While Vivaldi has plenty of features that make it a worthwhile web browser, it doesn’t score high marks when it comes to security. Besides some basic ad-blocking features and the ability to hide from trackers, Vivaldi doesn’t offer much else.
Fortunately enough, Vivaldi is a Chromium-based web browser, meaning that it gains access to the Google Web Store. That said, you can improve Vivaldi’s security level by adding various extensions. But which are the best ones?
1. AdBlock
AdBlock is generally regarded as one of thebest ad-blocking extensions for Chrome, Edge, and Firefox, along with most Chromium-based web browsers, such as Vivaldi.
Not only that, but AdBlock helps keep your information private by blocking third-party trackers and cookies. This means that you don’t have to worry about issues such as scams, or unauthorized cryptocurrency miners using your computer.
Since ads will no longer load, you’ll notice that your browsing speed will significantly increase. Also, those of you who are on a limited data plan will notice that you’ll use up less data while surfing the internet.
One last positive side effect to using AdBlock is that no more ads mean no more elements occupying your screen space. Therefore, you’ll be able to focus better since there are no more distractions, and your web pages will look a lot less cluttered.
Download:AdBlock(Free)
2. Avast Online Privacy & Security
Avast Online Privacy & Security is a browser security extension that has all the features of abasic antivirus tool, and you can install it in Vivaldi with just a few clicks. It’s developed and maintained by Avast, and it protects your browser, along with your entire computer, from online threats, trackers, and pretty much any type of online scam.
It works by preventing dangers rather than fixing pre-existing infections with malicious software. For example, it checks the risk level of any website before you actually visit it. Just hover your cursor over the hyperlink and Avast Online Privacy & Security will show you the website’s risk rating.
Besides that, this extension offers the complete package in terms of web browser protection, including the ability to block cookies and trackers. However, a feature that makes it stand out is its ability to not only block your online footprint from advertisers but also remove your already existing personal details from an advertiser’s database.
For maximum efficiency, we recommend that you use it together withAvast Free Antivirus. It works together with the browser extension, further increasing your computer’s level of online security.
Download:Avast Online Privacy & Security(Free)
3. VT4Browsers
VT4Brwosers acts as aVirusTotalintegration for Vivaldi, and it helps protect you from infections, suspicious file downloads, and malicious links.
Once you install VT4Browsers, you’ll gain access to a control panel where you can adjust the various security settings to your liking. More so, you’ll also gain an additional context menu that will appear that you can use to scan web pages that you plan to visit.
The extension basically allows easier communication between Vivaldi and VirusTotal, so you no longer have to manually open new VirusTotal tabs every single time you want to scan a website or a file.
As for the safety levels themselves, keep in mind that VirusTotal is regarded by many as one of thebest free online virus scan and removal sites. Not only that, but it also works using engines and databases belonging to several prominent cybersecurity companies, including BitDefender, AVG, and ESET.
Download:VT4Browsers(Free)
4. Windscribe Proxy Extension
Unlike someweb browsers with built-in VPNs, Vivaldi doesn’t offer any kind of tool to hide your GPS location. However, by installing the Windscribe proxy browser extension, you’ll be able to hide your physical location and bypass censorship.
The Auto Pilot feature allows Windscribe to pick the best location for your current needs. Besides, your connection is proxied through two servers at all times, so tracking your data is nearly impossible.
Windscribe covers all the basics to make sure your GPS location matches the proxy location you select. It does this via location, API, and language spoofing. Even if your cookies are saved, Windscribe’s Cookie Monster tool will automatically delete them all once you’ve closed the respective tab.
All in all, Windscribe is arguably the best VPN browser extension that you can add to Vivaldi.
To ensure the highest level of privacy, we recommend trying outWindscribe VPNas well, since it fills in the security gaps that the browser extension cannot provide by itself.
Download:Windscribe Proxy Extension(Free)
5. LastPass
When it comes to password management, all Vivaldi can offer is the ability to save webpage passwords, and the ability to export those passwords as a CSV file. That said, if you’re looking to improve Vivaldi’s password management capabilities, we recommend installing the LastPass: Free Password Manager.
LastPass is apassword managerthat allows users to not just save their data in a safe and secure location, but also access it from any other devices where they have a compatible LastPass app installed.
The data is synced automatically and made instantly available to all your supported devices, including other computers, as well as smartphones. LastPass also improves productivity by automatically filling out forms with the appropriate data stored in its database.
Besides, LastPass can also generate passwords for you, and the only thing you ever need to worry about is the master password that you use to access LastPass.
Download:LastPass: Free Password Manager(Free)
Like most other web browsers, Vivaldi’s built-in download manager has very limited functionality. You can select the download location of your files, whether to be notified whenever you’re about to download something, and that’s about it.
However, the files that you download have the highest potential of compromising your data, which is why many users prefer installing a third-party download management extension.
Unlike some of the other entries on our list, the IDM Integration Module isn’t a standalone extension; rather it’s an integration extension that you install on Vivaldi, and you can only use it after installing the Internet Download Manager desktop app.
Thanks to this integration extension, you’ll unlock several neat features that allow you to make full use of Internet Download Manager’s toolkit. For example, it’ll add aDownload with IDMcontext menu next to all webpage elements that you can download. In fact, IDM allows you to download images and videos even from websites that don’t support native downloading.
Download:IDM Integration Module(Free) |Internet Download Manager($24.95, Free trial available)
7. Click&Clean
Another approach that users prefer when it comes to browser security is deleting all traces of their internet activity as soon as they’re done.
Vivaldi natively supports this thanks to private windows and a handful of privacy features, but some of your data will still linger for others to see. That is why we recommend installing Click&Clean, a browser extension that promises to erase any trace of your online activity from one simple panel.
Just install it, and access the Click&Clean panel in the top-right corner of Vivaldi. From that panel, you’re able to securely close Vivaldi while subsequentlycleaning all of your browsing data, clear your cache, delete your stored private data, and much more.
We recommend Click&Clean primarily for its simplicity, as well as its effectiveness. More so, it doesn’t cause a load on Vivaldi’s resource usage, so don’t worry about using this extension on desktops with limited RAM.
Download:Click&Clean(Free)
Greatly Improve Vivaldi’s Security Levels With These Extensions
Internet security has become a top priority for users worldwide, especially at a time when online threats are becoming more and more prominent. Unfortunately, for all its amazing features, Vivaldi doesn’t provide many built-in security features. That is why expanding this web browser’s functionality by using extensions is a must.
For many users, privacy, and security are the main concern when it comes to browsing the internet. If you’re one of them, know that there are plenty of other browsers out there that offer all the tools you could use to make your digital footprint non-existent.
