Every time you open your internet browser (whether it’s Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge) you’re leaving little digital breadcrumbs behind. Those breadcrumbs tell companies what you search for, what websites you visit, how long you stay there, and sometimes even your location.
If that sounds creepy, you are not wrong!
There are tools that make it easier to browse online privately without needing to become a tech expert. Here we’ll discuss some of them: privacy-enhancing browsers, ad-blocking software and Virtual Private Networks (VPNs).
Browsers and Search Engines: Pick the Right Door to the Internet
Most people use browsers like Chrome or Safari because they come pre-installed on devices. But these browsers often track what you do online. If you want a browser that gives you more control over your privacy, try Mozilla Firefox or Brave. They’re free, work just like the other browsers, and don’t spy on you as much.
For search engines, try switching from Google to Brave, Firefox, Startpage, or DuckDuckGo. These search engines don’t keep a history of what you search for.
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Stop the Trackers: Anti-Tracking Software
Every time you visit a website, “trackers” can start following you around the internet. These trackers watch what you click, what you search, and even how long you stay on a page.
And like a private detective, these trackers build a profile on you. This profile is used to target ads towards you or the profile is sold to other companies.
Anti-tracking tools block those trackers from spying on you. Here are a few good ones:
| Ghostery blocks more than 1,800 tracking tools and shows you which sites are watching. | |
 | AdBlock Plus blocks pop-ups and ads. |
/images/2023/02/10/logo-ublock-origin.png){kind=logo} | uBlock is a free, open-source ad content blocker. Here is a blog post and video explaining how to install uBlock. |
What’s a VPN, and Do You Need One?
A VPN, or “Virtual Private Network”, is a tool that hides what you do online from your internet provider, your school, your job, or anyone trying to spy on you—especially when you’re using public Wi-Fi!
But not all VPNs are safe. Some track your activity and sell your data to advertisers, which completely defeats the purpose of using a VPN for privacy. That’s why it’s important to choose a VPN you can trust.
Safer choices include:
| Mullvad is often called the best VPN for privacy. Mullvad doesn’t record what websites you visit, when you connect, or how long you stay online. You don’t need to give your name, email, or any personal info. When you sign up, Mullvad gives you a random account number. You can even pay in cash by mailing Mullvad money in an envelope. That’s how serious Mullvad is about privacy. | |
 | ProtonVPN |
| NordVPN | |
 | ExpressVPN |
 | IPVanish |
Want Even More Privacy? Try the Tor Browser
The Tor Browser is for people who want serious privacy. Tor hides your location, blocks trackers, and keeps your internet activity private. But there are trade-offs:
- Tor is slower than normal browsers.
- It can draw attention from government agencies, since they watch Tor traffic more closely.
- Some websites won’t work properly on Tor.
Just a heads up, if you live in a small town and are the only one using Tor, your online activity might stand out.
What’s the difference between VPN and Tor?
This gets a bit more technical, and it is not very necessary to understand if you plan on using a VPN and/or Tor. But if you’re curious, read on!
A VPN creates a secure tunnel between your device and the internet. It hides your IP address (this is a number which identifies where you are, similar to a mailing address) and hides what you do online from your internet provider, workplace, school, etc. However, your VPN provider may keep a log of everything you do online, which is why it is so important to choose a trustworthy and privacy protecting VPN. For example, the ones identified above: Mullvad, ProtonVPN, NordVPN, etc. A VPN is good for everyday privacy, including using public Wi-Fi or online streaming.
Tor Browser sends your internet traffic through multiple random computers (called “nodes”) before it reaches its final destination. This makes it very hard to trace anything back to you, even for governments or tech companies. This makes Tor Browser very good for maximum anonymity and high-risk situations (activism, journalism, sensitive research).
So What’s the Bottom Line When It Comes to Browsers, Trackers, VPN, and Tor?
(1) There are browsers/search engines that do a better job protecting your digital privacy than Google.
(2) Use anti-tracking add-ons for extra protection online.
(3) A VPN and Tor are your best bets to hide your online activities.
HERE is a video about the privacy of browsers.
—- Published January 2026 —-