Safe browsing is crucial for protecting your personal information and maintaining your privacy on Windows PCs. Fortunately, Windows comes equipped with several built-in features that help safeguard you online, whether you’re a beginner or an advanced user. This guide covers practical, step-by-step techniques for secure browsing using native Windows tools and settings, including real-world examples and actionable advice.
Getting Started: Secure Browsing Basics for Beginners
How do I use Microsoft Edge’s built-in security features?
Microsoft Edge is the default Windows browser and comes packed with security tools to protect you online.
Step 1: Enable Enhanced Security Mode
1. Open Microsoft Edge.
2. Click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner, then select Settings.
3. Go to Privacy, search, and services.
4. Scroll to Security and toggle on Enhance your security on the web.
5. Choose the Balanced or Strict option for greater protection. Balanced is suitable for most users.
Step 2: Turn on Tracking Prevention
1. In the same Privacy, search, and services settings, find Tracking prevention.
2. Choose Balanced (default) or Strict for maximum privacy.
Step 3: Block Pop-Ups and Dangerous Sites
1. Scroll to Security and ensure Microsoft Defender SmartScreen is enabled.
2. This feature blocks malicious websites and warns you about downloads that may harm your computer.
Why should I use Windows Defender SmartScreen?
SmartScreen is always working in the background when you use Microsoft Edge or even download files in Windows. It checks websites and downloads against a list of reported threats and warns you if anything is suspicious.
Practical Example: Say you receive an email with a link to what looks like your bank’s website. SmartScreen can detect if the website is a phishing attempt and display a warning before you proceed.
How do I use Windows security settings to protect my browsing?
Step 1: Open Windows Security
1. Click the Start button and type Windows Security.
2. Open the app and choose App & browser control.
Step 2: Adjust Reputation-based Protection
1. Click Reputation-based protection settings.
2. Enable Check apps and files, SmartScreen for Microsoft Edge, and Potentially unwanted app blocking.
These settings help prevent the installation of unwanted software and block access to harmful websites.
Tips for Intermediate Users: Fine-tune Your Privacy
How can I clear my browsing data and cookies?
Over time, websites store cookies and tracking data on your PC. Clearing these regularly helps protect your privacy.
1. Open Edge, click the three-dot menu, and select Settings.
2. Go to Privacy, search, and services.
3. Under Clear browsing data, click Choose what to clear.
4. Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, and Cached images and files.
5. Click Clear now.
For automatic cleanup:
1. Under Clear browsing data, click Choose what to clear every time you close the browser.
2. Toggle on the types of data you want removed after each session.
Tip: For comprehensive PC cleanup and privacy, Glary Utilities can help erase all browser traces across multiple browsers, not just Edge, with a single click.
How do I use Windows Family Safety for safer browsing?
For families or shared devices, Windows Family Safety helps monitor and limit content.
1. Go to Start > Settings > Accounts > Family & other users.
2. Add a family member with their email.
3. Visit https://account.microsoft.com/family and sign in.
4. Set up web and search filters to block adult content and restrict browsing to allowed sites only.
Advanced Techniques: Take Your Security Further
How do I control browser extensions and site permissions?
Extensions can improve productivity but may also introduce risks.
1. In Edge, click the three-dot menu and select Extensions.
2. Review installed extensions and remove those you don’t recognize or need.
3. For each extension, click Details and review permissions.
To manage site permissions:
1. Settings > Cookies and site permissions.
2. Review permissions like camera, microphone, location, and notifications.
3. Adjust or revoke as necessary to minimize your exposure.
How can I use Windows Sandbox for secure browsing?
If you want to visit a suspicious website safely, Windows Sandbox provides an isolated environment.
Requirements: Windows 10/11 Pro or Enterprise.
Step-by-step:
1. Search for Turn Windows features on or off.
2. Check Windows Sandbox and click OK (restart required).
3. Launch Windows Sandbox from the Start menu.
4. Open Edge inside the sandbox. Any browsing activity here is deleted when you close the sandbox window.
How do I keep Windows and browsers updated automatically?
Keeping software up to date patches vulnerabilities.
1. Go to Start > Settings > Windows Update.
2. Click Check for updates and enable automatic updates.
3. In Edge, open Settings > About Microsoft Edge to check for browser updates.
How does Glary Utilities help with privacy and security?
For users who frequently clear browsing histories, cookies, or cached files across multiple browsers, Glary Utilities offers a one-stop solution. Its Tracks Eraser feature quickly removes all traces of your online activity from Edge, Chrome, Firefox, and more, while also deleting temporary files and fixing privacy risks with a single click.
Summary
Secure browsing on Windows is straightforward with the right built-in tools. Beginners can rely on Edge’s SmartScreen and privacy settings; intermediate users can manage history and family safety controls; advanced users can isolate risky activity with Windows Sandbox and keep their system patched and clean. Whether you use Windows’ built-in features or turn to solutions like Glary Utilities for extra convenience, these steps can help you browse with confidence and protect your personal information at every level.