---
description: How to pawtect (fine.. protect) your browser
---

# Pawtech the browser

![](https://2215470000-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LMA_kV7gMeMHGE2fjOJ%2F-LMA_xy6WPTss1asaS_j%2F-LMAd0IlWBAbGzh42dVb%2FHypuuurLynx.gif?alt=media\&token=7a773596-9542-46f5-a1ff-020806c884ef)

Chrome. Safari. Firefox. Explorer.

First, test how safe your current browser is with [Panopticlick](https://panopticlick.eff.org) and cover your camera!&#x20;

### Browser Privacy Settings - Do Not Track and Private Browsing Windows

### DO NOT TRACK

**Chrome** > Settings > Show Advanced Settings > > Privacy > Send “Do Not Track” request with your browser traffic

**Firefox** > Options > Privacy > manage your Do Not Track settings

**Safari** > Menu > Preferences > Privacy > Website tracking > Ask websites not to track me

**Explorer** > Tools (Alt + X) > Safety > Turn on tracking protection > Enable

**Alternative Browsers and Search Engines**

* [Brave](https://www.brave.com/) is a browser which automatically blocks ads and trackers
* [Tor](https://www.torproject.org/) is a browsing software that enables you to surf the web anonymously
* [DuckDuckGo](https://duckduckgo.com/about) is a private search engine that does not track its users
* [StartPage](https://www.startpage.com) is a private search engine that does not record your IP address or track your searches

**Incognito Mode (Chrome)**

* Incognito mode on the web prevents Google Chrome from saving a record of what you visit and download.
* Customise and control Google Chrome > New incognito window
* Or hold down: Ctrl + Shift + N

**New Private Window (Firefox)**

* New Private Window opens a private browsing window in Firefox.
* Open menu > New Private Window
* Or hold down: Ctrl + Shift + P

**New Private Window (Safari)**

* New Private Window stops Safari from keeping track of what web pages you're viewing.
* File menu > New Private Window
* Or hold down: Command + Shift + N

**InPrivate**

* InPrivate helps prevent Internet Explorer from storing data about your browsing session.
* Tools > Safety > InPrivate Browsing
* Or hold down: Ctrl + Shift + P

#### **Use a VPN**

* A VPN, or a Virtual Private Network, is a way of disguising your IP and encrypting all of your internet traffic so that no one can find out what you’re viewing online.
* Free VPN: [OkayFreedom](http://www.okfreedom.com/en/) (please note: the free version of OkayFreedom is [ad-supported](http://www.okfreedom.com/en/support#free)) [TunnelBear](https://www.tunnelbear.com/)

### **Tor**

The Tor Browser is designed to help keep you anonymous and is a simple yet effective way of browsing the internet without revealing your identity to anyone.

Download it[ here](https://www.torproject.org/projects/torbrowser.html).

### Browser Extensions

Browser extensions (Add-ons\\/plug ins), are programs which extend or customise a web browser. Extensions can be used to protect your privacy by blocking third parties from tracking your online activity. WARNING: Extensions can also be malicious [examples](http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/x-malicious-browser-extensions-help-hackers-target-victims).

#### Recommended extensions:

* [HTTPS Everywhere](https://www.eff.org/https-everywhere) (Hypertext Transfer Protocol with Secure Sockets Layer)
* secures and encrypts your internet traffic
* [Privacy Badger](https://www.eff.org/privacybadger) blocks tracking [cookies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HTTP_cookie)
* [uBlock Origin](https://www.ublock.org) is an adblocker

## Erasing your browsing history

* Chrome > History > Clear browsing data
* Firefox > Options > Privacy > History
* Recommended PC Cleaners:
* [CCleaner](http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner)
* [BleachBit](http://www.bleachbit.org)

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DIY Online Security by [CHAYN](http://chayn.co) is licensed under a [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).
