Security Browser Extensions to Keep Your Internet Activity Safer and More Private

If you’re reading this article, you use the internet at least a little bit. And if you use the internet, you use a web browser to do it. Whether you’re happy with the default Safari on your iPhone, you’re a die-hard Mozilla Firefox fan, or you’re still mourning the demise of Internet Explorer (or Netscape Navigator!), you have to use a browser if you want to get online.

If you’ve spent much time online, you probably also know that the internet is full of risks. But with the power of browser extensions, you can actually turn the very web browser you use to access the internet into a powerful tool for protecting you on the internet. By installing security browser extensions that fir your needs, you can browse safer every day.

What is a Browser Extension?

A browser extension is a tiny bit of software that installs on your browser. It adds additional, custom functionality that doesn’t come with your browser by default. If you think about it, this makes a lot of sense. If a single browser tried to do everything a browser could do, it would run so slowly that it would be practically unusable. And it would be bloated with a ton of features you didn’t need. Extensions allow you to add only the functions you need onto the basic browser.

Some extensions are made by the creator of the browser itself. But most are made by third-party software developers. That means that not all extensions are available for every browser. You may find a great extension that you love on Firefox, for example, but if you want to switch to Microsoft Edge, that same extension may not be available. (In this article, we clarify which security browser extensions are available on which browsers.)

Extensions can do just about anything you can think of. But often they need permissions to do things. Some of those permissions they need – seeing what sites you visit, recording your keystrokes, and more – can sound scary. And in the hands of a malicious extension, it can be dangerous. Most extensions are benign, but there are some that are stealing your data or are just plain malware. That’s why it’s important to choose only trusted extensions, download them from an approved store, and check to make sure you’re getting the real extension and not an imitator. All these steps don’t make browser extensions risk-free, but they do reduce the risk.

How do I Get a Browser Extension?

The specific process for adding browser extensions varies depending on which browser you’re using. But generally it involves opening your browser’s extensions library, searching for the extension, and clicking a button to install it on your browser.

Most browsers’ extensions libraries can be found by clicking the menu (three dots or three lines, usually in the top right corner) and looking for an option that says “Extensions” or “Add-Ons.” Choose the option to visit the browser’s web store or to get more extensions. Then you’ll be able to search, browse, and install all the available options. You can find these extensions by searching for them by name.

Does Your Browser Matter?

There are a huge variety of different web browsers out there. Many people are familiar with the most popular and well-known ones: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Apple Safari. There are also a whole host of less well-known ones, such as Brave, Chromium, Lynx, Opera, Tor, Yandex, and more. Does it really matter which one you use?

Well, that depends on a few factors. One factor is which types of devices you use. Lynx, for example only runs on the Linux operating system, so if you use Windows, Android, or Apple devices, it won’t work. And if you have an iPhone but your desktop is a Windows PC, you may prefer a browser that runs on both so it always looks the same.

But if you’re reading an article about security browser extensions, privacy and security are probably important to you. And if keeping your information secure and private online matter to you, then it matters very much which browser you choose. Some are significantly better than others. Google Chrome is the worst for privacy especially. Google makes its money selling your data, so of course they want to get your data wherever they can.

If you want to stick with a well-known browser, we recommend Firefox. It works on all major operating systems (Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone, and even Linux) and is known for its privacy focus. Plus if you look at the extensions on this list that protect most strongly, many of them are only available for Firefox. Brave and DuckDuckGo are also good lesser-known browsers. Most browsers based on Chromium (such as Microsoft Edge, Chromium, and Opera) also send your data to Google since Chromium is a Google product, so use caution!

Recommended Privacy and Security Browser Extensions

Now that we’ve covered the basics, you’re ready to start selecting the browser extensions you need for better security and privacy online. We’ve broken these down into categories to make it easier to choose.

Ad Blockers

Stop annoying ads, protect yourself from fraudulent or fake ads, and side-step many scams based on web pop-ups with ad blockers. The ad blockers in this category are ones we recommend, but many other ad blocker extensions do just as well. Just make sure that you choose one that doesn’t have an “acceptable ads” program – some have started letting advertisers pay them to not block their ads.

