Confused about Security
I've been good about avoiding being hacked or having major problems. I'm on a Mac, with the latest update. I use 1Password. I check all the urls on questionable email. I use 2fa, and check for data briefs.
Firefox has built-in security. So does Apple. And Firefox has all sorts of extensions that provide security. Privacy Badger is from the EFF. I don't know if they all do the same thing or cover things not covered. The descriptions say they protect me, but how do I know? At times, I probably have overkill.
And this doesn't even address VPNs.
Searching for "Security" in extensions shows a list of about 2,000 extensions. "Privacy" returns a list of more than 2,600. I would think that if you were confident in your security, there wouldn't be so many, and/or you wouldn't list them. Do you have a gap that we need to find an extension to cover?]
There needs to be some consistency and clarity as to what you protect against and what they claim they protect against so we know which one we really need. It feels like buying a car and being told to go find our own tires in a vast warehouse, and then search for the gears we want, etc. When we get on a plane, we don't select our own seatbelts. If on a cruise ship, we don't choose our lifevests. If that were the case, no one would get on boats or planes. By letting us fend through thousands of security programs, you shift the responsibility to us. And very few of us have enough training or knowledge to do so.
I don't expect you to be perfect, but helping us through this maze would be great. I probably know more than the average person, but it feels that
All Replies (2)
Firefox browser and Mozilla security is only good as the person whom uses the computer and updates their security software. Beyond that Mozilla isn't a security company to protect your computer that is the user responsibility to do so. Firefox browser updates their browser along with it's browser security updates to Firefox. What your asking requires you get a computer networks security consultant to do what your asking and that isn't what this forum is made for.
Just to be clear, the Add-ons site is an open repository where any fool (even me) can submit their extensions. As long as they do not violate any policies or obviously steal your data, they get listed. So please don't take listing as an endorsement or recommendation. (There is a small set of Recommended Extensions if you're curious: Recommended Extensions program.)
But on the larger point: Yes, there are too many options. This probably explains why there are numerous articles, blog posts, and YouTube videos about recommended security extensions. And it doesn't really help that security and privacy overlap with one another, and with annoying ads.
In my opinion, the place to start is with the browser features that help screen out known attack and phishing sites, and known tracking servers, and alert you to problems with connection security. On top of that, you can add additional content blockers, but preferably one at a time. For example, uBlock Origin is a popular extension with multiple lists and settings that cover a wide range of annoyances and privacy threats. Privacy Badger and Ghostery have similar/overlapping features. And then you can what you want to address particular issues (whatever your concerns might be).
Finally, a VPN routes your connection through a third party server. That might be down the road, across the country, or across the world. If you are using a server that you can't afford to learn your home or office IP address, then a VPN is critical. If you are traveling and can't trust airport, hotel, or coffee shop networks not to spy on your browsing, then a VPN is very valuable. If you are using it to watch content (such as British TV shows) only available when your IP address is in a specific country, it's a nice hack. Otherwise, you don't need a VPN.
Hope that helps.
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