Here are a few tweaks that I use for the Google Chrome browser to make it more secure. These instructions are based on a clean installation of Chrome v30.0.1599.66 on Windows 7.
Always best to start fresh.
Always best to start fresh.
1. Open up Settings
On the Settings tab...
2. Click Reset to default theme if it is not already selected. Themes are like extensions and can potentially share your browser data with third-party devs. Obviously, don't install extensions either for the same reason.
3. Click Show advanced settings...
In the Privacy Section...
4. Disable Use a web service to help resolve navigation errors
5. Disable Use a prediction service to help complete searches and URLs typed in the address bar
6. Disable Predict network actions to improve page load performance
7. Enable phishing and malware protection
7. Disable use a web service to help resolve spelling errors.
8. Disable Automatically send usage statistics and crash reports to Google
9. Enable Send a "Do Not Track" request with your browsing traffic
NOTE: Just below, in Passwords and forms, you should never enable Autofill or save passwords. These are disabled by default, but Chrome will prompt you constantly to enable them.
10. Towards the bottom, under System, disable Continue running background apps when Google Chrome is closed
11. Click on Content Settings at the top
In Content Settings, Under Cookies...
12. Enable Keep local data only until I quit my browser.
NOTE: You can go one step further and Block sites from setting any data, but many websites will not work properly. Your call.
13. Enable Block third-party cookies and site data
Under Handlers...
14. Enable Do not allow any site to handle protocols
Under Plug-ins...
15. Enable Click to play. This will bring up a grey window for webpage elements such as Flash e.g. a YouTube video. All you have to do is click on the puzzle piece and it will work.
Under Pop-ups...
16. Make sure the Do not allow any site to show pop-ups is enabled. This is the default.
Under Location...
17. Enable Do not allow any site to track my physical location
Under Notifications...
18. Enable Do not allow any site to show desktop notifications
Under Mouse cursor...
19. Enable Do not allow any site to disable the mouse cursor
Under Protected content...
20. Disable Allow identifiers for protected content
Under media...
21. Enable Do not allow sites to access my camera and microphone
21a. You should also disable camera and microphone access in your Flash player settings as well.
Under Unsandboxed plug-in access...
22. Enable Do not allow any sites to use a plug-in to access my computer
23. Click Done at the bottom right
Now under the History tab...
This should be done fairly often to ensure you are not leaving breadcrumbs behind and keep your system lean and mean. Also consider using CCleaner.
24. Click Clear Browsing data...
25. Select the beginning of time from the dropdown
26. Check all boxes
27. Click Clear Browsing Data
On the Settings tab...
2. Click Reset to default theme if it is not already selected. Themes are like extensions and can potentially share your browser data with third-party devs. Obviously, don't install extensions either for the same reason.
3. Click Show advanced settings...
In the Privacy Section...
4. Disable Use a web service to help resolve navigation errors
5. Disable Use a prediction service to help complete searches and URLs typed in the address bar
6. Disable Predict network actions to improve page load performance
7. Enable phishing and malware protection
7. Disable use a web service to help resolve spelling errors.
8. Disable Automatically send usage statistics and crash reports to Google
9. Enable Send a "Do Not Track" request with your browsing traffic
NOTE: Just below, in Passwords and forms, you should never enable Autofill or save passwords. These are disabled by default, but Chrome will prompt you constantly to enable them.
10. Towards the bottom, under System, disable Continue running background apps when Google Chrome is closed
11. Click on Content Settings at the top
In Content Settings, Under Cookies...
12. Enable Keep local data only until I quit my browser.
NOTE: You can go one step further and Block sites from setting any data, but many websites will not work properly. Your call.
13. Enable Block third-party cookies and site data
Under Handlers...
14. Enable Do not allow any site to handle protocols
Under Plug-ins...
15. Enable Click to play. This will bring up a grey window for webpage elements such as Flash e.g. a YouTube video. All you have to do is click on the puzzle piece and it will work.
Under Pop-ups...
16. Make sure the Do not allow any site to show pop-ups is enabled. This is the default.
Under Location...
17. Enable Do not allow any site to track my physical location
Under Notifications...
18. Enable Do not allow any site to show desktop notifications
Under Mouse cursor...
19. Enable Do not allow any site to disable the mouse cursor
Under Protected content...
20. Disable Allow identifiers for protected content
Under media...
21. Enable Do not allow sites to access my camera and microphone
21a. You should also disable camera and microphone access in your Flash player settings as well.
Under Unsandboxed plug-in access...
22. Enable Do not allow any sites to use a plug-in to access my computer
23. Click Done at the bottom right
Now under the History tab...
This should be done fairly often to ensure you are not leaving breadcrumbs behind and keep your system lean and mean. Also consider using CCleaner.
24. Click Clear Browsing data...
25. Select the beginning of time from the dropdown
26. Check all boxes
27. Click Clear Browsing Data
Enjoy your browsing experience knowing that you are now more secure. If anyone else has any more tips, please comment below. Happy Browsing!
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