Ads and malicious content in a web browser can be not only annoying but also dangerous for users. They can invade privacy by tracking activities, slow down computer performance, and even infect it with malicious software.
Therefore, it’s important to know how to protect yourself from them. Here are a few ways to enhance the security and comfort of internet browsing:
- Install an ad-blocking extension: This is one of the simplest and most effective ways to get rid of most ads and unwanted content on websites. Extensions like uBlock Origin or AdBlock Plus remove unwanted elements from sites, reducing the risk of clicking on suspicious links or downloading malicious files. Additionally, by blocking ads, you save data transfer and speed up page loading. These filters also provide the option to add your own lists of malicious sites. One such list is published by CERT Polska (https://cert.pl/lista-ostrzezen/), which is continuously updated to protect against recently emerged threats. In the “Dostępne formaty listy” section on the CERT website, you can find a link to a file that you can use in the uBlock Origin plugin: https://hole.cert.pl/domains/v2/domains_adblock.txt.
To install such a blocker, go to the browser settings, choose Extensions, search for a blocker like uBlock Origin, and install it. After installation, in the extension options, you can add your list of malicious sites, such as the one linked above from CERT Polska.
Additional browser extensions worth installing can be found here: https://www.privacytools.io/privacy-browser-addons.
- Use a secure browser: Not all web browsers provide good privacy and security. Some may track your activity or collect personal data. Therefore, it’s advisable to choose a browser that prioritizes your interests over advertisers’ profits. Examples of such browsers include Firefox, Brave, or Tor Browser. These browsers offer various features to protect your privacy and security, such as tracking prevention, encrypted connections, or traffic anonymization.
A list of secure browsers can be found here: https://www.privacytools.io/private-browser.
- Adjust browser settings: Even if you use a secure browser, you can further improve its performance by changing some settings. For example, you can disable Java and Flash script support, which can be exploited to display ads or run malicious code. You can also enable private browsing mode, which prevents saving browsing history, cookies, and other data. Moreover, you can use the “do not track” option, signaling websites that you do not want to be tracked by advertisers.
- Disable browser notifications: Browser notifications are mainly used to display information about new messages or news. However, many malicious sites misuse them to display messages in the lower right corner, claiming that your computer is infected or has security vulnerabilities. They often offer help by scanning your device. Clicking on these notifications may redirect you to a site prompting you to download “magic software” to save you from infection. In reality, it will be malicious software infecting your system and transmitting your data to the attacker.
Take care of yourselves! 😊