it had stored. 

Do Browser Password Managers Let You Share Passwords?

If you want to share a bank account login with your spouse or share a Netflix account with your housemates, the easiest way to do this is to share your password. Standalone password managers typically allow password sharing—either by creating a shared vault or by sharing individual passwords. That means you and your partner both have your own password manager accounts but can choose to share some of your login credentials with each other. 

Safari allows password sharing , but the other browsers we tested did not. 

How to Use Password Sharing on Safari On a Mac, choose Safari > Settings, and click on Passwords. After entering your password (or Touch ID, if enabled), control-click the site with the password you want to share, and then choose Share with AirDrop. (The person you are sharing with must allow themselves to be discovered in AirDrop, which they can do on the Finder in a MacBook or in the Control Center on an iPhone or iPad.) 

Next, click on the person you want to share the password with, and click Done. 

Do Browser Password Managers Offer Interoperability?

Standalone password managers are designed to be used across browsers and devices. For example, you can access 1Password through the service’s website in any browser, through a browser extension, or through a phone app. This is an area where they have an advantage over browser password managers.

While the password managers in Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari allow you to import passwords from one browser to another, only Edge and Firefox allow you to share passwords directly between browsers.

Do Browser Password Managers Offer Multifactor Authentication?

Multifactor authentication adds an extra layer of security to your accounts so that even if somebody knows your password, they won’t be able to log in.

This is an area where browser-based password managers fall short. 1Password Families offers multifactor authentication, and in fact it requires a secret key in addition to your password when you log in from a new device.

With browser-based password managers, it’s a little more complicated. Browsers may allow you to set up multifactor authentication for your account, but can also allow some functionality without an account. Chrome, for example, allows you to save your passwords in the browser locally without a password. That is not ideal from a security point of view. However, you can set up multifactor authentication on your Google account. 

Are Browser Password Managers Easy to Set Up and Use?

It can be very quick and easy to get started with a browser password manager than a standalone product. For example, Safari’s password manager is enabled by default. It will prompt you automatically when you log in to a website, asking if you want to save the password. In contrast, standalone password managers like 1Password require some additional setup: signing up for an account, setting a primary password, adding browser extensions, etc. However, once it’s set up, syncing between apps and devices will likely be easier with a standalone service such as 1Password, especially if you use different types of apps and devices—for example, if you use Safari on your iPhone and Firefox on your laptop or desktop computer, or if you use Chrome on your Android phone but the Brave browser on your laptop. 

Do Browser Password Managers Let You Store Other Data?

1Password allows you to store not just passwords and product keys, but also notes, documents, images, and other files. That could include a photo of your passport, or a PDF of a healthcare proxy form. Browser-based managers may also allow you to store some information beyond passwords. For example, Chrome allows you to store payment information and addresses. 

How Can You Make Password Managers Even More Secure? 

First, it’s always a good idea to use a password to log in to your computer, phone, and other devices, to protect not just any passwords that may be stored on your browser but anything else you happen to have on there.

Regardless of where you store your passwords, make sure you wipe your computer first before you sell it or otherwise dispose of it.

Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2024, Consumer Reports, Inc.

How-To Geek

I tried browsing the web with safari 1.0, here's how it went.

Hands-on with Apple's first web browser.

Key Takeaways

• Safari 1.0 was released in 2003 to replace Internet Explorer on the Mac.
• It was lacking some features compared to other web browsers, but it was fast and minimalist.
• Safari 1.0 is not compatible with most modern websites.

Safari was introduced in 2003 as Apple's replacement for Internet Explorer on the Mac, and it has continued to evolve since then as the default browser on all Apple devices. Let's take a deep dive into the browser that started it all: Safari 1.0.

The first version of Safari was released on June 23rd, 2003 , following a public beta that reached nearly five million downloads. The initial version was an optional download for Macs running Mac OS X 10.2 Jaguar , and it was later bundled with Mac OS X 10.3 Panther . Apple continued shipping Safari with every new Mac operating system, continuing to the present day with new releases of macOS.