We have multiple recommendations here, but you only need one. Pick the ad blocking extension that best meets your needs and continue on to greater browser security!

uBlock Origin

Works on: Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, Chromium, and Safari releases prior to 13

uBlock Origin is an industry-leading, open-source, cross-platform extension with wide-spectrum ad blocking. That’s a lot of hyphens just to say it’s one of the best and most thorough ad blocking browser extensions you can get. The developers’ goal is to neutralize privacy invasions. Plus it prioritizes CPU and memory efficiency, so it doesn’t slow down your device while it’s protecting you from ads. It’s straightforward, and it’s your best choice.

AdGuard

Works on: Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, Safari

If you’re using a version of Safari that doesn’t support uBlock Origin, consider AdGuard as an alternative. The extension itself is free, but it does have an upgraded version that will let you block ads on your whole device, not just your browser, for a monthly fee. It’s easy to set up, easy to use, and easy to customize. Since it also blocks tracking scripts, websites may load faster. And if it ever misses blocking an ad, you can easily report the oversight so it can fix it.

AdNauseam

Works on: Firefox, Edge, Opera

If you want to get aggressive about your distaste for ads, AdNauseam is your extension. The developers are furious about how advertisements are everywhere online and are tracking you around. They built AdNauseam on uBlock Origin’s ad-blocking power, with one extra feature – in addition to blocking ads, it clicks on every single one. To anyone tracking you, it gives them a huge volume of useless data, which makes it nearly impossible for them to track your interests or sell your information. And for advertisers using a pay-per-click model, it also charges them money. Google Chrome actually banned this browser extension because it interferes so much with their goal of gathering your data and advertising to you. If you want a browser extension with the security protections of an adblocker that also shows your discontent with ad tracking and surveillance, give AdNauseam a try.

Password Manager

This is a trick entry. If you care about security and privacy, you should be using a password manager. And most password managers have their own browser extension you can install on your desktop or laptop browser. Installing it makes your password management even easier. Most of them take just one or two clicks (or less) to auto-fill your password information. Install the extension for whichever password manager you use to help make good password security even more convenient.

Tracking Prevention

Not a big fan of companies, social media networks, or advertisers tracking your activity around the web? Neither are we! Which is why a suite of privacy and security browser extensions would be incomplete without something to keep those trackers away from your online activity. Here are a few of our recommendations to avoid tracking or make your data useless to companies.

Disconnect

Works on: Chrome, Firefox, Safari

Big tech companies and websites, such as Google and Facebook, use browser trackers to identify your online activity, even if you’re not on their website (or even if you don’t have an account!). Disconnect protects you from that. It checks your browser for tracking requests and blocks them all. The browser extension itself is free, but if you decide you like it, the company behind it also offers a suite of other privacy-focused products with various price points and features.

Disconnect for Facebook

Works on: Firefox

Remember that class action lawsuit from 2022 where Facebook was sued for tracking people through any website that displayed a Facebook like button? This plugin is designed to prevent that or anything like it. It blocks all traffic from third-party sites to Facebook servers so Facebook can’t track you around the web. It doesn’t stop you from visiting Facebook or affect your Facebook experience – it just keeps Facebook from tracking you on non-Facebook sites.

Google Container

Works on: Firefox

Google Container’s goal is to keep Google from tracking your other web activity. It does this by opening Google-owned domains you try to visit in a special type of tab called a container tab. On your end, the only difference is the container tab has a stripe of color across the top. On Google’s end, it isolates the rest of your web activity from what you do on Google-owned sites. As far as Google knows, you’ve suddenly stopped browsing anything else, because the container tab stops them from seeing it. However, this does not stop Google from seeing what you do on Google-owned sites.

For even stronger security, consider the browser extension Google Container – with Integrations, which is the same extension but with an even bigger list of Google-owned domains.

