Browsers Are the New Battlefield: 48% of Cyberattacks Now Target Your Web Activity

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• Browser activity is involved in nearly half of all cybersecurity incidents.
• Attack vectors include malicious links, credential-harvesting scripts, and content injection.
• Following these key best practices will help you stay safe online.

Web browsers have become the front line in today’s cybersecurity wars, with new research revealing they’re involved in nearly half of all security incidents. According to Palo Alto Networks’ 2026 Global Incident Response report, an analysis of 750 major cyber incidents across 50 countries found that 48% of cybercrime events involved browser activity.

For individuals and business employees connecting to the web daily, this means constant exposure to threats where a single successful intrusion, malicious download, or cleverly disguised phishing attempt can lead to surveillance, data theft, ransomware infection, or financial devastation.

Also: Are AI browsers worth the security risk? Why experts are worried

Palo Alto Networks security researchers identified the most common browser-based threats we face today: phishing and malicious links, credential-harvesting pages, spoofed websites, and even Clickfix—a sophisticated initial access method that tricks users into accidentally performing malicious actions through fake online instructions or alerts.

As our browsers transform into security minefields, it’s crucial to review best practices for staying safe online and implement measures to reduce your risk of becoming a cyber victim. Here are 10 essential strategies to protect yourself:

1. Keep your browser updated

It’s basic advice we all ignore: “I’ll update later.” Don’t. Software updates are your first and most critical defense line against intrusion and browser compromise. Accept updates immediately—they almost always include fixes for critical vulnerabilities and bugs that cybercriminals actively exploit.

2. Check URLs and look for padlocks

HTTP-only websites lack encryption, leaving your communication vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks. Anyone can read and analyze your traffic, potentially inserting themselves between you and the website. While HTTP-only sites are fine for casual browsing, never submit personal information or financial data on them.

Look for the padlock icon and “HTTPS” in your address bar. Some browsers automatically upgrade HTTP to HTTPS when possible. If your browser supports DNS-over-HTTPS, enable it to mask your activity from ISPs—it may appear as “Secure DNS” in settings.

3. Sign up for a password manager

Avoid in-browser password managers and use standalone credential management services instead. If your browser is compromised, so is your entire vault. Standalone password managers build their reputation on security, encryption, and defense against the latest threats—they’re not just bolted-on features.

4. Use an ad blocker

Ad blockers reduce tracking, eliminate pop-ups that could serve malware or Clickfix scripts, and significantly improve browsing experience. They speed up page loading times and reduce website fingerprinting. Our best ad blockers guide recommends options like Ghostery, which blocks trackers by default.

5. Try private or incognito mode

Most browsers offer private or incognito mode, which prevents saving your website visit logs or searches locally. This reduces targeted advertising and improves privacy on shared computers. However, these modes only prevent local data saving—they won’t stop ISPs or other parties from seeing your online activity.

6. Switch to an anonymous search engine

DuckDuckGo offers a privacy-first alternative to Google or Bing. It doesn’t collect user data, track users across the web, save search history, or sell activities to marketers. Cookie pop-ups and trackers are blocked by default. It’s popular enough to have expanded into a full-fledged browser.

Make the easy switch by setting DuckDuckGo as your default search engine in existing browser settings.

7. Install a VPN

A virtual private network (VPN) encrypts your online communications, disguises your IP address, and hides your online activity. VPNs prevent third-party profiling and eavesdropping, making them crucial for public Wi-Fi hotspots. Top options include NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark.

8. Use a more secure browser

Transition to browsers known for strong security like Brave, Tor, or DuckDuckGo. These browsers emphasize user security and privacy through methods including anonymous search engine integration, blocking third-party trackers, strict cookie policies, upgrading unsecured connections, using IP-masking server relays, and preventing browser fingerprinting.

9. Use Tor to stay hidden

The Tor browser uses the onion network to disguise traffic, routing requests through nodes that mask your IP address and make tracking extremely difficult. While slower than typical browsers and potentially causing display issues on script-heavy websites, Tor is excellent for anonymous browsing.

You’ll need a VPN, download the Tor software, and connect. For specific websites, you may need to know their .onion address.

10. Be wary of AI browsers

Stay cautious with AI-focused browsers like Atlas and Comet. While powerful and promising, they create new attack surfaces for cybercriminals. The main issue is prompt injection attacks—where hidden instructions in web pages or URLs force AI browsers to act maliciously, potentially exposing or stealing your data.

If using AI browsers, minimize personal data sharing. AI chatbots are useful but not inherently secure.

tags: browser security, cybersecurity threats, phishing protection, password managers, ad blockers, VPN privacy, secure browsing, Tor anonymity, AI browser risks, HTTPS encryption, Clickfix attacks, cyber incident prevention, online safety tips, data protection, web security best practices

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