Answer 1: Strict Mode offers more Protection for your privacy than Standard/Custom mode. You can refer to the image provided with this answer. Although, some sites may break down in Strict mode. To make them work, you can add them as an Exception.

[How to add a site as an exception in order to make it work]

In my Opinion, Strict mode is much safer.

Answer 2 (a): When you use Strict Mode, the Total Cookie Protection to prevent sites from tracking your activity from site to site while allowing non-tracking cookies (cookies that are required for a website to work properly). So, downloading AdBlocker is your choice.

(b): It's true that the add-on would have access to your data, that's why you should install Genuine add-ons (Recommended by Firefox due to their standards for protection and performance)

AdBlock Ultimate Popup Blocker

Summary: * If you're highly concerned about your privacy, you should enable Strict mode.

• Strict mode is Enough, but if you want Trustworthy AdBlocks, I've provided the links above.

Tracking Protection is not designed to be an ad blocker. It does block some ads generated from known tracking servers, but for fuller protection, you would need to use an Add-on.

I don't know which add-on is the "Free Adblock." The most frequently recommended among users on this forum would be uBlock Origin:

https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/ublock-origin/

uBlock Origin is one of several ad blocking extensions that receive the highest level of review, so you can have the most assurance that they can be trusted with intrusive permissions. More info: Recommended Extensions program.

You can shop and compare a variety of recommended ad block extensions here:

https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/search/?promoted=recommended&q=ad%20block&sort=users&type=extension

When I was about to install the Free Adblock, a warning came up asking me if it was the best adblocker and confirming that the extension would have permission to access my data from all websites, extend developer tools to access my data in open tabs, display notifications to me, access my browser tabs, and access browser activity during navigation/

Knowing all of the above details, do I really want to install Adblock ?

Here is why I am asking: My mum had an issue with Google Chrome AND Firefox accessing MSN.com. The Microsoft Security Alert Scam page appeared (with flashing banners and a loud audible siren). I used Task Manager to exit out of it and changed the Google Chrome security setting to Enhanced and the Firefox setting to Strict but doing that did not 'block/warn' a malicious MSN article link and the issue arose again yesterday on both browsers.

What are the best steps to minimize this issue occurring again in Google Chrome 'without' installing adblock?

Most likely the scam page loaded through an ad network, so your instinct to block ads was a good one. If you are asking me whether I can guarantee a way to block ads without using an add-on, no, I cannot, the browser is not designed for that. I can only suggest add-ons that have a good reputation.

To get a better understanding of permissions: just because the add-on can read what you are doing in a page does not mean that information is collected. I certainly don't collect that information in my add-ons -- I truly, truly DO NOT want to know what you people are doing in your browsers. It is up to you to decide whether to install an extension based on the reputation of the extension and its author. See: Tips for assessing the safety of an extension.

P.S. I don't use Chrome, and this forum doesn't support Chrome. You can ask about Chrome ideas on other forums.

Do you use an adblock and, if so, what one?

Also, assuming you do use an adblocker, are you concerned that information (usernames and passwords) are being collected?

I am just concerned that an adblocker might be causing more security problems than it aims to reduce.

• Also, why isn't GC your preferred browser?

I don't use an ad blocker. I use a script blocker, which is a huge pain, but I'm used to how it works. I trust the author not to steal my data.

Why would I want to use Chrome? I grew up with Firefox (switched from Internet Explorer 5.5, I think) and don't see a reason to change. There will always be some Google services that are crippled in Firefox and need Chrome (or Edge), but that only comes up a few times a month.

When I click on Sign Out, it takes me to the Sign In/Up page, I click Continue With Firefox Accounts, and click Sign In and it signs me in again., creating a ‘loop.’

How do I sign out entirely?

When I click on Sign Out, it takes me to the Sign In/Up page, I click Continue With Firefox Accounts, and click Sign In and it signs me in again., creating a ‘loop.’ How do I sign out entirely?

Sign Out, and then don't Sign In. You will remain signed out.

Thank you.