Safe browsing is not one setting. It is a combination of good habits, secure accounts, and privacy-aware browsing. In 2026, phishing and account takeovers are constantly evolving, so your defences must evolve too.
Here are 20 essential tips to protect your privacy, avoid scams and stay safer while shopping, downloading and signing into accounts.
📑 Table of Contents
🛡️ Foundation: accounts and passwords
- Use long, unique passwords for every site.
- Turn on 2FA for email and high-value accounts.
- Use a password manager so you do not rely on browser auto-fill alone.
- Check leaks and rotate exposed passwords.
🎣 Avoid phishing and fake pages
- Never enter passwords on pages you did not type yourself.
- Be suspicious of urgent messages: “account will close”, “final warning”.
- Hover links and verify the domain carefully.
- Do not share 2FA codes with anyone, even “support”.
- When in doubt, open the official site via your bookmarks.
- Beware of cloned login pages in ads and search results.
⬇️ Safe downloads and risky files
- Only download software from official sources.
- Avoid cracked downloads and unofficial app stores.
- Scan files before opening them when possible.
- Disable automatic opening of downloads.
- For documents, treat macros and executables as risky.
🔒 Privacy basics you should enable
- Review cookie consent: block third-party tracking when possible.
- Limit site permissions: camera, microphone, notifications.
- Use safer browser settings (tracking protection features).
- Consider a reputable privacy extension set (see Chrome extensions guide).
- Do not paste personal data on unknown sites.
🛒 Shopping safely online
- Use secure payment methods and verify checkout URLs.
- Be careful with “too good to be true” marketplace offers.
- Keep receipts and account activity screenshots for dispute handling.
💡 Reminder: Incognito does not make you anonymous. Use it only for session privacy, not as a security strategy.
⚡ Add privacy and security to your browser
Use our recommendations for Chrome security and privacy extensions to reduce tracking and phishing success.
🧩 Best Chrome Extensions