Is Google Chrome Safer Than Safari? (Compared)

Google Chrome and Safari are two of the most used browsers, especially for Mac users.

Safari comes pre-loaded with every Apple computer, while Google Chrome is an alternate choice for many, especially with almost everyone having a Google account.

One concern regarding these browsers is security, especially with transactions now done over the web.

Can Google Chrome be a viable replacement for Safari when it comes to security?

Here’s If Google Chrome Is Safer Than Safari: 

Google Chrome does not offer any additional security over Safari. The reason for this is that both browsers are based on WebKit. The main difference between these browsers is how they handle HTML5 and CSS3 features, but security-wise they are all the same.

Chrome and Safari are relatively secure web browsers and have settings and features that give you layers of security. The level of protection varies between the two browsers, which are primary considerations when choosing between the two.  

How Do Chrome And Safari Compare For Security?

Chrome and Safari approach cybersecurity differently and have their respective strengths and weaknesses. For one, they look at users differently, which draws the line on what kind of security you can expect from these browsers. Their respective business models define the type of security of their browsers.

Google gets its revenue from advertising. While you can adjust privacy settings, Google still uses your data to push content from its advertisers. However, Chrome has strong phishing and malware protection, making security updates every week.

Safari, meanwhile, introduces more stringent privacy policies with the newer operating systems. However, updates are not as frequent compared in Chrome.

It also introduces Intelligent Tracking Prevention 2 to prevent websites from tracking your web activity and tries to stop websites from identifying you from previous visits.

To give you an idea of how extensive the blocking is, you can check the privacy report on the Safari toolbar, which lists what websites have tried tracking you, including the trackers they used.

We have more here on how safe it is to download Google Chrome.

Is Chrome Or Safari Better For Online Banking?

Chrome and Safari are relatively safe for online banking. Both browsers conduct security checks before they let you proceed to their portals.

If a site is not secure, these browsers will alert you and provide you with the necessary steps to proceed.

Does It Matter Which Browser I Use?

The browser you use matters to a certain degree.

Your browser should have security features that let you limit the data you share. It must also be fast to prevent a possible breach in data.

While there are plenty of browsers in the market, you need to consider the security features. And between Chrome and Safari are relatively robust when it comes to security, but your mileage still varies.

As mentioned earlier, Chrome tends to use your data to push content from advertisers.

Are Chrome And Safari Safer In Incognito Mode? 

People think that incognito mode makes browsing safe. While there is some truth to that, the fact is that incognito mode isn’t 100 percent safe, as there are vulnerabilities behind it.

Incognito mode still allows your Internet service provider to see what you are browsing. Even your network administrator will know what you are browsing.

Incognito mode does not save any browsing history, cookies, site data, or any information you fill up on online forms. Files you download, and bookmarks in Incognito mode are retained, and hackers can still find your IP address.

When is Incognito mode best used? 

While Incognito mode may have some weaknesses, there are still practical applications for it. Using Incognito mode, you can prevent unnecessary content from being delivered to your browsers.

Here are some ideal uses for Incognito mode:

Using multiple email accounts 

While Google Mail allows for multiple sign-ins, that can sometimes confuse. Having an incognito window prevents mix-ups and is helpful if you need to sign in to your email from another computer.  

You can use incognito mode for your personal email and the normal browser window for your work email.

Buying items online

Your Internet service provider can use your online shopping activities to push more content from these websites to your browser.

You can expect more advertisements from these selling platforms. If you made a purchase before, you might remember more ads appearing from these sites, which brings us to the point of using incognito browsers.

With incognito browsing, you always get a clean slate, as if your browser was newly installed. You won’t get any ads pushed, and nothing is stored for advertisers to lift from.

Now, if you’re trying to buy a gift for someone, using incognito is perfect for hiding your surprises if they borrow your computer. Incognito browsing helps you pull off the perfect surprise for your loved ones!

Prevents auto-fill suggestions 

Incognito browsing also prevents auto-fill suggestions on your browser.

If you don’t want people to know what you’ve been searching for, anonymous browsing helps eliminate that.

And by removing these auto-fill suggestions, you can easily keep track of more essential searches.

Buying tickets for travel 

There are instances of travel agencies keeping track of your visits and what you search for.

As a tactic to entice you to book, they would increase the cost, which will make you think that you should book your ticket the soonest time before prices rise further with the demand.

With incognito mode, these companies won’t know that you’ve visited them before, which won’t cause any price alterations triggered by algorithms that track your visits. You can enjoy lower prices that way too.

And take note, this practice of price alteration based on your web visits doesn’t just happen in the travel industry. Other e-commerce sites do this too.

Get more content suggestions. 

If you like binge-watching shows on your computer and want to explore more video content suggestions, you can use incognito browsing.

Video content suggestions are based on what you have been viewing recently. With incognito mode, these video platforms, particularly YouTube, won’t have an idea of your viewing history, giving you video suggestions that are not based on previous content.

You can do the same also for Google searches.

Do Chrome And Safari Collect Your Data? 

