A browser or browser is a software application that allows users to display text, graphics, video, music and other information on a World Wide Web page but also to communicate with the information provider and even to them. A browser can be defined as a virtual internet navigator that reads scripts and pages written in a wide variety of programming languages.
Therefore, instead of the word browser, the term navigator can also be used.
Some of the most popular browser applications are Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Google Chrome, Mozilla Camino, Opera Software Opera, Nintendo DS browser and Flock.
Taking into account that the browser is the tool we use to surf the web, we’ve decided to find the safest browser available in 2019. Today, users can choose between many famous and less popular web browsers. They promise a better browsing experience, increased intimacy, personalized search results, and other features that might be useful.
1. Google Chrome
Launched in 2008, Google Chrome is the leader amongst web browsers. According to the latest statistical data, it covered 62.4% of the browser market in November 2018. There is no doubt that useful functionality and high security have brought success to this browser. The browser has an incognito mode and offers manual customization of privacy preferences. However, Google’s ability to track all user steps as well as clicks seems overpowering. Therefore, even if Chrome is considered one of the safest web browsers, data tracking and user skills are the most significant drawbacks.
2. Mozilla Firefox
Mozilla Firefox has been traditionally one of Chrome’s biggest competitors, with a long history of product development, but never reached Chrome’s fame. However, the company launched in November 2017 a new version, called Firefox Quantum, that offers better security and privacy features, so the market share is guaranteed to increase over time.
3. Opera
Opera is another search tool that can be included in the “safer browsers” list. Since 2016, the desktop version consists of an implemented ad blocker. However, ad blocking is disabled as default, and users must manually turn it off from Opera settings.
As a conclusion, the browser offers some significant advantages: you can avoid third-party ads that may contain malicious processes, and you can anonymously access specific sites. However, the browser collects user information and can share it with its trusted partners.
4. Internet Explorer
Old versions of Internet Explorer were well-known for serious security issues, so IE can hardly be called the safest web browser. In addition, a few years ago, it was reported that Internet Explorer had the highest malware detection rate. One interesting thing is that Microsoft still offers an update to at least 30 days. Add the option to add extensions to the blacklist and also having the Do Not Track function to block sites from collecting information about you. Just like Google Chrome, IE is being criticized by users for tracking data. It seems Microsoft wants to know more about its customers more than they want to admit.
5. Microsoft Edge
Microsoft has promoted Edge as a web browser that is safer than Chrome and could win the most reliable browser title. Thanks to Windows Defender SmartScreen, the browser included in Windows 10 can detect phishing and malware websites better than Chrome or Firefox. Besides, the browser features sandboxing technology, which is similar to Chrome and is better than that provided by Firefox.
6. Safari
For more than a decade, Mac OS users have pre-installed Safari on their computers. Safari offers a wide variety of security and privacy settings such as disable location settings, ask websites not to track me, and more.
7. Comodo Dragon Internet
Comodo Dragon is based on the Chromium project. The browser includes all of Chrome’s features but provides better security and privacy when browsing the web. So if you’re not a fan of Mozilla and you prefer Chrome, you can choose the Comodo Ice Dragon version as the safest browser.
8. Tor Browser
The Tor browser offers anonymity. Hackers, both white hat and black hat, widely use the Tor web browser. However, this does not mean that there is something dubious or dangerous about this tool. In fact, it is the safest free search engine, so we have to present it as one of the most reliable browsers. The entire Tor project is managed by volunteers and is dedicated to allowing Internet users to navigate anonymously on the web. The program hides the IP address, location, navigation information, and uses multiple encryption layers to prevent others from viewing online activities. However, it is not a VPN service. The browser is a cleaner and safer version of Firefox. It uses HTTPS connectivity, allows you to access blocked websites, and even visit the dark web. However, you should not take advantage of this function. But, among the disadvantages of Tor you can find low performance, inconvenience, and somewhat complicated usability.
Web browsers work on specific protocols that link the user to the web pages stored (defined) on specialized web servers. The most commonly used web protocols are HTTP, HTTPS, and FTP. In general, the documents and web pages that browsers display are, at the wishes of their authors, interconnected by the hypertext technology, which allows simple jump from one document or site to another by simply pressing the mouse.