Which browser is the safest in 2020?

Internet security and privacy were some of the most talked about topics of 2019. The issue of the growth of cybercrime, data breaches or privacy issues cannot be ignored, which in turn, has made Internet users increasingly aware of the importance of online security. Considering that the browser is the tool we use every day to navigate the Internet, knowing which is the safest browser of the year will be very useful.

We know that the current offer of web browsers is quite varied: there are the most popular ones, those that promise better privacy or custom search results... it is not a decision to be made lightly, as choosing a suitable browser could determine our chances of getting infected with malware or being the victim of online scams.

While it is true that it is difficult to choose just one browser, because it depends on the type of program the computer has, these are the best and safest, starting with:

1. Google Chrome

Google Chrome is one of the best browsers for Android operating systems as well as Windows and Mac (iOS) as Google provides excellent security for its users and the fact that default browsing uses Google’s search engine, is another point in its favor.

One of Chrome’s strengths is its availability on multiple platforms so syncing browsing history and other data on different devices is not only available but also easy. Just sign in to the Google account.

Another of its advantages is that it is very fast, especially when it comes to uploading websites owned by Google, such as Gmail and Youtube.

Not to mention security, if you’re in the habit of saving your password in your browser, using the Chrome browser is the safest option because the password will be saved directly into your Google account. If you link your Gmail ID to the Chrome browser, you can sync data to your PC to your mobile without any third-party interruption. 

2. TOR

An acronym for "The Onion Router"; TOR is a browser that offers many layers of encryption to keep users safer. It is not the most popular but probably has the highest level of security because it uses a three-layer proxy. TOR navigation hides the user’s actual physical location and IP address so that they can enjoy an anonymous and completely private experience on the Internet. What are the cons? Data transfer rates can be slow and anonymous servers operated by volunteers may have vulnerabilities.

3. Mozilla Firefox

Mozilla Firefox used to be one of Google’s closest competitors, currently holding about 4.5% of the world market share. Despite that, it’s worth noting that its developers are constantly up to date with upgrades, security updates and new features. With the goal to make Firefox the safest browser, developers have been providing updates and security fixes very often. In the latest update, numerous security vulnerabilities were repaired, including some bugs that allowed arbitrary code exploitation or identity theft attacks.

4. Brave

Brave is a web browser whose main focus is privacy and security. By default, this browser blocks advertising, cookies, phishing, malware, and it offers advanced options to enable HTTPS everywhere as well as, preventing browser fingerprints. If you’re very concerned about security, then this is the browser for you. What distinguishes Brave from other web browsers is its cryptocurrency, the basic attention token (BAT). The Brave browser has a built-in software wallet for storing BAT tokens that you can use to financially support web owners or online creators when viewing their content. 

5. Microsoft Edge

The Microsoft Edge browser is one of the fastest browsers on Windows computers because it comes built-in with the operating system, made by Microsoft. Edge is simple and easy to use; it offers all the necessary features required by the user and has excellent security. It also receives a new security update every month.