Protect your data: best practices for secure browsing in 2025
Online, your own data is exposed.
From malicious websites to obnoxious trackers and phishing schemes, your online browsing could put more information about you out there than you ever meant to reveal. In 2025, safe browsing won’t be an option — it will be required. These are the best practices that will help you safe surf the net safely, while also staying efficient in a distracted digital world, keeping your info under wraps.
1. Use a Privacy-Focused Browser
Not all browsers are created equal. Use browsers that respect your privacy by default:
- Brave stops tracking, ads, and fingerprinting.
- Firefox (with better privacy settings): Open-source and very tweakable.
- Tor Browser makes your web traffic travel through several nodes to stay anonymous.
2. Enable HTTPS Everywhere
Use encrypted websites everywhere. Look for “https:” in the URL, or install the HTTPS Everywhere extension to demand encrypted connections whenever possible.
3. Update Your Browser and Extensions
Outdated software is vulnerable to being taken advantage of. Enable automatic updates for your browser and security extensions so that you will always have the most up-to-date security.
4. Install Privacy Extensions that are Trusted
Protect your data from third-party trackers and malicious ads:
- uBlock Origin: Successfully blocks ads and trackers.
- Privacy Badger: Learns to identify and block hidden trackers.
- Cookie AutoDelete: Deletes cookies from websites that you no longer visit automatically.
5. Don’t Click on Fishy Links
Phishing attacks are becoming more and more sophisticated. Always verify URLs before clicking, and beware of links in emails or messages, particularly from unfamiliar senders.
6. Utilize a VPN When Surfing on Public Networks
Public Wi-Fi networks are hackers’ favorite hunting grounds. A VPN encrypts your online traffic and hides your IP address, so it is safer to surf in cafes, airports, or hotels. Find out more in The Ultimate Guide to VPNs.
7. Clear Cookies and Site Data Periodically
Cookies can monitor your activity on the web. To avoid tracking, clear them every now and then from your browser settings or use private/incognito mode.
8. Refrain from Logging into Sensitive Accounts on Shared Devices
Never log in to your bank account, email, or other sensitive services using shared computers since shared devices could have keyloggers or spyware installed.
9. Utilize Search Engines That Care about Your Privacy
Popular search engines such as Google follow your searches. Alternatives include:
- DuckDuckGo (No Tracking)
- Startpage (Google results, but private)
- Brave Search (Independent and privacy-friendly)
10. Turn on Do Not Track Feature in Your Browser
Although not all sites respect this, activating “Do Not Track” sends a message to sites requesting minimal data gathering.
Additional Tips for Maximum Security
- Log out of accounts when they are not being used.
- Utilize multi-factor authentication whenever available.
- Back up your browser settings and passwords securely.
Final Thoughts
Safe browsing in 2025 is all about being aware, using the right tools, and a few good habits. Adopting these best practices will keep the risk of becoming an online victim to a minimum and ensure that your personal information stays out of the unwanted reach of hackers.
Privacy is your right. Make it your habit by following 10 essential privacy tips everyone should know in 2025 to protect your digital life.
