Secure and Private Browsing

Summary

This discussion covers the best browsers for privacy, highlighting Firefox with added privacy scripts as the top choice. Brave is used but not necessarily recommended due to limited options. Concerns about Tor's speed and security are mentioned, while browsers like Epic and Opera are criticized for various reasons. Waterfox and LibreWolf are noted for privacy but have security update lags. The speaker also touches on the VPN industry, recommending self-setup over paid services for true privacy and security. The overall message emphasizes skepticism and careful selection of privacy tools.

Takeaways

• 🔒 Firefox is considered one of the best browsers for privacy, especially with the addition of the Firefox privacy script by Simon on security.
• 🛠️ Privacytools.io is a recommended site for finding privacy-oriented browser tools and scripts.
• 🚀 LibreWolf and other Firefox forks are less preferred due to slower updates and potential vulnerabilities.
• 🐢 Tor browser is noted for its privacy but criticized for its slow performance and potential security issues with exit nodes.
• 🌐 Epic browser is not well-regarded due to its default privacy settings being comparable to Chrome and questionable affiliations.
• 🛡️ Brave is used by the speaker and recommended for its relatively better privacy features, though its Tor functionality is lacking.
• 🔄 Waterfox is seen as less secure due to delayed updates from the Firefox project.
• ❌ Opera is strongly discouraged due to past unethical practices, particularly with high-interest loans.
• 🌍 VPNs are commonly used for torrents and geo-unlocking rather than genuine privacy or security, with a recommendation to set up personal VPNs using WireGuard or OpenVPN.
• 📉 VPN services can sometimes be compromised, as highlighted by an incident with NordVPN, making personal VPNs a safer choice.

Q & A

What browser is the speaker currently using for privacy?

The speaker is currently using Brave browser.

What is the speaker's opinion on Mozilla Firefox for privacy?

The speaker thinks Mozilla Firefox is probably the best browser for privacy, especially with additional scripts like the Firefox privacy script by Simon on Security.

What concerns does the speaker have about using forks of Firefox like LibreWolf and Waterfox?

The speaker is concerned that forks like LibreWolf and Waterfox might be slow to patch security vulnerabilities, making users potentially vulnerable for longer periods.

Why does the speaker not recommend using the Tor browser?

The speaker finds the Tor browser to be very slow and is concerned about the security and privacy of exit nodes, some of which might be controlled by state actors.

What is the speaker's opinion on the Epic browser?

The speaker is not familiar with the Epic browser but expresses skepticism, especially after discovering that its default privacy settings are not much better than Chrome.

Why does the speaker dislike Opera browser?

The speaker dislikes Opera browser due to its history of unethical practices, such as soliciting high-interest loans to users and being generally untrustworthy.

What is the speaker's opinion on Mullvad VPN?

The speaker acknowledges that Mullvad VPN is one of the last independent VPNs on the market and suggests it might be a good option, though they don't use it themselves.

Why does the speaker not recommend paid VPN services for security and privacy?

The speaker believes paid VPN services can act as honeypots and points out past security breaches, like the one experienced by NordVPN. They recommend setting up a personal VPN for better security.

What does the speaker suggest as an alternative to paid VPN services?

The speaker suggests setting up a personal VPN using tools like WireGuard or OpenVPN, which can provide better security and privacy.

What is the speaker's overall stance on privacy browsers and VPNs?

The speaker believes there are no perfect options for privacy browsers and VPNs, each having its own drawbacks. They advocate for informed choices and setting up personal solutions when possible.

Outlines

00:00

🛡️ Best Browser for Privacy

The speaker discusses the importance of choosing the right browser for privacy, mentioning the use of Brave browser. They emphasize that while Brave is being used, it is not an endorsement. Mozilla Firefox is highlighted as a top choice, especially when enhanced with privacy scripts like the one from Simon on Security. The speaker expresses concerns about other browsers like LibreWolf and the security implications of using forks of Firefox. The topic of Tor is also covered, with the speaker acknowledging its privacy benefits but criticizing its speed and potential vulnerabilities due to state actor-controlled exit nodes. Epic browser is briefly mentioned, but the speaker is skeptical about its privacy claims due to poor default settings.

