Browsers For Privacy and Security

[KGIII]

I asked AI which ones I needed and reduced the number of extensions (from around 8 or 10 to 2.)

Extensions can be (and have been) an attack vector for malware. There have been many instances of extensions exfiltrating a user's data. Browsers typicaly run in a sandbox, but it's not unheard of for them to use memory after it was previously used as a path to exploit the system as a whole, albeit less common today.

So, I strongly suggest using only extensions that you trust, from people you trust. Spend some time looking up who wrote the extension, check to see if it's open source, verify that it's from an actual business, and stuff like that. They've been known to even use your bandwidth to relay spam, to do DDoS attacks, or to rent your IP address out for nefarious purposes.

Extensions are great. They make life easier. They make life better. It's not entirely about quantity, but about trustworthiness.

For example, I'll happily use my VPN browser extension. I know where it comes from, and they're a real business that has been independently audited, stood the test of time, and even the extension is open source.

I'll immediately install anything Raymond Hill (gorhill is his username) because he has a huge history of integrity and efficacy.

You know, that sort of stuff...

 

[bob466]

I don't take any notice of AI.

 

[Huxoslos]

Simple, Mullvad browser, avoid touching about:config (unless you know how it can affect privacy, some settings are already locked to prevent this), avoid extensions. Then i would say you have the most private/secure browser.

 

[Huxoslos]

Simple, Mullvad browser, avoid touching about:config (unless you know how it can affect privacy, some settings are already locked to prevent this), avoid extensions. Then i would say you have the most private/secure browser.

I want to correct myself. Ideally you should also use vpn, if you used your normal ip for long time and places have been tracking that with a weak browser you kind of have your ip as fingerprint even if you switch. So vpn will help more if you think of the past and if tracked.
I heard some time ago that using tor for clear net isn't that good, i did not search for more info on this since i don't use tor at all.

 

[Huxoslos]

I installed a user agent switcher on all my browsers except Mullvad. There were so many different ones to choose from but I went with recommended one for Firefox and a featured one for Chromium based browsers just to be safe.

Firefox:View attachment 30748
View attachment 30743
View attachment 30744

Chromium:
View attachment 30746
View attachment 30747

I would advice against spoofing chrome on firefox and other way as parts might still be detected as firefox or chrome. If your browser has spoofed fonts (for windows) and other components you might be fine spoofing os to windows on linux. Probably something you might have too figure out.

Spoofing certain things could create worse fingerprint and more unique to you. Browsers like TOR or Mullvad you are supposed to blend with the rest of its userbase and be the same.

 

[Iamgeese]

with the way the world is going with all the I.D verification crap I am seriously tempted to just write "I like bombs" everywhere I go, just to see what happens and then just to really annoy the hell out of GCHQ I will then draw "Anthro Bombs" just to make it really confusing. Then they will have to look through piles of images of Antro Bombs, thats what they can deal with for being nosey gits.

 

[Condobloke]

perhaps I will open a new thread based on this video from youtube...

But, for the time being, grab a coffee or a beer and settle back for 30 minutes.

 

[beanburrito]

Do you have a better suggestion than Tor?

Nope. They do excellent work. Recommended+++

 

[jawild]

perhaps I will open a new thread based on this video from youtube...

But, for the time being, grab a coffee or a beer and settle back for 30 minutes.

Since I'm a curmudgeon, I find it difficult to trust information from a video featuring an AI generated speaker (especially when it speaks in first person) and AI generated art.

 

[Condobloke]

@jawild,I eventually find trust by studying the comments by members here, and through my own experiences....particularly with browsers.
Common sense plays a huge part. If my instincts tell me that a particular browser (etc etc) is full of bs...it usually is.

All software etc has to pay the bills. There is no such thing as a free lunch.

This is the way of the world.

I always try to keep it simple and choose the best working piece of software for me.

if said piece of software doesnt get in my way, and doesnt behave as badly as google & co, then I will likely keep it....until such time as it behaves badly.

It is an impossible task to find software that constantly behaves. The makers have to put food on the table, and that is done by selling something.

It is a constant game of cat and mouse.

The only way to keep the whole mess out of our lives is to forego using the internet.

So, we make a choice. Convenience usually wins. We are human, after all.

Be positive. Onward & Upward.

For the time being, my choice of browser is Librewolf.