Misinformation or outdated advice about online safety can leave you and your personal data vulnerable. So let's look at five common browser security myths so you can keep your understanding of browser security and the browser itself up-to-date.
Incognito mode makes you completely anonymous
Ο myth that incognito or private browsing makes you completely anonymous is a common misconception. Incognito mode provides privacy as it does not save your search history, cookies or form data. However, this only applies to that particular device and browser.
Your Internet Service Provider (ISP), network administrator, and the websites you visit can track your activities in this mode as well. Also, if malware lurks on your device, incognito mode won't hide your activities from it. For stronger privacy protection, you can use a VPN or a privacy-focused browser like Tor, although these tools also have limitations that we'll discuss later.
A safes website (HTTPS) means that browsing is secure
Most internet users have learned to trust websites that use HTTPS, which is indicated by a lock symbol in the browser's address bar. It is true that HTTPS encrypts your communication with the website, which prevents prying eyes from reading the data during transport. However, this does not guarantee that the site itself is secure.
HTTPS only ensures secure transmission data, but does not guarantee the integrity of the site's content. Cybercriminals can also use HTTPS on their malicious sites, tricking visitors into thinking those sites are safe. Always make sure that the website you are visiting is genuine and trustworthy, regardless of whether it uses HTTPS.
Downloading files is the only way to get malware
Many people think they can only get malware by downloading and running suspicious files. While this is one way to infect someone, it is not the only way. Drive-by downloads and malicious ads can infect your computer without requiring you to download and run a file manually.
You can also get infected just by visiting an infected website, even without clicking on anything. Always keep your browser and its plugins updated to the latest version to protect yourself from known vulnerabilities and consider using a reliable ad blocker to minimize risks.
All browser extensions are safe
While browser extensions can add useful features to your browser, not all extensions are safe. Some extensions may contain malicious code, while others may track your browsing activities for marketing purposes. Even extensions that were initially safe can become harmful if purchased and reused by less conscientious developers. That's why we've called browser extensions a privacy nightmare, and you'll often see news stories about popular extensions hiding malware.
So always be careful about the extensions you install. Only install extensions from trusted developers and check the permissions an extension requests during installation. A weather extension, for example, shouldn't need access to your entire browsing history – and you might want to think about whether you need a weather extension in the first place.
Using a VPN makes your browsing completely safe
VPNs are a great tool for privacy and security, but they're not a silver bullet. A VPN encrypts your internet traffic and hides your IP address, making it harder for others to track your online activities. However, it does not make your browsing completely safe.
The websites you visit, and any malware on your device, can still potentially track your activities. Additionally, the VPN provider itself can see your web traffic unless they have a strict no-logging policy. And it's important to set up your VPN properly and avoid common mistakes.
So while a VPN is a good tool for online privacy, it should be used in conjunction with other security measures, such as safe browsing practices, up-to-date software, and strong, unique passwords for each of your online accounts. .
