Microsoft Edge Privacy and Security Features and Settings | Pro Guide
In my assessment, while browsing sites on the internet, it is almost impossible to remain completely private. We have to share some of our browsing data in some form to one service provider or the other. The ideal way to keep private on the internet is not using the internet at all. Therefore, I don’t buy claims of some browsers being the most private.
For me ‘trust’ is the big factor for my choice of using one browser or the other. I have been using Microsoft services and devices since long and never faced any problem related to breach of this trust. I feel secure by saving my vital passwords and sharing some of my browsing data such as my location or interests with Microsoft Edge browser. Microsoft Edge can provide you the strictest privacy and security, but I don’t prefer such strictest privacy as it comes at the cost of poor browsing experience.
Settings Location for Privacy and Security in Edge Browser
To access privacy and security page, in settings of Edge browser, please follow below navigation.
Click Ellipsis or three dots … on top right of browser window to access ‘Settings and More’ (or press Alt+F) → Settings → Privacy, search and services.
To Access the settings in Microsoft Edge mobile browser, click ‘three dots’ (…) on bottom of phone screen, Settings → Privacy and security.
You will get privacy and security settings on the same page in Edge browser.
My Settings for Privacy and Security in Microsoft Edge
You should explore yourself and tweak Edge settings for privacy and security according to your own preferences and trust level on Edge or website you browse through the Edge.
Here I will show you my way of settings in Edge browser according to my own preferences for security and privacy.
Tracking Prevention
I have turned ON the toggle button next to ‘Tracking prevention’ option.
Then I have selected ‘Balanced’ option for tracking. I do not prefer ‘Basic’ for obvious reason and I also do not prefer ‘Strict’ option because selecting strict option will provide me poor and hindered browsing experience for majority of websites.
However, if you prefer ‘Strict’ option for tracking, I will suggest you to click ‘Exceptions’ and then enter websites which you trust and regularly browse - such as microsoft.com, google.com, bbc.com, squarespace.com, dozro.com - for smooth, fast and optimum browsing experience.
I have turned ON the toggle button next to ‘Always use “Strict” tracking prevention when browsing InPrivate’ option.
Under Tracking Prevention, you also see an entry of ‘Blocked trackers’. Just open some websites and then click on ‘Blocked Trackers’ to see list of trackers which were blocked by your Edge browser in various websites.
Clearing Browsing Data
Through these settings in Edge browser, you can delete various types of your data from Edge browser such as saved passwords, download history, history of your browsed sites, cookies and cached images and files.
I do not come here often to delete Edge data. I only delete some of browser data after some timespan, say few months, when I notice that Edge data is eating up resources from SSD of my device.
I never delete passwords and download history. I only prefer to delete cached images and files, cookies and browsing history after lapse of some time.
I am very choosy about visiting websites. I do not visit suspicious websites. I will suggest you that if you visit suspicious websites (such as some porn sites, unknown http sites, or sites with unusual activity) then you should delete your browsing history, cached images and cookies, right at the end of your session.
If you are more sensitive about your privacy, you should open the privacy page of your Microsoft account and choose your preferences.
If you click ‘Choose what to clear every time you close the browser’ option, you will see various options to either toggle ON or OFF. Here I turn OFF all options including browsing history, download history, cookies and other site data, cached images and files, and passwords. Please remember that here if you have turned ON the toggle next to ‘Cached images and files’ option, you will see nuisance of privacy notice, each time you launch Edge browser, where you have to click ‘I accept’ button. Therefore, it is better to turn OFF the toggle next to ‘Cached images and files’ option.
Privacy
I have turned OFF the toggle next to ‘Send "Do Not Track" requests’ option. However, if you are too sensitive about your privacy, you can turn the toggle ON and browser will send the request to website (website you are going to visit) for not tracking your browsing behaviour.
I have also turned OFF the toggle next to ‘Allow sites to check if you have payment methods saved’ option as most websites should have no concern to know whether I have saved payment info in browser or not. Please note that there is no harm in turning it ON as browser will never show your credit card number and other sensitive payment info to the websites. By knowing that you have saved payment info in browser, websites can only determine that you can be a potential customer for buying their service or product.
Diagnostic Data
Microsoft collects diagnostic data about your usage of Edge browser. You have no control over ‘required’ data. However, you can turn OFF or ON the ‘optional’ diagnostic data.
I have turned ON the ‘optional’ diagnostic data because I have trust on Microsoft and I feel secure when Microsoft know which websites I browse.
However, you can turn OFF this optional diagnostic data. You will have to restart your computer for this change. You can do this through your Windows computer settings: Click Start → Settings → Privacy → Diagnostics and feedback → under diagnostic data select on ‘Required diagnostic data’ to turn OFF the optional diagnostic data sharing. To Access the same settings in Microsoft Edge mobile browser, click ‘three dots’ (…) on bottom of phone screen, Settings → Privacy and security → Diagnostic data.
Search and Service Improvement Data
I don’t mind turning the button ON next to ‘Search and service improvement’ option. It is about my contribution for helping Microsoft to improve their search functionality and making it more useful for everyone. For example, if I clicked a link and Edge caught that website malicious, then that link can be removed from search results globally.
Microsoft documentation is transparent about informing that this data includes search queries, clicks on a particular search result either from Bing search or other search websites.
Microsoft clarifies that such search data will not be linked with the device or person performing searches and this data will not be used for delivering ads.
