How to Optimize the Privacy Settings in Your Browser

The Internet browser is certainly one of the most-utilized applications in this day of cloud-hosted resources and online content… but for all that use, is it also one of the most-secured applications? In some ways, yes… but there’s always a few extra steps that can help you enhance your protections.

Listed below are the steps that can be taken to help optimize the privacy settings in each of the major browsers.

Optimizing Chrome’s Security

As Murphy’s Law predicts, the world’s most popular browser is generally accepted as the least secure without the implementation of some customizations. These customizations come in the form of downloadable extensions, developed thanks to Chrome’s open-source nature.

With the blessing (and preferably, the assistance) of an IT professional, the Chrome Web Store can be accessed and the right extensions downloaded to help shore up Chrome’s security shortcomings. These extensions can then be removed whenever necessary via the three-dot menu, under More, More Tools, and then Extensions.

If you go to the Privacy and security section, and then to Cookies and other site data, there you’ll find the option to Block third-party cookies.

For business owners, we can enforce all instances of Google Chrome on your network to follow several best practices, such as not storing passwords and other sensitive information. If you would like help, give Macro Systems a call at 703-359-9211.

Optimizing Firefox’s Security

Firefox, on the other hand, has relatively robust security built into the browser. Under Preferences, you can find Privacy & Security. That area will have the options Standard, Strict, and Custom.

• The Standard option, the default, blocks trackers in private browsing, cryptominers, and third-party cookies.
• Strict takes everything included in Standard and blocks trackers and fingerprints.
• Custom allows the user to adjust how these trackers are blocked.

Your settings can be applied to your active tabs by reloading them, with a Reload All Tabs button provided.

Optimizing Edge’s Security

Edge keeps it basic, offering a few options for the user, including tracker blocking on the Tracker prevention screen. In terms of the options that can be found in Edge, security can be set to Basic, Balanced, and Strict.

• Basic blocks the trackers utilized for fingerprinting and cryptomining.
• Balanced, the default setting, blocks trackers from unvisited sites while allowing those that can help speed up browsing.
• Strict blocks the most trackers, potentially interfering with the functionality of some sites.

Optimizing Safari’s Security

Despite a few hiccups in the technology, Safari provides its users a way to identify any ad trackers present on the website, as well as a list of all trackers that have pinged them in the prior 30 days.

Safari also allows you to prevent this kind of tracking by accessing your Preferences and from there, Privacy. Check to make sure that Prevent cross-site tracking is selected, and delete your cookies manually for good measure. Access Manage Website Data, where you can review which websites have left trackers, and remove them individually or all at once.

Safari also has the capability to Block all cookies if you so choose.

Your business’ security is imperative, whether you’re browsing the web or using the solutions it relies on to function. Macro Systems is here to be your resource to help you protect your investments. Give us a call at 703-35-9211 to ask how we can help you keep your business safe.