What is a Safe Browser and why should I use it?

Products
- All-In-One Protection Recommended
  - NEW!McAfee+ Products
    Our most comprehensive protection for your privacy, identity, and all your personal devices.
    Individual and family plans
  - NEW!McAfee+ Ultimate
    Our most comprehensive privacy, identity and device protection with $1M ID theft coverage.
  - McAfee Total Protection
    Protection for your devices with identity monitoring and VPN.
- Device Protection
  - Antivirus
  - Virtual Private Network (VPN)
  - Mobile Security
- Free Tools & Downloads
  - Web Protection
  - Free Antivirus Trial
- Other Services
  - PC Optimizer
  - Virus Removal
Features
- Keep Me Private Online
  - Personal Data Cleanup
  - VPN (Virtual Private Network)
- Safeguard My Identity
  - Identity Monitoring
  - Password Manager
- Protect My Devices
  - Antivirus
  - Web Protection
- Protect My Family
  - Protection Score
  - Parental Controls
About Us
- Our Company
  - Company Overview
  - Investors
- Our Efforts
  - Public Policy
- Join Us
  - Careers
  - Life at McAfee
  - Our Teams
  - Our Locations
Resources
- Stay Updated
  - McAfee Blog
  - McAfee Labs
  - McAfee on YouTube
  - Prevent Spam and Phishing
- Learn More
  - Learn at McAfee
  - What is Antivirus?
  - What is a VPN?
  - What is Identity Theft?
- Press & News
  - McAfee Newsroom
Why McAfee

Products

Recommended

All-In-One Protection

NEW!McAfee+ Products

Our most comprehensive protection for your privacy, identity, and all your personal devices.
Individual and family plans

NEW!McAfee+ Ultimate

Our most comprehensive privacy, identity and device protection with $1M ID theft coverage.

McAfee Total Protection

Protection for your devices with identity monitoring and VPN.

Device Protection

Antivirus

Virtual Private Network (VPN)

Mobile Security

Free Tools & Downloads

Web Protection

Free Antivirus Trial

Device Security Scan

Other Services

PC Optimizer

Virus Removal

Features

Keep Me Private Online

Personal Data Cleanup

VPN (Virtual Private Network)

Safeguard My Identity

Identity Monitoring

Password Manager

Protect My Devices

Antivirus

Web Protection

Protect My Family

Protection Score

Parental Controls

About Us

Our Company

Company Overview

Investors

Our Efforts

Public Policy

Join Us

Careers

Life at McAfee

Our Teams

Our Locations

Resources

Stay Updated

McAfee Blog

Reports and Guides

McAfee Labs

McAfee on YouTube

Prevent Spam and Phishing

Learn More

Learn at McAfee

What is Antivirus?

What is a VPN?

What is Identity Theft?

Press & News

McAfee Newsroom

Why should I use a safe browser?

While you may be familiar with anti-spyware and antivirus software, which react after a threat becomes apparent, safe browsers prevent certain actions from happening in the first place, making it a very proactive way to stay safer on the internet.

Safe browsers help stop third-party tools, like cookies. Cookies collect your private information, like the websites you’ve visited, usernames and passwords and other tracking data. Safe browsers also don’t share your identity, like some of their less secure counterparts. Even if you use a VPN, you’re only hiding your IP address, location and the data in transit. Your browser can still expose your identity through leaks or browser fingerprinting.

This may sound a little scary, but luckily, you can use secure browsers along with a VPN to better protect your online identity.

Which browser should I choose?

There isn’t one perfect secure browser for everyone. Instead, each browser has its benefits.Take a lookat some of our favorites below:

Secure Browsers

Firefox

Firefox is a robust browser when it comes to both privacy and security. It is easily customizable and offers a lot of privacy features. Firefox is also updated regularly, which helps with threat management.

Google Chrome

Google Chrome is a very intuitive internet browser. It is relatively easy to use and secure. Additionally, Google Chrome comes with built-in transparency protection. The safe browsing features warn users when they run into phishing or malware sites. This browser is optimized for multiple devices. However,Chromedoeshavebuilt-in data collection tools, which sometimes slowsit down.

Chromium

Google Chromium is the open-source version of Google Chromeforpeople who want more control over their browser. Chromium does not contain the same proprietary code as Chrome does, so in some ways, it is easier to integrate third-party software. The Chromium browser does require manual updates, which can be challenging to maintain.

Brave

Brave has a smaller fanbase, but it takes security seriously. Each time you close Brave, it asks you what data you would like to delete. It has several beneficial features, such as HTTPS Everywhere and a script blocker. It’s highly customizable, so you can choose how secure and private you want to be.

Tor

Tor offers a highly secure browser option. In addition tohavingfeatures like clearing all cookies when closed, Tor anonymizes you. It also provides integrated applications to ensure privacy, such asNoScript. Torgoes the extra miletoanonymizefor your browsing, which only aids your privacy. Each feature has customizable options as well, which enhancesthe experience.

Does a secure browser keep me safe?

Even a secure browser does not guarantee security. Practicing good web hygiene is a great start, as is adding more layers of protection like McAfee® WebAdvisor, which can help mitigate the risks of malicious links and typos in addresses, while allowing you to continue using a preferred browser like Chrome or Firefox – so you can confidently browse, search, shop and live your life online.

ASIA PACIFIC

Australia - English

New Zealand - English

Singapore - English

Malaysia - English

Philippines - English

India - English

대한민국 - 한국어

日本 - 日本語

中国 - 简体中文

香港特別行政區 - 繁體中文

台灣 - 繁體中文

EUROPE

Česká Republika - Čeština

Danmark - Dansk

Suomi - Suomi

France - Français

Deutschland - Deutsch

Ελλάδα - Ελληνικά

Ireland - English

Magyarország - Magyar

ישראל - עברית

Italia - Italiano

Nederland - Nederlands

Norge - Bokmål

Polska - Polski

Portugal - Português

Россия - Русский

España - Español

Sverige - Svenska

Suisse - Français

Schweiz - Deutsch

Türkiye - Türkçe

العربية - العربية

United Kingdom - English

LATIN AMERICA

Argentina - Español

Brasil - Português

Chile - Español

Colombia - Español

México - Español

Perú - Español

NORTH AMERICA

United States - English

Canada - English

Canada - Français

What is a Safe Browser and why should I use it? | McAfee (2024)

Why should I use a safe browser?

Which browser should I choose?

Secure Browsers

Does a secure browser keep me safe?