browsers

Search engines – most of us today don’t know where we would be without them. If you want to find something out, you can just Google it. Search engines have become the go-to place for anything that you want to know, whether you’re looking to find a store near you that sells a certain product or want to find a new recipe to cook for dinner tonight. These days, it’s hard to find somebody who hasn’t used a search engine at least once as they have become necessary for work, education, entertainment, shopping, and much more. But one of the main concerns that many people have when using a search engine is security. So, which search engine is the right option for you?

Google Chrome

Google is by far the most popular search engine and has become much more than just a website where you can get answers to your questions. In fact, it’s now used as a verb around the world. If you’re not sure about something, just ‘Google’ it and find out! Today, Google is the dominant search engine option with a huge market share and massive online marketing features. It is used by businesses and individuals alike to not only find information, but to get companies in front of the right audience.

However, in terms of security, it really depends on what you are looking for. It is no secret that Google tracks and gathers data on its users to provide them with the best experience and show them relevant ads. Nevertheless, it’s trustworthy and has lots of features to make sure that your data is kept safe, so it’s down to whether or not you are okay with having your activity tracked – which most people don’t mind. Google Chrome also offers an easy one-click installation for all devices. You can find out more about how to get Chrome on Mac at Setapp. Setapp offers a range of tutorials and tips to help you make the most of your device whether you’re looking to improve security, boost speed or download new software.

Tor

Tor has been endorsed by Edward Snowden and is the top browser choice for anybody who wants to remain anonymous and private when looking for information online. Tor uses its own method of connection known as ‘onion routing’, which is because of the layers of security that it uses. Rather than connecting to the internet through a central hub, Tor uses onion routing to connect users through each other before connecting to the server. This allows you to remain anonymous within a web of other anonymous users. Although it does have somewhat of a notorious reputation as the only browser that will allow you to access the dark web, it’s a powerful tool for anybody who is trying to stay as private as possible online. However, on the downside, it is often slower compared to other browsers.

Firefox

Firefox is a popular browser, coming in third behind Google Chrome and Safari. Brought to you by Mozilla, the team has worked hard in recent years to make this browser even more secure and private. Unlike other browsers, Firefox is open-source, allowing anybody to examine their source code. It is also updated on a regular basis and there are handy customization options available that allow you to set up different privacy levels when using the browser depending on what you need. It offers several layers of protection to users including notifications in the event of a data breach, 256-bit encryption for passwords, advanced anti-fingerprinting protection and enhanced tracking protection.

DuckDuckGo

This search engine is a top choice with anybody who wants to remain totally anonymous when browsing, since it does not track you at all. However, unlike Google, it might be harder to find local search results when using DuckDuckGo since they do not track your GPS location. Users will need to remember that ‘near me’ searches are unlikely to work as well and it’s best to put in the town or city that you are searching in when looking for a local business. If you don’t like receiving ads online that relate to the topics that you have been searching for, DuckDuckGo is the ideal search engine for you. It is easy to download and use, and the best part is that there is a free Chrome extension that you can simply add onto your Chrome browser, meaning that if you’re used to Google, switching to DuckDuckGo is seamless.

Iridium Browser

If you love using Chrome but wish that it didn’t collect so much information on you, Iridium Browser might be the right solution for you. It was built to be like Chrome but safer, and the features and source code are almost identical, meaning that there’s no need to get used to a new browser design or features if you’ve been using Chrome for years and enjoy the user experience. It is a very user-friendly option – in fact, many users say that it’s even more user-friendly than Chrome because it does not have the unnecessary Google features. You can also use most of the plugins from the Chrome Web Store easily with this browser.

Brave Browser

From the creator of JavaScript, Brave is a browser designed to help users take back control of their privacy and security. It offers a built-in script blocker and automatically upgrades to HTTPS connections. It does not collect or sell any user data and rather than showing you ads that you never asked for, it offers a unique rewards program where you can earn tokens by viewing ads that will respect your privacy. Since it is built on the same source code used for Chrome, it is user-friendly with a great interface and easy to install and set up on your device. Users are also impressed with the fact that Brave tends to be a faster option compared to the other browsers out there that are an alternative to Chrome.

Google Chrome might be secure enough for some, but if you don’t like the idea of a search engine tracking your online activity, it’s worth looking into some of the alternative, privacy-based browsers available.