05:00

🚫 Criticism of Epic and Other Browsers

The speaker continues to critique various browsers, expressing disappointment in Epic browser's privacy settings. They also mention their personal connection to Kansas, where Epic's founder grew up, but ultimately dismiss the browser due to its association with Norton. Brave is again mentioned, with the speaker criticizing its Tor feature. Other browsers like Waterfox and Opera are discussed, with the speaker disapproving of Opera's business practices and Waterfox's slow updates. Mullvad VPN is introduced as a rare independent VPN, but the speaker advises caution due to the lack of affiliate revenue and possible security concerns.

10:01

🔒 VPNs and Their Real Use

The final section focuses on VPNs, with the speaker discussing their primary use cases, such as torrents and geo-unlocking, rather than security or privacy. They explain how to set up a personal VPN using tools like WireGuard and OpenVPN, which can offer better security than public VPN services. The speaker highlights the risks associated with VPN services, citing a breach at NordVPN as an example. They conclude that IT professionals rarely use VPNs for privacy and security and suggest that most users would benefit more from setting up their own VPN.

Keywords

💡Privacy Browser

A privacy browser is a web browser designed to minimize the amount of data that is tracked or collected about users. The script discusses different privacy browsers like Brave, Mozilla Firefox, and Tor, emphasizing how they protect users' online privacy to varying degrees. For instance, Firefox is recommended with additional privacy scripts to enhance its privacy features.

💡Brave Browser

Brave is a privacy-focused web browser that blocks ads and website trackers by default. In the script, the speaker mentions using Brave but cautions that this is not a blanket recommendation, as the browser, like others, has its flaws. Brave is seen as a decent option, but the speaker is critical of its Tor feature, which they find less effective than the actual Tor Browser.

💡Mozilla Firefox

Mozilla Firefox is an open-source web browser that is often recommended for its strong privacy controls and customizability. The speaker considers Firefox to be the best privacy browser, particularly when enhanced with privacy scripts like the one from Simon on Security. Firefox's commitment to patching vulnerabilities quickly is highlighted as a significant advantage over other browser forks.

💡Tor Browser

Tor Browser is a specialized web browser that anonymizes internet activity by routing traffic through a network of volunteer-operated servers. The script addresses the pros and cons of Tor, noting its strong privacy capabilities but criticizing its slow performance and the potential risk of state actors controlling exit nodes, which could compromise security.

💡Privacy Script

A privacy script is a set of modifications or add-ons applied to a browser to enhance its privacy and security features. The script mentions a specific privacy script by Simon on Security that can be added to Mozilla Firefox to make it less intrusive and more secure. This script is recommended as a way to improve Firefox’s privacy capabilities beyond its default settings.

💡Browser Forks

Browser forks are alternative versions of a web browser, created by modifying the original browser's source code. Examples mentioned include LibreWolf and Waterfox, which are forks of Mozilla Firefox. The script expresses concerns that these forks may lag in applying security patches, making them potentially less secure than the main Firefox browser.

💡VPN (Virtual Private Network)

A VPN is a service that encrypts a user's internet connection, providing privacy and security by masking their IP address. The script discusses VPNs primarily in the context of security and privacy but also highlights their use for bypassing geo-restrictions and torrenting. The speaker advises caution with commercial VPN services, recommending self-hosted VPNs instead for true privacy.

💡Affiliate Revenue

Affiliate revenue refers to the income generated by promoting a product or service and earning a commission on any resulting sales. The script criticizes the prevalence of affiliate marketing in VPN recommendations, pointing out that many YouTubers promote certain VPN services not because they are the best option, but because they offer lucrative commissions.

💡State Actors

State actors are government agencies or entities that may engage in surveillance or other activities on the internet. In the script, the speaker expresses concern that state actors might control some of the exit nodes on the Tor network, potentially compromising its security and privacy for users.

💡Public Network

A public network is a network that is open to the public, such as Wi-Fi in cafes, hotels, or airports. The script discusses the importance of using a VPN when connecting to public networks to encrypt traffic and protect against potential threats. The speaker suggests that setting up a VPN to connect to one's home network is a more secure alternative to using commercial VPN services.

Highlights

The Brave browser is being used, though it's not an outright recommendation due to limited options for privacy-focused browsers.

Mozilla Firefox is considered the best privacy browser, especially when enhanced with additional privacy scripts like the one from Simon on Security.

