Privacy Chapter 10 — Private Browsing: Brave, Firefox & the Tools That Matter
- Pallav Avatarit
- Nov 10, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Nov 25, 2025
Secure Browsing: Alternatives to Google Chrome
Let’s dive into how to browse the internet securely. Most of us use Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge, but from a privacy perspective, these browsers have significant issues. Both collect a lot of data about your browsing habits, which can then be used to target you with ads and even sold to third parties.
Privacy-Friendly Browsers
For better privacy, consider switching to browsers like Brave or Firefox (or Librewolf - Firefox based browser for additional privacy). Here’s why they are better than Chrome or Edge:
Brave Browser:
Privacy by Default: Brave blocks ads, trackers, and third-party cookies out of the box, ensuring your browsing experience is private without needing extra extensions.
Speed: By blocking ads and trackers, Brave can load pages faster than Chrome.
Built-in Tor: Brave has a built-in Tor option for private browsing, which adds an extra layer of anonymity.
Rewards System: Brave has a unique feature where you can earn Basic Attention Tokens (BAT) for viewing privacy-respecting ads, which you can then use to support your favourite websites.
Firefox:
Strong Privacy Protections: Firefox is developed by Mozilla, a non-profit organisation with a strong focus on user privacy. It has robust tracking protection and regularly updates its privacy features.
Customisation: Firefox is highly customisable with numerous add-ons and themes, allowing you to tailor your browsing experience.
Open Source: Firefox is open-source software, meaning its code is available for anyone to inspect and verify. This transparency ensures there are no hidden backdoors or malicious code.
Enhanced Tracking Protection: Firefox blocks known trackers and harmful scripts, giving you control over your data.
If you’re using Apple devices, Safari is a bit better than Chrome and Edge regarding privacy – it offers to hide your IP from trackers and stops cross-site tracking, but it still doesn’t offer the same level of protection as Brave. Read more information about private browsers here.
Privacy Extensions
No matter which browser you choose, adding privacy extensions can significantly enhance your online security. Here are some must-have extensions:
uBlock Origin: A powerful ad blocker that also prevents tracking scripts.
Privacy Badger: Developed by the EFF, it blocks trackers that follow you around the web.
HTTPS Everywhere: Forces websites to use encrypted connections whenever possible.
Decentraleyes: Serves local copies of web resources to prevent tracking.
Even if you don’t want to switch from Chrome, you should still install these extensions to block ads and trackers. However, be aware that Google is working on updates that could prevent ad blockers like uBlock Origin from working effectively on Chrome.
Tor Browser
For those who need the utmost privacy, the Tor Browser is an excellent tool. Tor routes your internet traffic through multiple servers to anonymise your activity, making it nearly impossible to track. However, it’s very slow and not suitable for everyday browsing. We’ll discuss Tor and the Tor network in more detail in a future blog.
Secure Search Engines
Switching to a privacy-focused search engine like Brave Search or DuckDuckGo can also improve your online security. They doesn’t track your searches or store your personal information, offering a much safer browsing experience.
After switching to Brave, I tested my privacy settings on platforms like EFF’s Cover Your Tracks and other tracker and web leak tests to ensure I’m protected. For a detailed comparison of different browsers check this out.
Conclusion
While switching from Chrome isn’t a must, it’s highly recommended for better privacy. But if you choose to stick with Chrome, make sure to install the privacy extensions mentioned above to safeguard your online activity. Taking these steps will significantly improve your browsing security and protect your personal information from prying eyes.
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