Do a ten-minute browser privacy and safety check

Browser hardening lists can become endless. A short repeatable check is more useful: update the browser, remove old site permissions, inspect extensions and make sure dangerous-site warnings are on. Do not install an extra cleaner or disable normal features just to satisfy a checklist.

Run the check​

1. Open the browser's About or update screen and complete any pending update or restart. A browser that downloaded an update but was never restarted may still be running old code.
2. Review extensions. Remove ones you no longer need; for retained extensions, inspect their site access and whether their publisher still maintains them. An icon you do not recognize deserves investigation before you sign into sensitive sites.
3. Review site permissions for camera, microphone, location, pop-ups and notifications. Remove stale exceptions and prefer one-time permission when it is offered and sufficient.
4. Confirm the browser's phishing and harmful-download protection is enabled. In Chrome, Settings → Privacy and security → Security shows Safe Browsing choices; understand the privacy tradeoff before choosing Enhanced.

Finish with a real test​

Visit a trusted video-call site to verify that the camera still works and a familiar login to confirm no essential extension was removed. Do not use a random 'browser test' website that asks for broad permissions. If a setting is controlled by an employer, ask the administrator instead of attempting to bypass policy. Google's Safe Browsing description and permission guide explain current controls. Our site-access glossary helps interpret an extension's reach. Repeat this check after an incident or every few months, not every time you see a scary ad.