I'm planning to start using my father's computer to test out Linux, and if I like it, I want to switch to it on my main PC. I'm leaning towards using Mint Cinnamon, but I'm not sure if that matters for my question. I've been a long-time Chrome user, and I'm curious if Firefox is just as good or even better than Chrome. Specifically, I want to know if Firefox encrypts my cookies and other tokens well, if it provides warnings when visiting suspicious websites, and whether it effectively blocks malware during downloads. I've had issues with Chrome where a typo led me to a sketchy site, and my antivirus alerted me to potential threats. I'm hoping to find out if Firefox has similar vulnerabilities or if it's a safer choice overall. Thanks for any insights!
5 Answers
For the best experience, use Firefox with uBlock Origin. Chrome’s recent changes have limited ad-blocking capabilities, so you won't get the full version of uBlock on Chromium-based browsers. This is partly because Google profits from ads, so they've made it harder to block them here.
I've switched to Vivaldi recently, but if we're comparing Firefox and Chrome, they both handle core functions similarly. Firefox has better support for ad-blocking while Chrome is pushing against that. Security-wise, both use sandboxing instead of cookie encryption. Just a heads-up, some streaming sites might work better with Chrome because of DRM compatibility.
Firefox is definitely safer in some ways, especially if you add uBlock Origin. It prevents harmful sites from loading in the first place, making for a smoother and safer browsing experience.
Using Firefox along with uBlock Origin and Privacy Badger will give you a pretty secure setup while browsing. Just keep your extensions updated!
Ethically, Firefox is a better choice, though on a technical level, they both have their pros and cons. I wish it were otherwise!
Don't forget to also install an extension that blocks those annoying cookie banners. They can be quite intrusive!