Web proxy extension
A proxy extension, much like a VPN, sends your traffic through another server. This provides you with a different IP address, which helps mask your location and your identity. They usually don’t provide any form of encryption, but some web proxies do – especially the leading ones.
The main difference between a proxy extension and a VPN is that the extension only secures your browser traffic while a VPN secures all of your traffic. Extensions are generally more lightweight and use lighter encryption protocols that are web-compatible, so the traffic that does travel over your browser will often be secured end-to-end.
NordVPN browser extension
(Available on Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge)
Alongside NordVPN’s software, the NordVPN extension secures your browser connections and protects you from third parties snooping online. It uses TLS encryption to let you browse securely even when you visit websites with unsecured HTTPs or browse on public Wi-Fi.
The NordVPN proxy connects you to one of NordVPN’s servers. Afterward, your device gains its IP address so that your identity and virtual location remain hidden while browsing. The extension allows you to choose from the list of countries and their IP addresses and automatically assigns you the best server at that time.
You can also choose which websites can see your virtual location and which should see the VPN server’s IP. This feature is called split tunneling, and it allows you to enjoy the browser extension’s functionality without switching it on and off if you want to use your actual location for specific apps.
NordVPN browser extension is a lightweight, fast, and easy-to-configure solution for your safe browsing experience. It’s one of the features of the NordVPN suite, available once you become a subscriber.
Threat Protection
Threat Protection is an additional NordVPN security feature that blocks intrusive ads and malicious websites during your browsing sessions. It is available on Android and iOS mobile devices, Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems, and Chrome, Firefox, and Edge browsers.
Ad blockers and script blockers
Ad blockers block annoying ads and disable third-party scripts and widgets that can extract your data and send it anywhere (for example, hackers).
Ads can also be used to direct you to malicious sites. Once you click on the wrong ad, a hacker can launch a number of different malicious attacks.
Script blockers are slightly different and will only disable JavaScript, a so-called “backbone” of almost every website and app you will ever use. Unfortunately, these scripts can sometimes be abused by hackers to prey on unsuspecting users.
AdBlock Plus
(Available on Android, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Maxthon, Opera, and Safari)
AdBlock Plus is by far the most popular extension on this list. Its main benefit is that it’s easy to use and reasonably powerful. AdBlock Plus blocks pop-ups, rollover ads, banner ads, and known malware-hosting domains. In addition, it stops third-party cookies and scripts that can expose your data and result in “cookie theft.”
Unfortunately, ad blockers do tend to interfere with the way some websites work. They can break your favorite sites, and they can impact businesses that depend on online advertising. This is why ad blockers will often ask you whether you wish to see “Acceptable ads” or whether you want to block them.
uBlock Origin
(Available on Safari, Google Chrome, Chromium, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, and Opera)
Another popular adblocker is the open-source uBlock Origin, which has become the new go-to for many online surfers. It takes up less space and, therefore, runs faster than other plug-ins, automatically blocking all ads. With uBlock, you will have more control over the ads you want to see and will be able to create personalized lists of exceptions.
No Script or Script Safe
(No Script is available on Mozilla Firefox, and Script Safe is available on Google Chrome)
No Script and Script Safe are two plugins that do the same job – disable Java, JavaScript, and Flash. As almost all websites run some form of JavaScript, these extensions are here to disrupt them. That includes extremely popular sites such as Facebook, Youtube, and Netflix.
These are powerful extensions, but they require a lot more manual configuration which might not be perfect for beginners. No Script and Script Safe block scripts on all websites by default and only then allow you to add your trusted sites to their whitelist.
Anti-trackers
Anti-trackers are browser extensions that protect you from malvertising (malicious advertising) and, as the name suggests, tracking. They block cookies, prevent sites from loading infected content, and detect trackers and their sources.
Disconnect
(Available on Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, and Opera)
One of the most popular anti-tracking browser extensions is Disconnect, which aims to protect you from malware, tracking, malvertising, and even offers you secure Wi-Fi and bandwidth optimization.
Disconnect also blocks tracking by the big players like Google, Facebook, Amazon, and Twitter, especially when they try to collect your browsing data off-site. The plugin is easy to use and lets you control all site scripts from the toolbar menu.
Privacy Badger
(Available on Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Opera, and Firefox for Android)
Privacy Badger was developed by the Electronic Frontier Foundation, an organization well-known for fighting for online privacy and other digital freedoms. It’s a little different from other privacy browsing plugins because it doesn’t come with a list of cookies and trackers to disable.
Instead, it has a heuristic algorithm that learns from your behavior the more you use it, letting your browsing habits determine what Privacy Badger should be blocking. This alone makes it the preferred extension for a lot of users (besides the fact that it’s an EFF program). The ability to block third-party trackers is just the cherry on top.
Other useful extensions
While the five aforementioned browsing extensions can help to improve your security online, you should also consider using additional plugins. It may offer a more well-rounded and private browsing experience.
HTTPS Everywhere
(Available on Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Opera, Brave, and Firefox for Android)
HTTPS Everywhere will keep you safe by directing you to more secure SSL versions of your favorite sites. It’s an effortless and simple way to protect your browsing and keep it more secure. It will do a world of good without you needing to lift a finger.
NordPass
(Available on Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Opera, and Brave)
One of the easiest ways for hackers to access our private information is to crack our passwords. The problem is that most people make the mistake of using the same password for all their accounts. This makes the hacker’s job very easy. However, NordPass lets you store all of your passwords and digital records (such as insurance numbers and Wi-Fi passwords) in one encrypted place. If you want to, it’ll even generate long randomized passwords.
DuckDuckGo browser extension
(Available on Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Opera and Safari)
DuckDuckGo’s most notable product is their search engine, which is an anonymized and privacy-oriented alternative to Google. However, they also produce a great privacy browser extension that rolls a number of valuable tools into one plugin. This toolbox includes a tracker blocker that tracks which advertising and data networks you’ve blocked, a tool that forces sites to use HTTPS (whenever possible), and grades participating sites’ privacy policies.
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