Private mode (and why it isn’t)
SAFARI’S PRIVATE BROWSING mode is
invoked by choosing File A New Private
Window (Shift.Cmd.N), and applies
to individual windows, identiĽed by
a dark search bar.
As you’re told at the top of the
window, this means Safari won’t
record the pages you visit in yourHistory. Nor will it record any data you
enter on websites to autoĽll later, and
pages you visit won’t sync to Safari on
your other devices.
What it won’t do is in any way make
you more anonymous online. Sites can
still identify your connection by its IP
address; various %Ľngerprints% can beread from your browser to attempt to
track you between sites, although
Safari always minimizes this; and your
internet service provider may keep a
record of pages you visit, which could
be accessed by the authorities. If you
want to maintain your privacy online,
use a VPN (see p37).Protect yourself from pop–ups, plug–ins and cookies...
!
SAFARI, MACOS’S BUILT–IN web browser,
incorporates a range of security protections that
are enabled by default. In Safari > Preferences >
Security, “Warn when visiting a fraudulent website” checks
every address you visit against the large Google Safe
Browsing database, and warns you if it’s known to host
malware or phishing attacks, whether because the site itself
is dodgy or it’s been hacked.
But wait — that means someone’s recording what sites you
visit! Well done if you spotted this threat, but Safari actually
hashes the addresses before sending them to Google, so
using this service doesn’t leak your browsing history.Also under Security are options to enable JavaScript and
block pop–up windows. Turning off JavaScript will break most
modern websites, so don’t do that. Pop–up windows are
sometimes used to display fake alerts to trick you into
clicking malicious links, which can’t immediately do any harm
on a Mac but are best avoided. Keep them blocked unless a
site you need to use advises you to enable pop–ups: this may
be the case with online exams or job applications.
In Safari > Safari Extensions, you can install add–ons vetted
by Apple, which can then be managed in Safari > Preferences
> Extensions. These should be safe, but you’ll need to
consider the privacy implications of third–party services that
store or sync your personal data.
Plug–ins from other sources may be less trustworthy, and
are managed in Safari > Preferences > Websites. Here you can
also set whether individual websites can access your Mac’s
camera, microphone, or location. Make sure “When visiting
other websites” is set to Deny or Ask, not Allow.COOKIE CONTROL
In Safari > Preferences > Privacy, “Prevent cross–site tracking”
should be checked: it defeats sneaky Like buttons that tell
sites like Facebook which pages you visit even if you don’t
click them. Here you can also opt to block all cookies, but that
would mean some sites don’t work and others forget your
preferences. Click Manage Website Data to control cookies
per website, or use Remove All to start again.
If you use another browser, such as Chrome or Firefox,
similar security settings will be found in its preferences. Keep
your browser apps updated so that any new security
protections are installed.Bolster your browser’s security
Safari Extensions are vetted by Apple, but can still present privacy issues when it
comes to your personal data.34 AUG 2019 maclife.com
Feature