Your web browser might be betraying your privacy—here's how to protect yourself

Ever get the feeling your computer knows a little too much about you? Don’t worry, you’re not imagining things.

No, your devices aren’t eavesdropping in the old-fashioned sense, but today’s online tracking can feel just as unsettling. Those eerily specific ads that seem to read your mind? They’re not a coincidence.

Across the country, Americans are starting to take notice—especially older adults. Many say they feel uneasy about how much personal information is being collected online, and a strong majority admit they’re not quite sure how to protect themselves in this increasingly digital world.

The culprit behind many privacy breaches isn't a sophisticated hacker—it's likely the web browser you're using right now.

Why Chrome is watching your every move

If you're like most people, there's a good chance you're using Google Chrome to read this article.

Chrome holds nearly 51% of the country’s browser market, making it the country's most popular way to surf the web. But here's what many people don't realize: Chrome isn't just a window to the internet—it's also a data collection machine.

Bob Gourley, cybersecurity consultant and author of The Cyber Threat, puts it bluntly: “Chrome is built by a company whose entire business model is behavioural profiling. Everything you do in Chrome, it tracks, from searches to dwell time to links you hover over.”

Think of it this way: imagine if every time you visited your local library, a staff member followed you around, noting which books you looked at, how long you spent reading each page, and what you wrote down. Then imagine they sold that information to companies that wanted to influence what you read next. That's essentially what happens when you browse with Chrome.

The extensive data Chrome collects about you

Google collects an astonishing amount of data through Chrome, crafting what experts refer to as a “digital fingerprint” of your online life. This fingerprint can include:

• Every website you visit—and how long you stay on each one

• Your search queries and the results you click

• Bookmarks and saved passwords stored in your browser

• Your approximate location, based on your IP address

• Autofill information, like your name, address, and phone number

• Details about your device, including the type of computer or phone you’re using

• Browsing patterns across devices, if you're signed into your Google account

For privacy-conscious users, this level of tracking can feel invasive, particularly when health-related searches seem to trigger eerily specific ads.

What about Incognito mode?

Many people think Chrome's Incognito mode solves privacy problems, but it's a bit like closing your curtains while leaving your front door wide open.

While Incognito prevents Chrome from storing your browsing history on your device, it doesn't stop websites from tracking you or Chrome from collecting data in the background.

Gourley explains: “The more you poke at Chrome, the more you'll find it still works behind the curtain in private mode. It will continue to tie any browsing activity back to your Google account unless you disallow it.”

Better alternatives for the privacy-conscious

The good news is you don't have to accept this level of surveillance. Several excellent browsers prioritize your privacy while still providing all the functionality you need.

Brave—the privacy powerhouse

Brave stands out as the top choice for privacy-conscious users. Unlike Chrome, Brave doesn't collect any personal data about you. It blocks ads and trackers automatically, which also makes websites load faster and use less data—a bonus if you're on a limited internet plan.

What makes Brave particularly appealing for seniors is its familiarity. Because it's built on the same foundation as Chrome, it looks and works similarly, so you won't need to relearn how to browse. You can even use the same extensions you're used to. The difference is that Brave protects your privacy by default.

Firefox—the trusted alternative

Firefox, made by the non-profit Mozilla Foundation, offers robust privacy controls and has been a trusted name in web browsing for decades. While it requires a bit more setup to maximize privacy protection—you'll want to install add-ons like uBlock Origin for ad blocking—it's highly customizable and doesn't track your behavior for profit.

Tor Browser—for maximum anonymity

For those times when you need complete privacy—perhaps when researching sensitive health topics or financial matters—Tor Browser provides the highest level of anonymity.

It routes your internet traffic through multiple servers worldwide, making it nearly impossible to track. However, it can be slower and some websites may not work properly, so it's best saved for when privacy is paramount.

Also read: Attention 3.2 million Chrome users: Immediate action required to protect your data.

Making the switch—it's easier than you think

Worried about losing your bookmarks, passwords, and favourite websites? Don't be. All major browsers make it simple to import your data from Chrome. Here's how the process works:

1. Download your chosen new browser

2. During setup, select “Import from Chrome”

3. Choose what you want to transfer (bookmarks, passwords, etc.)

4. Let the browser do the work—it typically takes just a few minutes

You can even run both browsers side by side initially, gradually shifting your daily browsing to the more private option as you become comfortable.

Who’s watching the watchers? The fight to keep our data safe online

The country is grappling with online privacy concerns, especially when it comes to protecting children and regulating data collection.

While there’s no federal law requiring age verification for search engines or social media platforms, several states—like California, Utah, and Arkansas—have passed or proposed legislation aimed at restricting online access for minors. These laws often require parental consent, limit data collection, or mandate platform accountability for harmful content.

At the federal level, bills like the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) and updates to the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) are gaining attention. These proposals aim to:

- Strengthen protections for users under 16

- Limit targeted advertising and algorithmic amplification of harmful content

- Increase transparency around data collection and platform design

Meanwhile, broader privacy reforms—such as the proposed American Data Privacy and Protection Act (ADPPA)—seek to give all users more control over their personal information, including the right to access, delete, or opt out of data sharing.

Though these efforts are still evolving, they reflect a growing national conversation about digital safety, corporate responsibility, and the need for stronger privacy protections, especially for vulnerable groups like children and older adults.

Additional steps to protect your online privacy

Beyond switching browsers, here are practical steps anyone can take to improve their online privacy:

Use privacy-focused search engines: Instead of Google, try DuckDuckGo or Startpage, which don't track your searches. Brave Browser has its own privacy-focused search engine built right in.

Separate your online activities: Consider using different browsers for different purposes—perhaps Firefox for general browsing and Brave for online banking and sensitive activities.

Strengthen your passwords: Consider using a password manager to create and store unique passwords for each account.

Keep your browser updated: Don't ignore those update notifications. They often include important security improvements that protect you from the latest threats.

Why this matters more than ever

Privacy and security concerns are among the top reasons older adults hesitate to use technology.

Recent studies show that a significant majority of Americans aged 50 and older worry about how their personal information is collected, stored, and shared online.

Your choice of web browser is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to reclaim control over your personal information. While you can't eliminate all online tracking, switching from Chrome to a privacy-focused browser like Brave or Firefox significantly reduces the amount of data being collected about you.

The internet should work for you, not against you. By making informed choices about the tools you use to browse the web, you can enjoy all the benefits of being online while keeping your personal information more secure.

Key Takeaways

• Your browser may be the biggest privacy risk—not hackers. Chrome, in particular, collects extensive personal data by default.
• Incognito mode doesn’t offer true privacy—Chrome still collects data and links it to your Google account unless you opt out.
• Older adults are especially vulnerable.

What's your biggest concern about online privacy? Have you noticed targeted ads that made you uncomfortable? Share your experiences and questions in the comments below—your story might help other readers make the switch to better privacy protection.