Microsoft Edge and security (Feb 2022)

Technology Tips – Published February 2022 in the Guide and Digest

By Don Trauger – Kennett

 

Improve your Web Security when using Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge has recently improved its security. This Chromium based browser, like Google Chrome, has implemented a new security setting. Here’s how to set it up.

Launch Edge and click on the three dots in the upper right corner. Scroll down and click Settings to go into the Settings menu. On the left side click “Privacy, search and services.” Scroll down to “Enhance your security on the web.” Click on Strict, which boosts security for all sites. (If you have issues with any site, you can click on Exceptions and add websites you want to exclude from this setting.) I have not had any issues with the Strict setting. Above the right-hand edge of the Strict box there is an on/off switch. Make sure it is in the right-hand position to ensure the Strict box is active (with blue border around it). Turning it off disables not only Strict mode but also Balanced mode.

Other selections that I recommend that should adjusted are as follows.

Now scroll all the way to the top and under “Tracking protection,” select the Strict box. Make sure the switch above the Strict box is in the On position (blue).

Scroll down to “Privacy” and turn On “Send do not track” requests. Turn Off “Allow sites to check if you have payments methods saved.”

Scroll down further to “Search and service Improvement” and turn it Off.

Turn Off “Personalize your web experience.”

Further down, all items under “Security” should be turned On.

Finally, in the last category, “Services” all items should be turned Off.

After making the above changes, the security level of Edge will be improved. I recommend you review your settings from time to time to make sure they remain at the same point you set.