If I were a betting woman, I’d guess you use Google Chrome. It’s far and away the world’s most popular browser. It’s not my pick if you’re looking for the most privacy. Scan my list of browsers ranked by privacy.
After all, Google likely knows every website you visit, where you go, what you buy online, who you communicate with, and much more. Tap or click here for eight ways Google invades your privacy.
That said, Chrome is a solid browser. There are ways to make it even better.
First things first
Before we get into settings, take the time to ensure Chrome is up to date. This happens automatically when you shut down and reopen the program, but it’s worth checking now and again.
- Open Chrome, then tap the three vertical dots to the right of your profile icon.
- From the drop-down menu, hover over Help and select About Google Chrome.
- If an update is available, it will start. Click Relaunch to finish.
More Google smarts: 10 Google Search tricks to help you find what you’re looking for
1. Make your account harder to crack
Your Chrome profile is tied to your Google account. Two-step verification (or two-factor authentication) adds an extra layer of security to your account.
Once you set it up, you’ll sign into your Google account using two steps: something you know (your password) and something you have (like your phone). Remember, this is only necessary when you sign on with a new device.
Here’s how to set it up for Google:
- Go to myaccount.google.com.
- Select…
