BIG BROTHER BROWSER: WHO’S WATCHING YOU ONLINE?

Abstract

Browsers serve as our primary point of access to the virtual world of the internet. But there are numerous dangers in this world that users face. Today, one of the main functions of browsers is to help us protect ourselves against these risks. But do our preferred browsers succeed in this endeavor? How can one protect themselves from threats like phishing, user monitoring, super-cookies, and data harvesting while still maintaining a flawless browsing experience? Web security is a shared responsibility between the browser, the user, and the website. This thesis will concentrate on what the browser must do: the features they currently have and how we might improve them. The methods used by browsers to protect user privacy will be discussed, along with related topics like user apathy and online privacy and security. These methods include blocking access to harmful websites, requiring users to behave more securely, and limiting data collection and tracking. This thesis will thoroughly examine these problems for 6 selected browsers and offer suggestions for best practices that browsers should follow to offer users the best protection.