Privacytools.io is recommended for evaluating different privacy-oriented browsers.

Concerns about the speed and security of Tor browser are raised, especially regarding exit nodes potentially being controlled by state actors.

Epic browser, though built on Chromium, does not have default privacy settings better than Chrome, making it a questionable choice for privacy.

Waterfox and LibreWolf, forks of Firefox, have issues with staying on stable releases too long, posing security concerns.

Opera browser is heavily criticized for unethical practices, such as preying on users with high-interest loans.

Mullvad VPN is highlighted as one of the last independent VPNs without affiliate revenue, making it less commonly recommended by YouTubers.

Affiliate sales in the VPN industry are significant, with YouTubers earning substantial commissions, influencing their recommendations.

For actual privacy and security, setting up a personal VPN using tools like WireGuard or OpenVPN is recommended over commercial VPN services.

NordVPN had a security breach where hackers gained hardware access to their server banks, compromising user data.

Most IT professionals use VPNs for torrents and geo-unlocking rather than for privacy or security purposes.

The practicality of mobile privacy browsers like the hypothetical Mullvad browser is acknowledged, though not currently explored.

Brave's Tor feature is mentioned as subpar compared to the standalone Tor browser.

Overall, the landscape of privacy-focused browsers is depicted as lacking ideal options, with each having significant trade-offs.