Hello, Safari

Safari is a core system application on Mac computers, so you can't (easily) use older versions on newer operating systems that have a newer Safari version already installed. In the name of science, I fired up my trusty 1999 PowerMac G3, created a new drive partition, and installed a fresh copy of Mac OS X 10.3 Panther. That release shipped with Safari version 1.1, so this isn't technically the first public version, but it's close enough.

Safari 1.0 is a far cry from modern versions of Apple's web browser, but there are some familiar interface elements. The top bar has the back, forward, reload, and bookmark buttons that are still present in today's web browsers, but the address bar and web search are two separate text fields.

Google Chrome helped popularize the idea of a combined address and search bar when it was released in 2009, but before that, most web browsers had the same split text fields. On that note, Google is the default search engine, and I didn't see an option anywhere to change it.

Safari 1.0 isn't just minimalist by today's standards. This new Mac OS X installation also came with Internet Explorer 5 for Mac, which has a much more cluttered design with a sidebar, status bar, and more buttons at the top of the window. You could click a button on the sidebar to hide most of that for distraction-free browsing, but Safari is less complicated out of the box.

Most of the other browsers from this time, like Opera, Netscape, and the Mozilla Application Suite, were similarly feature-packed. The first version of Firefox arrived in 2004, the year after Safari, with a simplified feature set and a focus on web browsing. There is support for tabbed browsing in Safari 1.0, but it's not enabled by default.

There's also a bookmarks manager for organizing your favorite sites and pages, accessible from the menu bar or the bookmarks button in the bookmarks bar. The default bookmarks are a fun look back at the early-2000s internet, with links to Amazon, PayPal, BBC News, MapQuest, Monster.com, and other sites.

The preferences panel has some options for how windows open, where to save files and pages, turning on tabbed browsing, managing plugins, and deleting browsing cookies. There's also an AutoFill feature that can fill in web forms with information from your Address Book.

I also noticed this early version of Safari doesn't have an Inspect Element option, or seemingly any other web development features. You can view the HTML source code for a page, but that's it.

Surf Like It's 2003

So, what can you actually do with Safari 1.0 in 2024? Well, not a lot. This is a twenty-year-old web rendering engine, with no support for modern HTML and CSS layout features, HTML5 video, or most JavaScript features. Every site that loads over HTTPS (SSL) shows security warnings or refuses to load at all.

The main Google home page works, but the search results use a broken mobile layout. CNN, Apple.com, Wikipedia, eBay, and BBC News don't load at all. Amazon made the browser freeze for about a minute, complete with the spinning beachball of death, then loaded a page with just text and no styling or images.

There are a few websites designed specifically for older browsers, though. The FrogFind search engine created by Action Retro on YouTube works well here, which downgrades modern sites to simpler text-based layouts.

FrogFind doesn’t always work well, but it does turn websites like Wikipedia from completely unusable to readable.

Looking Back at Tomorrow

You can’t use Safari 1.0 for typical web browsing anymore, but it’s still a fascinating look at Apple’s vision for the future of web browsing. It wasn’t a feature-packed internet suite, like Netscape and Mozilla, or a super-customizable application like Opera. It was a fast, simple, and focused web browser, built on top of the modern KHTML engine from KDE’s Konqueror project.

Even though Safari wasn’t a perfect experience in its early days, the response from Mac owners was generally positive. Macworld said in 2003 , “Safari loaded pages faster than Internet Explorer in four out of five tests — in some cases, almost twice as fast.” The review from CNET for the 1.0 release said, “We encountered only minor bugs, usually related to JavaScript errors, though less so than the beta versions. Overall, Safari performed well.”

Safari went on to serve as the default browser for the iPhone and iPad, and there was a short-lived Windows version starting in 2007 . Safari’s underlying WebKit engine has also helped shape the internet we know today. WebKit was used by Google Chrome for years until Google forked it to create the Blink engine , which is now used by Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Vivaldi, and other web browsers.

For now, though, I’m happy to get back to a functioning modern web browser.