Software security in 2026 – Practical tips for the mildly paranoid
type: NewsArticle
description: A software security guide published June 5, 2026 advises desktop users to adopt Firefox as their primary browser to avoid Chromium-based restrictions imposed by Google and Microsoft. The guide warns that artificial intelligence is blurring the line between legitimate and malicious online content, requiring increased vigilance from users who want a secure and private Internet experience.
date published: 2026-06-05 17:27:49+00:00
date modified: 2026-06-05 17:50:04.491376+00:00
language: en
is accessible for free: true
article body: Updated: June 5, 2026 The "modern" Web is one giant pile of crap. If you disagree, you should probably close this article now, as pretty much anything I write here won't really matter. If you believe social media, vertical videos and apps are cool and amazing, have at it. On the other hand, if you still practice sensible computing, use your desktop as a good, trusty tool, find little joy in smartphones, and you feel concerned about the direction the Internet is going in, then you may want to stick around for some good old-fashioned security tips from a dinosaur. In this guide, I want to talk about what you can do to make your online experience slightly less sufferable. I can't promise any great satisfaction, but I can perhaps lessen your pain. Furthermore, with "AI" blurring the lines between lightweight crap and heavyweight crap that passes off as the Web today, you really need to exercise extra caution, if you want your Internet to be quiet and pristine. Let's commence. ## Table of Contents - [Word of caution](#mozTocId743229) - [Browsing security](#mozTocId895739) - [Mail security](#mozTocId520596) - [Downloads (of any kind)](#mozTocId919761) - [Non-default programs](#mozTocId840036) - [Practical mitigations in common software](#mozTocId157490) - [Automatic updates (or rather, not)](#mozTocId64905) - [Smartphone security](#mozTocId898859) - [Cloud security](#mozTocId276649) - [Networking devices and gadgets](#mozTocId923946) - [Virtual Private Networks (VPN)](#mozTocId88841) - [Password management](#mozTocId6274) - [Conclusion](#mozTocId608882) ## Word of caution First, a wee disclaimer. My article isn't designed to be a foolproof formula for Internet shenanigans. It won't protect you from state actors, it does not replace common sense (however you define it) or healthy doubt. All of us, I repeat, all of us, from noobs to most tech literate professionals, are susceptible to social engineering, and we will all, at some point, make this or that mistake, whatever th…
publisher: Web Pulse
keywords: ai-safety, ai-tools, ai-products, ai-ethics, ai-infrastructure
citation: CreativeWork