privacy

Best Browsers for Privacy: My Personal Choices to Protect Yourself from Tracking and Hacking

Hazem Abbas

Dec 14, 2024 — 5 min read

Table of Content

In my journey with the Internet and my use of many browsers, protecting privacy and getting rid of annoying ads has become a priority for me.

After long experiences, here are the browsers that I consider the best for protecting your data and privacy, with my personal experience with each one.

Brave: Fast, efficient, and designed for your comfort

Since I started using Brave, I have noticed a big difference in my daily browsing. The browser is built on the Chromium kernel, so it is similar to Google Chrome but with a magical touch of privacy. All those annoying ads and tracking tools? They simply disappeared!

My experience with Brave on my Android device was great; pages load incredibly quickly, and I felt like I was browsing freely without feeling like someone was spying on me.

It is said to be three to four times faster than Chrome, and honestly, I believe it.

On Linux, I didn’t feel the same lightning-fast speed, but the security and privacy features were enough to keep me going.

Brave isn’t affiliated with any major security company, but it outperforms many other browsers that offer paid protection.

Why I love it?

Automatically blocks ads.
Stops any attempts to track your data.
Smooth and fast browsing (especially on mobile).

Comodo Dragon and Virtual Comodo Dragon: Security in a Fortified Environment

When I needed a browser that provided an extra layer of security to protect my device from malware, I turned to Comodo Dragon and Virtual Comodo Dragon from Comodo, a security company. Both browsers are built on Chromium, so the transition from Chrome was easy for me.

Comodo Dragon: I use it when I want extra encryption and instant protection.
Virtual Comodo Dragon: This is the advanced security option! It works in a completely virtual environment, meaning that if I am attacked or download a suspicious program, everything remains confined inside the "sandbox" without harming my device.

My experience with it was great when I was testing suspicious sites or opening unsecured links. I was assured that my device was completely protected.

Why do I rely on it?

Protect the device from any potential attack.
Works in a completely isolated environment (ideal for testing).
A browser option based on Firefox for those who prefer it, called Comodo Icedragon.

Tor: When Privacy Is a Matter of Life or Death

If you care about privacy to the extreme, Tor is your true friend. My experience with Tor was like entering a world of multi-layered protection.

Tor was initially developed to protect government communications, but now it is a free tool that helps anyone hide from tracking and surveillance.

I’ve heard a lot of rumors that Tor is only used for browsing the dark web, but the truth is quite different. I use Tor to browse the regular internet away from the eyes of governments, advertising companies, and ISPs.

The study that says 93% of Tor users browse the regular internet is absolutely true in my opinion. I use it when I need maximum privacy or when I want to access blocked sites in my country or while traveling.

Why do I consider it necessary?

It completely hides my identity while browsing.
It allows me to bypass censorship with ease.
It protects my data from government spying and tracking.

Combining Tor and VPN: Your Perfect Digital Shield

In some cases, I combine Tor and VPN for maximum security. Tor provides me with anonymity, while VPN adds an extra layer of encryption. It is true that this slows down my browsing a bit, but it is worth it when privacy is a top priority.

Personal Notes and Warnings

Don’t be fooled into thinking you’re 100% untraceable. Using Brave, Comodo, or Tor increases your level of security and privacy, but there is no absolute protection. Authorities or specialized agencies can track illegal activity if they want, but for me, these browsers provide me with the peace of mind I need in my daily life.

Ultimately, choosing the right browser is part of protecting yourself in this digital world full of threats. Whether you’re looking for speed, malware protection, or anonymity, there’s a browser for you.