Chrome and Safari collect data, but the kind of data they collect varies.

Safari collects data but does not link your browsing history, usage, and users’ locations. Chrome, meanwhile, collects these data, aside from device and user data related to demographics.

Do Chrome And Safari Access Your Camera And Microphone? 

Chrome and Safari have access to your camera, which you can opt to deny access.

Some websites need access to your camera for you to use some features. These sites often provide communication services across the web. Examples of these websites include Facebook (for Messenger video calls), Streamyard, and Zoom.

Now, if you’re in doubt over the request to access the microphone, don’t give access to these sites or your browser.

Do Chrome and Safari access your location? 

Like your camera and microphone, Chrome and Safari may access your location to use the services of some websites. These are often associated with businesses needing your location to link you to the nearest place of their stores.

By letting the browser access your location, these sites can cater to your locality and provide a more customized experience.

Now, it’s not you should provide access to your location all the time.

If you are already getting what you need without letting access to your location, there’s no need to turn it on. At the same time, if you think something is suspicious when asked for your location, don’t give your browser access to your pin.

What Is The Most Secure Browser? 

If you are concerned about privacy and want to shift from Chrome or Safari, you can consider Mozilla Firefox or Brave Browser.

Mozilla Firefox 

Mozilla Firefox is one of the more popular browsers that has served as the alternative for many to the default browsers found pre-installed on many computers.

It boasts of Enhanced Tracking Protection to keep your information safe through browser data storage. Privacy is easily customizable, wherein you can blacklist or whitelist specific websites.

If you’re on mobile most of the time, you can also opt for Firefox Focus, which has ad trackers and an ad-blocker.

Brave Browser 

If you like Google Chrome’s functionality without data collection, you should consider the Brave browser.

Brave is Chromium-based, which features ad-blocking and ad-trackers, and is also available for desktop and mobile users. Its default search engine is also privacy-focused and is made possible through Tailcat, which Brave purchased.

While Brave is based on Chrome, the developers took the time to improve user privacy through the codes it omitted from the source code. On top of that, Brave has also put privacy settings that include ad-tracking blockers, cookie and fingerprinting blocking, and upgrading of HTTPS connections.

Read our blog about will uninstalling Chrome remove malware?

Can A VPN Make My Browser More Secure? 

A virtual private network (VPN) can disguise where your computer or smartphone is whenever you use online services and encrypts your information from any entity that can track your activity, including your Internet service provider.

But all the things you managed to hide, your VPN knows. What you hid from your service provider is actually in the hands of your VPN.

Now, not all VPN providers engage in such activities. But like any other service, it helps if you research the VPN you plan to use, including any user feedback. From here, you can make an informed decision.

One thing you should be wary about when looking up VPNs is the price. While there are good cheap ones, you should be cautious about them as there may be too good to be true features. If there are any red flags regarding the features and the price, then it is likely to have some security issue within it.

What Are The Benefits Of A VPN? 

While there are flaws with some VPNs, you can get a good VPN subscription to help you stay protected online with due diligence.

Now, there are benefits as to why you should use a VPN. Here are the top reasons to consider using it.

Adds a layer of protection when using public Wi-Fi 

While public Wi-Fi provides convenience, there’s also a risk in security here. A VPN can add a layer of protection from people trying to intercept your data.

You would not want anyone swiping your bank credentials or other sensitive information, hence the need to protect a secure connection.

Provides data privacy from your Internet Service Provider 

Even at home, you are not immune from possible swiping of your data. Your Internet service provider can see your Internet activity, even when using the incognito mode.

It can use whatever information it gathers from you and sell it to advertisers, who can then push ads to your devices.

Using a VPN can mask your connection so that your service provider cannot gather any data from you for selling.

Data protection from apps 

VPNs protect your information while browsing, but it also covers your activity when using apps that connect to the Internet.

Some people have observed how many apps that people use nowadays, including the Facebook app, have red flags regarding data usage. As these allegations are still debatable, it’s better to be on the safe side.

Having a VPN will stop apps from linking your viewing preference with your device’s IP address. It will also prevent unnecessary access to your location and browsing history.

Access geographically-restricted content 

If you’re looking to watch new content on your streaming platforms, using a VPN will allow you to access content that’s not available in your current location.

If you’re in a different country and looking to continue where you left off before your flight, a VPN can help you finish that series.

Not all platforms allow this practice and can get you banned for using a VPN when detected. It’s best to review the terms and conditions of these streaming services before using that VPN.

Added security for working outside 

Sometimes working remotely can’t be avoided, and having a VPN can help you keep any sensitive information inaccessible or hard to crack. It’s like bringing your network’s security protocol with you for peace of mind.

Sources

• Forbes: 9 Reasons Why Everyone Should Use A VPN. Yes, Even Non-Techies.
• CNET: A VPN can protect your online privacy. But there’s a catch
• USA Today: 6 practical reasons to use incognito mode in your browser
• Set App: Safari vs Chrome: The best browser in 2022