Transcripts

all right best browser for privacy this

is one of the most misunderstood topics

I think on the net so I'm using Brave

browser here don't get that mixed up as

me recommending Brave it's just there's

not that many great options when it

comes to browsers and brave just kind of

smells the not as bad as the rest for

the most part depending on where you're

at so this article right here says right

now number one's Mozilla

Firefox I don't disagree with that I

think Firefox probably would be the best

but I probably would add some stuff to

it there's this great script I think

it's like uh Firefox privacy

script um Simon on security made it yeah

that's it this is a great script that I

highly recommend I'm going to link it in

chat for everybody if you're a Firefox

you're concerned about privacy this is a

great one it even got mentioned in

privacytools.io which is a great one

when you're looking at different privacy

oriented browsers uh this actually is

not a bad uh site to go to but this one

can run the script and make Firefox less

Snoopy and and just overall a good

privacy browser approach now I know they

mentioned like Libre wolf and some other

ones I don't like these as much as the

Bas Mozilla with a privacy script just

because the Bas Mozilla does a better

job of patching like bleeding edge like

day zeros and stuff like that where some

of these Forks of

Firefox sometimes can be slow on the uh

the uptake and you could be vulnerable

for longer so from the security aspect I

like the more standard Firefox approach

with privacy browser but kind of

interesting um let's flip number two's

tour tour is just slow as crap app and I

just can't consider it as a normal

browser and I don't know from a security

or privacy

standpoint how useful it is because a

lot of I think the exit nodes a lot of

State actors are in this realm now to

where the tour Network I'm not 100%

certain that it's perfectly private and

perfectly secure as many people make it

out to be so

tour it gets me a little iffy and the

fact it's so slow also kind of like H I

have a hard time ever recommending tour

to anybody it's okay and it's probably

better than your stock browser but uh

again I I worry about a lot of those

exit nodes and stuff being run by state

actors and some other facts so I mean

I'm I'm kind of like on the fence about

tour it can be a good thing but it is

very slow so that's it epic what the

hell's epic if you're a chrome user easy

switch epic ships with privacy

protections have I been sleeping on a

new browser chat you heard about epic

using Incognito for privacy browsers you

still need epic how you're tracked epic

privacy

browser what is this no no okay I'm not

the only one on this one um who are they

built on chromium like everybody else

it's backed as a product of hidden

reflex of software company founded by

alok

Baja sorry Booker that name uh with a

development team in

Bangalore Bangalore India okay founder

of Slash dot blah blah blah grew up in

Texas Virginia and Kansas hey Kansas I'm

from Kansas I'm a Kansas boy born and

raised studied philosophy music

Princeton University previously blah

blah blah well I have to check that out

Epic browser okay I I can't render

opinion on it because I haven't used it

so

interesting uh it does have some

drawbacks though we tested it using EFS

cover Your Tracks tool default privacy

settings weren't much better than Chrome

oh

man oh

no how how do you have a privacy setting

where the default privacy settings

aren't better than

Chrome like

what okay well we'll still maybe look

that up I'm still partial he's from

Kansas he can't be that bad oh jeez was

there did I see a Norton icon in the

footer oh is there is there one let me

see no I didn't see oh my gosh you did

see a Norton icon in the footer people

still do this what they hire a web

developer from 2003

like how does that even happen anymore

okay we can't take epic browser

seriously man I really wanted to like

the guy he's he grew up in Kansas that's

where I grew up although how did he grow

up in three states his dad must have

been in the military or something any

who it is Norton safe web protected by

semantic that's

terrible all right so yeah yeah all

right best private browser for you um

Brave that's what I'm using right now

it's not so bad their tour feature in

Brave kind of sucks too by the way tour

browser does a better job than the Brave

Brave tour if you if you're unfamiliar

there's a new private window with tour

it works like

just not not very well at all tour

browser Works infinitely better uh

waterf Fox again same thing applies I I

prefer Li Libra wolf more than water Fox

Fox water Fox I know sometimes their

Forks when they Fork it they they stay

on a stable release way too long and I'm

more worried about them uh they're

Downstream they take a long time to pull

back from the Firefox project

so yes they're private but the security

aspect is a bit more Pro problematic for

me Opera um I hate Opera it's just

absolutely the worst they are just no

don't don't ever use Opera they I think

it was their privacy or their their

mobile one where they prayed upon all

their users and were

solicita high interest loans upwards of

20 or 30% per month uh on their aprs so

they were soliciting like almost these I

think they were credit cards and just

awful awful company so Opera don't ever

use anything from them terrible and then

mulvad still new I haven't used them um

molad vpns I did talk about uh I'd say

mulvad is one of the last independent

VPN on the market you don't hear a lot

about mulvad VPN on YouTubers because

they have no affiliate Revenue meaning

they don't give YouTubers any money so

any security Channel you watch on

YouTube will never recommend molad

because they are missing 30 % of the cut

example

expressvpn if you signed up using my

link for them which I I'm no longer

sponsored by them and I don't have a

link anywhere for them anymore I don't

think if I do I'll take it down but like

let's say you sign up for the $100 a

year for for them I would get 30% of

that cut so I get $30 for every person

that signs up for expressvpn for the

full year at $100 so as you see if you

get a th000 people signing up and a $30

a pop well that's that's $330,000 in

that YouTuber's pocket so why would they

ever recommend something that doesn't

give them this kind of commission this

is YouTube affiliate sales in a nutshell

that no YouTuber will ever talk about

because they literally would be shooting

themselves in the foot because some

especially in the security realm when it

comes to vpns they make the most money

off of these affiliate sales because the

rips are huge these commissions are

massive and uh that's that's why the vpm

game is as it is but if you actually do

want a decent VPN I don't even recommend

mulad honestly but if you're going to

pick one and you're thinking that that's

a good thing that's fine but I would

highly recommend just going with

something different you know making your

own VPN but yes no I I when it comes to

vpns like for security and privacy

purpos purp is going to a like let's say

a hotel or a public network typically

you'd want to establish a VPN to try

encrypt your traffic but you can do that

to your home network using wire guard

using openvpn you can set up your own

free one and that way you're working off

of your home network instead of that

public network that can can have some

bad stuff happening so from a security

privacy Point that's really the only

time I'd recommend a VPN but I wouldn't

pay for it uh so that's the thing and

there's also been instances where these

kind of these VPN Services can be

working like honeypots uh like it was I

think nordvpn had a instance where they

had their data centers breached with out

of band access for several months and a

hacker had full Hardware controls of

that uh of that whole server server bank

I want to

say so they had Hardware access to all

of the information going in and out of

those those servers for for the VPN so

these people that were thinking they

were being private and secure were

actually would have been far better if

they were just doing it on their own

network having said that most of us in

the it realm don't use VPN for anything

I just said for privacy or security

Torrance and Geo unlocking that's

usually what these vpns are good for

let's just be real it ain't it has

nothing to do with security or privacy

that's why these VPN Services exist so

that is the gist of it and as far as

privacy

browsers pick your poison there aren't

any good options but hey maybe mobile

bad briser will come out and I would

love to try it someday probably not

today so that's my take on browsing

privately and

securely