Which Browser is Safer: Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome?

In our latest test, we aimed to determine which browser—Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome—provides better protection against phishing links. Previously, we tested these browsers against malware, but today we focus on phishing threats, which are a significant concern for internet users.

To conduct our test, we used the latest reported phishing links from PhishTank. This live feed provides real-time phishing links that appear on the web. We tested each link on both browsers to see which one blocks the most.

Testing Methodology

For this test, we included Brave with the Guardio web extension as a control. Guardio is designed to block phishing links, offering an additional layer of protection. Since Brave and other reskinned browsers like Vivaldi utilize the safe browsing feature of their base browsers (Brave uses Chrome's safe browsing), we did not test them separately. Instead, we focused on how well Brave performs with Guardio installed compared to Edge and Chrome.

Results

1. Link 1:

   • Brave with Guardio: Blocked
   • Edge: Not blocked
   • Chrome: Not blocked

2. Link 2:

   • Brave with Guardio: Blocked
   • Edge: Not blocked
   • Chrome: Not blocked

3. Link 3:

   • Brave with Guardio: Blocked
   • Edge: Not blocked
   • Chrome: Not blocked

We noticed a pattern where Guardio blocked many phishing links that both Edge and Chrome missed.

4. Link 4: This link was blocked by Brave's built-in safe browsing and subsequently by Chrome, but not by Edge.
5. Link 5: This link was already taken down, so we skipped it.

Summary of Key Findings:

• Brave with Guardio consistently blocked a wide variety of phishing links, including cryptocurrency scams and fake banking sites.
• Google Chrome blocked more phishing links than Microsoft Edge, likely due to its extensive web crawling capabilities as a search engine.
• Microsoft Edge was less effective overall but did manage to block some phishing links that Chrome missed.

Additional Observations

• Many phishing links have a short lifespan, often taken down within a day or two. However, they can still cause significant damage within that period.
• Both Edge and Chrome were tested with their default settings, with Edge using SmartScreen protection and Chrome using its default browsing protection. Chrome also offers an "enhanced protection" mode which wasn't tested here.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that Google Chrome provides better phishing protection than Microsoft Edge. However, Brave with Guardio installed outperformed both, blocking almost every phishing link encountered.

While phishing protection is crucial, it is not the only factor to consider when choosing a browser. Privacy features and malware protection are also important. Check out our previous video on malware protection to get a comprehensive understanding of these browsers' capabilities.

Thank You to Guardio

We extend our gratitude to Guardio for sponsoring this video and providing their premium browsing protection for testing. Guardio not only blocks phishing links but also monitors emails for data leaks, blocks browser hijacking, and protects against identity theft. It's an excellent tool for enhancing online security, especially for those who may not easily recognize phishing attempts.