Privacy Badger

Works on: Chrome, Firefox (including Firefox’s mobile version), and Opera (Safari for Mac is in progress)

Privacy Badger is a great browser extension for security and privacy because its goal is to block all website trackers, no matter where they come from. It starts by sending Do Not Track signals to websites. But since websites usually ignore that, Privacy Badger pays attention to trackers’ behaviors and learns to block them. It replaces trackers you may want (such as comments widgets, social media embeds, and video players) with a click-to-activate placeholder so you can choose if you want to allow the tracking to use that function. It also removes outgoing link tracking on Facebook and Google. Sometimes it will block ads, but not always – it is primarily a tracker blocker, not an ad blocker.

TrackMeNot

Works on: Firefox

Made by the same people behind AdNauseam, TrackMeNot wants to make your search data useless to companies trying to profit from it. It runs in the background of your browser and runs frequent searches on a wide variety of search engines. None of this affects your browsing experience – there’s no search tab open and nothing will show up in your browsing history. But to companies like Google and Yahoo, it makes your search history nearly useless. Google banned it from Chrome because it interfered with them making money off your search history. TrackMeNot won’t prevent companies from accessing or selling your search history, but it will make it inconvenient, difficult, and time-consuming for them to get anything useful from it.

Online Security

If you’ve read this far, you probably want to browse online more securely. These security-focused browser extensions will help you do just that.

Antivirus

First of all, do you have an antivirus software? If not, you should be thinking about securing your whole device before you think about securing your browser. Here are some good antivirus options. Second, does it have a browser extension? Many antivirus software companies also offer a browser extension to add extra security to your online activities. If yours has one, install it! It will help you be proactive against browser-based threats.

Malwarebytes Browser Guard

Works on: Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari (Mac only)

You don’t have to use Malwarebytes’ antivirus product to install and use their free security browser extension. Browser Guard will block ads and trackers for an additional layer of protection. It also stops websites with malware from loading, keep cryptojackers (malicious cryptocurrency miners) from using your browser, and block the browser lockers, browser hijackers, and malicious popups that tech support scammers like to use. With the state of malware these days, a little extra protection is a good idea.

Netcraft

Works on: Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera

The Netcraft browser extension is here to defend you against cybercrime. It stops you from visiting malicious website and blocks sites that are known to be compromised. It identifies phishing, fake online stores, and fraudulent URLs. And it even stops malicious scripts, such as skimmers (that steal your card info when you shop online) and cryptojackers (malicious cryptocurrenty miners), from setting up shop in your browser. And you can report additional fraudulent websites with just a click of a button.

Cookie Auto-Delete

Works on: Chrome, Firefox, Edge

Cookie Auto-Delete does exactly what the name implies – it automatically deletes cookies to prevent them from lingering. Cookies that aren’t being actively used can slow down your device, expose your personal information, or let a website owner sell your data. With Cookie Auto-Delete installed, closing your browser tab automatically deletes any cookies not being used. For extra security, you can also set it up to clear your cache, local storage, and more. It’s an easy way to manage your cookies without having to remember to manage your cookies.

Which Security Browser Extensions Should I Use?

You probably don’t need to install all thirteen security browser extensions that we list here. In fact, since several of them overlap or duplicate functions, you shouldn’t install all of them! Instead, consider what you need, what functions are important to you, and what functions aren’t. Too many extensions can slow down a browser, so it’s a good idea to be judicious in your choices.

Also consider which extensions are available on the browser you use. If you’re a Safari fan or use one of the lesser-known browsers like Yandex or Pale Moon, you don’t have nearly as many options as a Chrome, Edge, or Firefox user. (And if you’re a Chrome or Edge user and privacy and security are important to you, it may be time to consider a switch to Firefox.)

A good starting set of security browser extensions is your ad blocker of choice, your password manager, and your antivirus software (or Malwarebytes Browser Guard if your antivirus doesn’t have a browser extension). For next level security, pick one or two of the Tracking Prevention options and add Netcraft and Cookie Auto-Delete. If you’re using a good browser, this small number of extensions will go a long way to protect your privacy.

Also be aware that these aren’t the only good browser extensions for security out there. These are a few that we recommend, but if you have a cookie manager, ad blocker, or other extension already that you like and trust, there’s nothing wrong with using that. And if you come across another great security browser extension you want to use (and you’ve checked to confirm it’s legitimate and not malware), go for it! The only wrong choice is completely ignoring your online security.