We use web browsers to access websites, social networking sites,banking sites, ecommerce sites,etc. We are also searching about a 1000 things using different search engines with out bothering about someone is prying on you ! Yes, you heard it right ! Your searching history, your webpage visits, your social networking visits, your location, your interest, your needs, all are under watching. Hundreds of companies offering online advertisements need your taste to show related advertisements, advertisements near to your locality and so on. But we are not aware of this fact and we are paying less attention to this. You can experience this, by do some search for something, like external hard disk or mobiles or for some other things. Then visit some webpages, you can suddenly noticed a list of advertisements showing the stuff you are searched for with huge discounts or with attractive offers. How it possible, simply by analysing your searching, and browsing habits. You have restrict unwanted watching from prying eyes using some tricks. If you are an experienced user, you may aware of ‘Private Browsing’ feature of popular web browsers. Different web browsers have their own incognito mode. In this mode browser won’t save your search and browsing history. Ok! But their several stuff available for you to stay anonymous and protect your online privacy.
In Chrome browser, Incognito mode opens a new window, you can browse the Internet in private without saving your site visit activity. But remember, it won’t stop other sources from seeing what sites you’ve visited, like your Internet service provider, your employer (if you’re using a office computer) and the websites you visit !
To access incognito mode in Google Chrome browser, Open Chrome, go to top right corner of the browser, click customize and control (the three dots), in the popup menu click ‘New Incognito Window’. A new black window will open. In the top corner, check for the grey Incognito icon to ensure you are in Incognito mode. You can also use a keyboard shortcut to open an Incognito window. In Windows, Linux, or Chrome OS: Press Ctrl + Shift + n. In Mac: Press ? + Shift + n.
Similarly Firefox also remembers lots of information for you like the sites you’ve visited, etc. To stop this you can use ‘Private Browsing’, which allows you to browse the Internet without saving any information about the sites and pages you’ve visited. The tracking Protection in Private Browsing prevents companies from tracking your browsing history across multiple sites. To go to Private browsing in Firefox, Click the open menu button on the top right corner (the three lines). Then click ‘New Private Window’ in the popup menu. You can also do it from a link in a webpage, for that, Right-click on any link and choose Open Link in New Private Window from the context menu. The link will open in private window.
IS Private Browsing give 100% privacy? No. It only give privacy in few things like, Visited pages (No pages will be added to the History menu, the Library window’s history list, or the Awesome Bar address list). It doesn’t save form filling and Search Bar entries (No autocomplete feature, nothing you entered into boxes on web pages or the Search bar will not be saved), another thing is Passwords (passwords will be not be saved). Files you downloaded will not be listed in the Downloads Window. No Cookies (Cookies store information about websites you visit, site preferences, login status, and data used by plugins like Adobe Flash).
1. Epic Browser – The Best Private Browser
You’re tracked by search engines, by your ISP and hundreds of data collectors while in incognito or other private browsing modes. Your browsing history is easily accessible (via your DNS cache) upon incognito window close. In Epic browser private browsing is always-on because they don’t believe in a private browsing “mode”. Epic browser is based on Chromium platform, epic automatically loads search engines via its built-in proxy because search engines track you by your IP address. Epic protects your searches from being saved and tracked. It also has a one click encrypted proxy protection. Click the red open socket icon to turn on Epic’s built-in encrypted proxy. This hides your IP address (with a U.S -based IP) and encrypts all your data when you want to be very private.Use the download arrow button at the top right of Epic to download videos and audio from hundreds of websites including YouTube, Vimeo, Soundcloud, Facebook and many others. For some sites such as YouTube, Epic creates a download button in the webpage itself.
2. Cocoon – The all rounder
Cocoon browser eliminates viruses, protecting your privacy and keeping your browsing all in one place. Cocoon uses patent pending advanced isolation technology to protect your computer from malware by keeping it away from your hard drive. It use anti virus scanning to scan for viruses before they even reach your computer. Cocoon make you anonymous by storing all of your data in the cloud. It’s like a one-way mirror -you can see out but others can’t see in. With Cocoon you might see ads but don’t worry, the cookies hit their servers and never your hard drive. A better idea! When you log into Cocoon everything you do is encrypted. Your browsing history, personal information, passwords used on another Websites, are all protected, and you’re the only one with the key. Cocoon’s encryption even protects you from hackers at open WiFi access points. Cocoon also offers proxy service that runs seamlessly with their browser or plugin. Every site you visit gets run through their secure servers first. No information is revealed about you, your IP address, your Internet service provider, or your geographic location. Websites only “see” Cocoon servers, not your computer !
3. Comodo Browser
It is also a Chromium technology based Web Browser which offers all Chrome’s features PLUS additional level of security and privacy. It has Domain Validation technology that identifies and segregates superior SSL certificates from inferior ones. This browser also stops cookies and other Web spies. The browser also prevents all Browser download tracking to ensure your privacy.
4. Maxthon –Rich with features
Maxthon is browser with more features. It has a smart password manager. It can generate, autofill and save passwords and private information for you. The browser offers AES256 and extra verification technology for utmost security.You can sync all passwords and private information across all devices, for free. Unlimited virtual inboxes feature provide the anonymity you need. Safeguard your inbox from spam, junk and ads. Customize your virtual email addresses to be unique. Maxnote feature helps you to read, edit and organize what you collect, anytime, anywhere, on any device.
5. Tor
Tor uses a different approach. The Tor protects you by bouncing your communications around a distributed network of relays run by volunteers all around the world, it prevents somebody watching your Internet connection from learning what sites you visit, it prevents the sites you visit from learning your physical location, and it lets you access sites which are blocked.
https://www.torproject.org/projects/torbrowser.html.en
6. Avira Scout browser
Now a web browser from an antivirus maker. Scout is built with security and privacy as a central focus. Their technology, directly integrated into the browser, automatically blocks infected and phishing websites. Avira Scout integrates a no track functionality, which blocks companies such as Facebook and Twitter from monitoring what you visit, download and shop for.The browser also claims that it does not collect data.
https://www.avira.com/en/avira-scout
What you think about these browsers. Some search engines and social networking sites track your surfing your searches, shopping and your activity for showing relevant advertisement. What is your opinion about such activity. Did you use any private browser? If yes please share…