Personalize your web experience
I have turned ON the toggle button next to this option so that Microsoft can show me relevant ads.
I have no problem if Microsoft shows me customized ads based on my interests. Turning this ON benefits both me as well as Microsoft.
If you don’t feel comfortable with turning ON this button for personalizing ad experience, you can toggle it OFF.
Security Settings in Microsoft Edge Browser
Click Ellipsis or three dots … on top right of Edge browser window to access ‘Settings and More’ (or press Alt+F) → Settings → Privacy, search and services → Security.
Manage Certificates: Often you do need to do anything. Browser automatically adds and updates certificates for websites. However, in case you get warning in browser for one of your trusted websites, you can import and add certificate for that website. For an example, visit this website page to get some idea. You can import, export or remove certificates. Certificates are digital keys for passing your secure identity to server and authenticating the identity of remote server for your device. You can know more on this topic in an article on Microsoft website.
Microsoft Defender SmartScreen: I always keep this great security feature turned ON. You should also toggle ON this security tool. Microsoft Defender SmartScreen is in fact is directly integrated into your Windows device and all apps including Edge browser benefits from its security protection. Microsoft Defender SmartScreen protects against phishing attacks, malicious websites, malware applications. It also prevents you from downloading of potentially malicious files.
Block potentially unwanted apps: I also keep this security setting turned ON. It blocks downloads of low-reputation apps that might cause unexpected behaviours.
Website Typo Protection: Before Oct 2022, it was called Typosquatting Checker. I prefer to turn ON the option next to Website Typo Protection. It keeps me away from malicious website domains apparently looking similar to domain names of some popular brands. For example, if I mistype ‘goggle.com (a malicious site) instead of authentic google.com, the web browser will warn me and suggest proper brand website domain. Similarly, Edge browser will warn if you type ‘ofice’ instead of ‘office’ in address bar.
Turn on site safety services to get more info about the sites you visit: I keep this security setting turned On. Connections to sites that use HTTPS are more secure than those with HTTP. If it is turned ON, Edge will try to use HTTPS connection for all sites and warn you for a site with lack of secure connection. If it is turned ON, you will be able to know more about the security of a website by clicking padlock icon, left to the address bar.
Use secure DNS to specify how to lookup the network address for websites: Keep this turned ON. It provides you secure environment for DNS resolving. Some ISPs, especially in countries with autocratic regimes log your browsing history of visited websites. If so, then you can also use some trusted DNS providers such as Google Public DNS or Cloudflare, by selecting ‘Choose a service provider’ and then clicking in the box below.
Enhance your security on the web: I turn ON the toggle next to this security feature then select ‘Balanced’ from the options. It is balanced approach between security and fast browsing experience. If you select ‘Strict’ then I will suggest you click ‘Exceptions’ and enter all of your trusted websites such as microsoft.com, google.com. [RD]
Control Permissions and Security Settings for a Specific Website in Edge
Open a website in Edge tab and click on ‘Padlock’ or security icon to the left of address bar. It will show you whether your connection and other private information such as payment detail, is secure or not. For some sites it will display ‘Added security’ text in address bar and toggle next to ‘Enhance security for this site’ can be turned ON.
Click on Cookies under ‘Permissions for this site’ to know how many cookies are set by the website. Here, you can quickly remove or block cookies. Here you can also allow cookies for a specific website. You can also choose to delete cookies when you exit the site.
After clicking ‘Lock’ icon, you can also quickly go to the site settings and customize several permissions for a specific website. For example, by clicking ‘Permissions for this site’ under lock, you can allow or block your location, camera, microphone, ads permission for the website. You can also view trackers installed by the specific website.
Always Use Genuine Windows for Ideal Security
For best security, I will suggest to always install genuine (instead of pirated) Windows on your devices so that you continuously get updated with most secure apps including Edge browser. For instance, in 2021, Microsoft automatically removed Edge Legacy browser through a Windows update and automatically installed latest Edge browser in devices.
Do You Need Additional Security Software or Anti-Virus?
According to my own experience, I have never installed any anti-virus or other security software in my Windows device. Microsoft Defender SmartScreen provides me optimum security.
According to Microsoft Docs, you do not need additional software and Edge browser is more secure than Chrome browser, though both are Chromium based browsers. [RD]
According to Microsoft, Edge browser has powerful, built-in defenses against phishing and malware and natively supports hardware isolation on Windows 10—there's no additional software required to achieve this secure baseline.
I have never installed any other antivirus software in my Windows computer, because, when you install any other antivirus app and turn it ON, the Microsoft Defender Antivirus automatically turns off. [RD]
So, if you have installed any third-party security software, then uninstall it so that Microsoft Defender automatically turns ON in your computer. [RD]
Additionally, whenever I have any doubt, I right-click on a file or folder in my computer and select ‘Scan with Microsoft Defender’ option.
Services Section in Edge Browser
Use a web service to help resolve navigation errors: I prefer to keep it turned ON.
Suggest similar sites when a website can't be found: I keep this setting in Edge browser turned ON.
Show suggestions from Pinterest in Collections: I prefer to turn it OFF. It is your own choice. If you want suggestions from Pinterest, you may turn it ON.
Enhance images in Microsoft Edge: I keep it turned OFF as I prefer to see images in original setting.
I turn ON both options in under ‘Address bar and search’ namely ‘Show me search and site suggestions using my typed characters’ and show me suggestions from history, favorites and other data on this device using my typed characters. These are just enhanced functionalities and there is no harm in turning those ON.
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