Which browser is the most secure? Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox? Microsoft Internet Explorer? Although it's an easy question, the answer can be a little complicated.

A Fall 2013 poll showed that Firefox was the most secure browser. Firefox was hacked four times in the Pwn2own hacking contest, March 2014. This made it one of the most vulnerable browsers.

Complicating matters, NSS Labs conducted a 2013 comparison of five popular Web browsers and found that Internet Explorer was superior to its competition. NSS Labs research found that not all browsers are equally protected against security threats.

While no browser can be bulletproof, you can make sure your browser is as secure and safe as possible. Here are six ways to increase the security of your browser.

Configure the security and privacy settings of your browser

 To ensure you are comfortable with the privacy and security settings of your browser, review them. Check to see if your browser blocks third-party cookies. This can allow advertisers to track your online activities. For Chrome browser you can disable it by Chrome firewall settings.

The Department of Homeland Security's "Securing Your Web Browser" guide provides specific recommendations and steps for privacy and security settings. This guide also discusses browser features and the associated risks such as ActiveX and Java, certain plug-ins, cookies, and JavaScript.

Keep your browser up-to-date

Browser updates are often released to fix security holes that have been discovered. It is important to keep your browsers up-to-date.

Register for Alerts

To stay on top of security developments, you might set up Google alerts in your browser. For Internet Explorer users, you can create a Google Alert with the keywords Internet Explorer security or something similar. You can choose to receive alerts when news articles or other relevant content hits the Web.

When installing plug-ins, be cautious

Sometimes plug-ins or extensions can put you at risk. It was discovered earlier this year that Chrome extensions could change ownership or service without notifying users. You can make extension related changes in Chrome firewall settings. Google has changed Chrome's extensions regulations in June to prevent extensions from becoming more than "simple, single-purpose in nature."

Install an AV

When you install any type of software, potentially unwanted programs (PUPs), can be overlooked. These little bugs can change your browsers without you even realizing it. ZoneAlarm is a trusted antivirus program that can protect your computer from being hijacked by PUPs.

Install security plug-ins

While most extensions and plug-ins are safe, some may help to increase your browser's security. These are four free browser extensions that can help increase security.

• ZoneAlarm Web Secure Free Chrome Extension: 

  This Chrome extension provides protection on three levels. First, it offers a safe search engine that shows you which websites you can trust. It scans email and websites for phishing threats, so you are not vulnerable to being hacked. It also cleans any files downloaded that might contain malicious content. It eliminates any worries about downloading files and browsing the internet. It's completely free! The best part? It's totally free!

• HTTPS Available Everywhere

  This Firefox, Chrome, or Opera extension was jointly developed by The Tor Project and The Electronic Frontier Foundation. HTTPS is a communication protocol that secures communications over a computer network. It is different from the standard HTTP protocol which is less secure but is widely used. HTTPS Everywhere is a communications protocol that encrypts communication between many websites in order to protect your browsing experience.

• Web of Trust

  Also known as WOT. This extension is available for Internet Explorer, Firefox Chrome, Safari, Safari, Opera, and Opera. It helps you to determine if a website can be safely accessed. The extension displays traffic indicator icons next to URLs. You should use caution if the site is not reliable. Yellow indicates that it is safe to proceed; red means "steer clear." These ratings are crowdsourced from WOT’s global user base. They are also supported by trusted third-party sources such as malware directories.

• LongURL.org.

  You might click a short link embedded in an interesting Facebook post if you are on Twitter or Facebook. However, shortened links can mask malicious links. You can copy and paste a shortened URL into the LongURL.org search box if you are unsure. Without actually clicking through to the site, you'll be able to see the location of the link. LongURL.org can also be installed as an extension for Firefox.

What have you done to protect your browser? What browser security plugins have you used? We'd love to hear your comments in the comment section.