Best Browser Extensions for Privacy

Internet browsers are our key to accessing the Internet. But when choosing an Internet browser, it’s important to consider the level of privacy that the browser will offer you as a user. While not all browsers are created equal, browser extensions can help level the playing field by allowing users to customize their browsers with plugins.

There are so many browser extensions concerned with privacy that it’s easy to set yourself up for a safe and secure browsing experience. In this article, we’ll share some of the best browser extensions for every privacy concern.

How do browser extensions work?

Browser extensions are tiny pieces of software that change a user’s experience on a website or with information from a website. Browser extensions apply filters, block content, and add features all to customize a user’s Internet experience.

To use a web browser extension, the user downloads it onto their browser—either from a third-party software company or from the browser itself—and the extension will start to perform its designated tasks within the browser. They can be used for increased privacy, preventing ad tracking, ad blocking, finding the best online shopping deals, and everything in between.

Different browser extensions offer different levels of privacy.

The extensions suggested below work on almost every major browser, such as Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Apple Safari. However, check with your browser by getting an open tab and going to your browser's home page. You should be able to find out if it can support extensions or not; most browsers do.

Best privacy browser extensions

Whatever privacy concerns you have, there’s a privacy extension that can help. Check out these six great browser extensions for privacy available on Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, and other popular browsers.

Privacy Badger

Privacy Badger is an extension that prevents third-party trackers from collecting information about users and their online activity. According to Privacy Badger’s website, what makes this extension unique is that it learns and recognizes trackers on its own versus working from a pre-established list of hidden trackers. This means that the extension blocks more trackers than other extensions and protect more securely against hidden threats to your personal information and device.

Privacy Badger does not specifically block ads. However, by blocking hidden trackers, the extension subsequently does cut out a lot of unnecessary and unsafe advertisements.

This extension currently works on Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Opera.

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is a well-known virtual private network service, but it also offers the ExpressVPN browser extension for improved privacy when using your browser. It allows you to change your VPN server location, connect and disconnect from the VPN, and apply privacy features such as location spoofing and WebRTC blocking.

This extension currently works on Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Brave, and Vivaldi.

uBlock Origin

uBlock Origin is an ad blocker extension that aims to block ads and video ads, trackers, and pop-ups. It helps to prevent against malware, specifically malware that is hidden in ads. uBlock works to stay current on online advertising formats and techniques. This helps you stay on top of potential pop-ups and ads. By removing ads and pop-ups, uBlock is able to give your computer the fastest possible connection speed.

This extension currently works on Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Opera.

Malwarebytes

The Malwarebytes Browser Guard extension focuses on removing not only advertisements but also scams, which is an impressive feat. It’s the first browser extension to identify and stop tech support scams, according to their website; the extension allows you to browse the web faster with fewer ads and malware incidents.

This extension currently works on Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge.

Ghostery

Ghostery focuses on blocking ads and hidden trackers. The extension also anonymizes data to help keep you and your information even more protected from trackers. These lead to enhanced browsing speeds since your browser isn’t stopped up by invisible trackers or pop-up ads.

Ghostery also features customizable blocking, which lets users view, block, and unblock specific trackers for specific websites. They provide a list of noted trackers that users can review at any point.

This extension currently works on Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Opera, and Safari.

DuckDuckGo Privacy Essentials

Much like the DuckDuckGo browser, the DuckDuckGo browser extension focuses on all-around privacy and anonymity for the user. It forces sites to use encrypted connections when available and helps evade ad trackers, which collect private information. It also keeps your search history private and doesn’t record the data itself, either.

This extension currently works on Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Opera, and Safari.

A chart comparing several privacy-focused browser extensions

How to safely add browser extensions

Although the purpose of browser extensions is to improve your Internet experience, malicious browser extensions will do the opposite. In order to safely add extensions to your browser, make sure you thoroughly research the extension before downloading it. Ensure that the extension, as well as the site you’re downloading it from, is legitimate and safe.

Make sure to follow the extensions’ instructions when downloading them to your browser. To ensure that you download legitimate versions, try to download extensions only from the extensions’ websites or from your browser’s app store, like the Chrome Web Store.