Secure Browsing: Harden Your Browser Against Attacks

Your browser is the most important piece of software on your computer. It handles passwords, financial data, and private communications.

Common browser attack vectors:

• Malicious extensions: Can read all your browsing data, modify pages, steal passwords
• Drive-by downloads: Visiting a compromised site triggers malware download
• Cross-site scripting (XSS): Injected scripts steal session cookies or credentials
• Man-in-the-browser: Malware modifies web page content in real-time
• Browser fingerprinting: Tracking you without cookies using device characteristics

The foundation:
Keep your browser updated. Browser updates often patch critical security vulnerabilities. Enable auto-updates and restart your browser when prompted.

For most people: Firefox

• Strong privacy protections built-in (Enhanced Tracking Protection)
• Container tabs isolate sites from each other
• Open-source, independent from big tech advertising
• Excellent extension ecosystem

For convenience + security: Brave


• Chromium-based (compatible with Chrome extensions)
• Built-in ad and tracker blocking
• Fingerprint randomization
• IPFS support, Tor window for anonymous browsing

For maximum security: Tor Browser


• Routes traffic through the Tor network (3 relays)
• Defeats fingerprinting with uniform configuration
• Use for: investigative research, whistleblowing, accessing .onion services
• Trade-off: Significantly slower browsing

For enterprise compatibility: Chrome/Edge


• Both Chromium-based with strong sandboxing
• Chrome: enable Enhanced Protection in Safe Browsing
• Edge: enable SmartScreen and Enhanced Security Mode

Must-have extensions:

1. uBlock Origin — Best ad/tracker blocker. Free, open-source, lightweight.
2. Bitwarden / 1Password — Password manager browser extension
3. HTTPS Everywhere (or browser's HTTPS-Only mode) — Force HTTPS connections

Recommended for privacy:


4. Privacy Badger — Learns to block invisible trackers
5. ClearURLs — Removes tracking parameters from URLs
6. Decentraleyes/LocalCDN — Serves common libraries locally instead of from CDNs

For power users:


7. NoScript — Block JavaScript by default (breaks many sites)
8. Cookie AutoDelete — Automatically clear cookies when tabs close
9. Multi-Account Containers (Firefox) — Isolate sites into color-coded containers

Extension safety rules:


• Only install from official browser extension stores

Firefox hardening:

• Settings → Privacy & Security → Strict Enhanced Tracking Protection
• Enable HTTPS-Only Mode
• Disable telemetry: Settings → Privacy → Firefox Data Collection
• about:config tweaks (advanced):

Chrome hardening:

• Settings → Privacy → Safe Browsing → Enhanced Protection
• Settings → Privacy → Always use secure connections
• Disable: "Improve search suggestions", "Help improve Chrome"
• Review site permissions: chrome://settings/content

General for all browsers: