diff --git a/test/disabled/test-fs-largefile.js b/test/disabled/test-fs-largefile.js
index b783785484..365cdec188 100644
--- a/test/disabled/test-fs-largefile.js
+++ b/test/disabled/test-fs-largefile.js
@@ -9,14 +9,14 @@ const path = require('path'),
     message = 'Large File';
 
 fs.truncateSync(fd, offset);
-assert.equal(fs.statSync(filepath).size, offset);
+assert.strictEqual(fs.statSync(filepath).size, offset);
 var writeBuf = Buffer.from(message);
 fs.writeSync(fd, writeBuf, 0, writeBuf.length, offset);
 var readBuf = Buffer.allocUnsafe(writeBuf.length);
 fs.readSync(fd, readBuf, 0, readBuf.length, offset);
-assert.equal(readBuf.toString(), message);
+assert.strictEqual(readBuf.toString(), message);
 fs.readSync(fd, readBuf, 0, 1, 0);
-assert.equal(readBuf[0], 0);
+assert.strictEqual(readBuf[0], 0);
 
 var exceptionRaised = false;
 try {
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ try {
 } catch (err) {
   console.log(err);
   exceptionRaised = true;
-  assert.equal(err.message, 'Not an integer');
+  assert.strictEqual(err.message, 'Not an integer');
 }
 assert.ok(exceptionRaised);
 fs.close(fd);
diff --git a/test/disabled/test-http-abort-stream-end.js b/test/disabled/test-http-abort-stream-end.js
index 3e8bff2124..5dc51d9eee 100644
--- a/test/disabled/test-http-abort-stream-end.js
+++ b/test/disabled/test-http-abort-stream-end.js
@@ -36,6 +36,6 @@ s.listen(common.PORT, function() {
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
   assert(aborted);
-  assert.equal(size, maxSize);
+  assert.strictEqual(size, maxSize);
   console.log('ok');
 });
diff --git a/test/disabled/test-readline.js b/test/disabled/test-readline.js
index 7896833b93..4273f10134 100644
--- a/test/disabled/test-readline.js
+++ b/test/disabled/test-readline.js
@@ -49,12 +49,12 @@ var rl = readlineFakeStream();
 var written_bytes_length, refreshed;
 
 rl.write('foo');
-assert.equal(3, rl.cursor);
+assert.strictEqual(3, rl.cursor);
 [key.xterm, key.rxvt, key.gnome, key.putty].forEach(function(key) {
   rl.write.apply(rl, key.home);
-  assert.equal(0, rl.cursor);
+  assert.strictEqual(0, rl.cursor);
   rl.write.apply(rl, key.end);
-  assert.equal(3, rl.cursor);
+  assert.strictEqual(3, rl.cursor);
 });
 
 rl = readlineFakeStream();
@@ -76,9 +76,9 @@ rl.write.apply(rl, key.xterm.home);
 ].forEach(function(action) {
   written_bytes_length = rl.written_bytes.length;
   rl.write.apply(rl, action.key);
-  assert.equal(action.cursor, rl.cursor);
+  assert.strictEqual(action.cursor, rl.cursor);
   refreshed = written_bytes_length !== rl.written_bytes.length;
-  assert.equal(true, refreshed);
+  assert.strictEqual(true, refreshed);
 });
 
 rl = readlineFakeStream();
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ rl.write.apply(rl, key.xterm.home);
   ''
 ].forEach(function(expectedLine) {
   rl.write.apply(rl, key.xterm.metad);
-  assert.equal(0, rl.cursor);
-  assert.equal(expectedLine, rl.line);
+  assert.strictEqual(0, rl.cursor);
+  assert.strictEqual(expectedLine, rl.line);
 });
 rl.close();
diff --git a/test/disabled/test-sendfd.js b/test/disabled/test-sendfd.js
index 969e8b5850..9f1159e30a 100644
--- a/test/disabled/test-sendfd.js
+++ b/test/disabled/test-sendfd.js
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ var logChild = function(d) {
 // validate any data sent back by the child. We send the write end of the
 // pipe to the child and close it off in our process.
 var pipeFDs = netBinding.pipe();
-assert.equal(pipeFDs.length, 2);
+assert.strictEqual(pipeFDs.length, 2);
 
 var seenOrdinals = [];
 
@@ -72,8 +72,8 @@ pipeReadStream.on('data', function(data) {
   data.toString('utf8').trim().split('\n').forEach(function(d) {
     var rd = JSON.parse(d);
 
-    assert.equal(rd.pid, cpp);
-    assert.equal(seenOrdinals.indexOf(rd.ord), -1);
+    assert.strictEqual(rd.pid, cpp);
+    assert.strictEqual(seenOrdinals.indexOf(rd.ord), -1);
 
     seenOrdinals.unshift(rd.ord);
   });
@@ -119,8 +119,8 @@ cp.on('exit', function(code, signal) {
   srv.close();
   // fs.unlinkSync(SOCK_PATH);
 
-  assert.equal(code, 0);
-  assert.equal(seenOrdinals.length, 2);
+  assert.strictEqual(code, 0);
+  assert.strictEqual(seenOrdinals.length, 2);
 });
 
 // vim:ts=2 sw=2 et
diff --git a/test/disabled/test-setuidgid.js b/test/disabled/test-setuidgid.js
index 3603e9bb42..14a480fd95 100644
--- a/test/disabled/test-setuidgid.js
+++ b/test/disabled/test-setuidgid.js
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ assert.notStrictEqual(newuid, olduid, 'uids expected to be different');
 try {
   process.setuid('nobody1234');
 } catch (e) {
-  assert.equal(e.message,
+  assert.strictEqual(e.message,
                'failed to resolve group',
                'unexpected error message'
   );
diff --git a/test/fixtures/GH-892-request.js b/test/fixtures/GH-892-request.js
index eccbafcf43..d0db3e29ff 100644
--- a/test/fixtures/GH-892-request.js
+++ b/test/fixtures/GH-892-request.js
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ var options = {
 };
 
 var req = https.request(options, function(res) {
-  assert.equal(200, res.statusCode);
+  assert.strictEqual(200, res.statusCode);
   gotResponse = true;
   console.error('DONE');
   res.resume();
diff --git a/test/fixtures/b/c.js b/test/fixtures/b/c.js
index a27baeb658..2305e5b286 100644
--- a/test/fixtures/b/c.js
+++ b/test/fixtures/b/c.js
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ const assert = require('assert');
 
 const package = require('./package');
 
-assert.equal('world', package.hello);
+assert.strictEqual('world', package.hello);
 
 console.error('load fixtures/b/c.js');
 
diff --git a/test/fixtures/node_modules/baz/index.js b/test/fixtures/node_modules/baz/index.js
index 59fc9fe79b..939f035169 100644
--- a/test/fixtures/node_modules/baz/index.js
+++ b/test/fixtures/node_modules/baz/index.js
@@ -2,9 +2,9 @@ console.error(__filename);
 console.error(module.paths.join('\n') + '\n');
 // this should work, and get the one that doesn't throw
 const assert = require('assert');
-assert.equal(require('bar'), require('../bar.js'));
+assert.strictEqual(require('bar'), require('../bar.js'));
 
 // this should work, and get the one in ./node_modules/asdf.js
-assert.equal(require('asdf'), require('./node_modules/asdf.js'));
+assert.strictEqual(require('asdf'), require('./node_modules/asdf.js'));
 
 module.exports = 'eye catcher';
diff --git a/test/fixtures/node_modules/foo.js b/test/fixtures/node_modules/foo.js
index 56a98f76a8..4d4cc9fe12 100644
--- a/test/fixtures/node_modules/foo.js
+++ b/test/fixtures/node_modules/foo.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
 console.error(__filename);
 console.error(module.paths.join('\n') + '\n');
 const assert = require('assert');
-assert.equal(require('baz'), require('./baz/index.js'));
+assert.strictEqual(require('baz'), require('./baz/index.js'));
diff --git a/test/internet/test-dns-txt-sigsegv.js b/test/internet/test-dns-txt-sigsegv.js
index 3c85d546cf..54cc464851 100644
--- a/test/internet/test-dns-txt-sigsegv.js
+++ b/test/internet/test-dns-txt-sigsegv.js
@@ -4,6 +4,6 @@ const assert = require('assert');
 const dns = require('dns');
 
 dns.resolveTxt('www.microsoft.com', function(err, records) {
-  assert.equal(err, null);
-  assert.equal(records.length, 0);
+  assert.strictEqual(err, null);
+  assert.strictEqual(records.length, 0);
 });
diff --git a/test/message/error_exit.js b/test/message/error_exit.js
index 7235801514..1cb785a1b5 100644
--- a/test/message/error_exit.js
+++ b/test/message/error_exit.js
@@ -6,4 +6,4 @@ process.on('exit', function(code) {
   console.error('Exiting with code=%d', code);
 });
 
-assert.equal(1, 2);
+assert.strictEqual(1, 2);
diff --git a/test/message/error_exit.out b/test/message/error_exit.out
index e25af05861..e2a29ab42d 100644
--- a/test/message/error_exit.out
+++ b/test/message/error_exit.out
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ Exiting with code=1
 assert.js:*
   throw new assert.AssertionError({
   ^
-AssertionError: 1 == 2
+AssertionError: 1 === 2
     at Object.<anonymous> (*test*message*error_exit.js:*:*)
     at Module._compile (module.js:*:*)
     at Object.Module._extensions..js (module.js:*:*)
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-assert.js b/test/parallel/test-assert.js
index e00f044942..47599a4c73 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-assert.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-assert.js
@@ -333,9 +333,9 @@ try {
   threw = true;
   assert.ok(e instanceof TypeError, 'type');
 }
-assert.equal(true, threw,
-             'a.throws with an explicit error is eating extra errors',
-             a.AssertionError);
+assert.strictEqual(true, threw,
+                   'a.throws with an explicit error is eating extra errors',
+                   a.AssertionError);
 threw = false;
 
 // doesNotThrow should pass through all errors
@@ -345,8 +345,8 @@ try {
   threw = true;
   assert.ok(e instanceof TypeError);
 }
-assert.equal(true, threw,
-             'a.doesNotThrow with an explicit error is eating extra errors');
+assert.strictEqual(true, threw, 'a.doesNotThrow with an explicit error is ' +
+                   'eating extra errors');
 
 // key difference is that throwing our correct error makes an assertion error
 try {
@@ -355,8 +355,8 @@ try {
   threw = true;
   assert.ok(e instanceof a.AssertionError);
 }
-assert.equal(true, threw,
-             'a.doesNotThrow is not catching type matching errors');
+assert.strictEqual(true, threw,
+                   'a.doesNotThrow is not catching type matching errors');
 
 assert.throws(function() { assert.ifError(new Error('test error')); });
 assert.doesNotThrow(function() { assert.ifError(null); });
@@ -461,10 +461,10 @@ circular.x = circular;
 
 function testAssertionMessage(actual, expected) {
   try {
-    assert.equal(actual, '');
+    assert.strictEqual(actual, '');
   } catch (e) {
-    assert.equal(e.toString(),
-                 ['AssertionError:', expected, '==', '\'\''].join(' '));
+    assert.strictEqual(e.toString(),
+                       ['AssertionError:', expected, '===', '\'\''].join(' '));
     assert.ok(e.generatedMessage, 'Message not marked as generated');
   }
 }
@@ -499,24 +499,24 @@ try {
   });
 } catch (e) {
   threw = true;
-  assert.equal(e.message, 'Missing expected exception..');
+  assert.strictEqual(e.message, 'Missing expected exception..');
 }
 assert.ok(threw);
 
 // #5292
 try {
-  assert.equal(1, 2);
+  assert.strictEqual(1, 2);
 } catch (e) {
-  assert.equal(e.toString().split('\n')[0], 'AssertionError: 1 == 2');
+  assert.strictEqual(e.toString().split('\n')[0], 'AssertionError: 1 === 2');
   assert.ok(e.generatedMessage, 'Message not marked as generated');
 }
 
 try {
-  assert.equal(1, 2, 'oh no');
+  assert.strictEqual(1, 2, 'oh no');
 } catch (e) {
-  assert.equal(e.toString().split('\n')[0], 'AssertionError: oh no');
-  assert.equal(e.generatedMessage, false,
-               'Message incorrectly marked as generated');
+  assert.strictEqual(e.toString().split('\n')[0], 'AssertionError: oh no');
+  assert.strictEqual(e.generatedMessage, false,
+                     'Message incorrectly marked as generated');
 }
 
 // Verify that throws() and doesNotThrow() throw on non-function block
@@ -527,8 +527,8 @@ function testBlockTypeError(method, block) {
     method(block);
     threw = false;
   } catch (e) {
-    assert.equal(e.toString(),
-                 'TypeError: "block" argument must be a function');
+    assert.strictEqual(e.toString(),
+                       'TypeError: "block" argument must be a function');
   }
 
   assert.ok(threw);
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-buffer-indexof.js b/test/parallel/test-buffer-indexof.js
index 580a93ed66..ebb8c1fe58 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-buffer-indexof.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-buffer-indexof.js
@@ -71,12 +71,12 @@ assert.strictEqual(b.indexOf('f', 5), 5);
 assert.strictEqual(b.indexOf('f', -1), 5);
 assert.strictEqual(b.indexOf('f', 6), -1);
 
-assert.equal(b.indexOf(Buffer.from('d'), 2), 3);
-assert.equal(b.indexOf(Buffer.from('f'), 5), 5);
-assert.equal(b.indexOf(Buffer.from('f'), -1), 5);
-assert.equal(b.indexOf(Buffer.from('f'), 6), -1);
+assert.strictEqual(b.indexOf(Buffer.from('d'), 2), 3);
+assert.strictEqual(b.indexOf(Buffer.from('f'), 5), 5);
+assert.strictEqual(b.indexOf(Buffer.from('f'), -1), 5);
+assert.strictEqual(b.indexOf(Buffer.from('f'), 6), -1);
 
-assert.equal(Buffer.from('ff').indexOf(Buffer.from('f'), 1, 'ucs2'), -1);
+assert.strictEqual(Buffer.from('ff').indexOf(Buffer.from('f'), 1, 'ucs2'), -1);
 
 // test invalid and uppercase encoding
 assert.strictEqual(b.indexOf('b', 'utf8'), 1);
@@ -176,62 +176,67 @@ assert.strictEqual(
 
 
 // test optional offset with passed encoding
-assert.equal(Buffer.from('aaaa0').indexOf('30', 'hex'), 4);
-assert.equal(Buffer.from('aaaa00a').indexOf('3030', 'hex'), 4);
+assert.strictEqual(Buffer.from('aaaa0').indexOf('30', 'hex'), 4);
+assert.strictEqual(Buffer.from('aaaa00a').indexOf('3030', 'hex'), 4);
 
 {
   // test usc2 encoding
   const twoByteString = Buffer.from('\u039a\u0391\u03a3\u03a3\u0395', 'ucs2');
 
-  assert.equal(8, twoByteString.indexOf('\u0395', 4, 'ucs2'));
-  assert.equal(6, twoByteString.indexOf('\u03a3', -4, 'ucs2'));
-  assert.equal(4, twoByteString.indexOf('\u03a3', -6, 'ucs2'));
-  assert.equal(4, twoByteString.indexOf(
+  assert.strictEqual(8, twoByteString.indexOf('\u0395', 4, 'ucs2'));
+  assert.strictEqual(6, twoByteString.indexOf('\u03a3', -4, 'ucs2'));
+  assert.strictEqual(4, twoByteString.indexOf('\u03a3', -6, 'ucs2'));
+  assert.strictEqual(4, twoByteString.indexOf(
     Buffer.from('\u03a3', 'ucs2'), -6, 'ucs2'));
-  assert.equal(-1, twoByteString.indexOf('\u03a3', -2, 'ucs2'));
+  assert.strictEqual(-1, twoByteString.indexOf('\u03a3', -2, 'ucs2'));
 }
 
 const mixedByteStringUcs2 =
     Buffer.from('\u039a\u0391abc\u03a3\u03a3\u0395', 'ucs2');
-assert.equal(6, mixedByteStringUcs2.indexOf('bc', 0, 'ucs2'));
-assert.equal(10, mixedByteStringUcs2.indexOf('\u03a3', 0, 'ucs2'));
-assert.equal(-1, mixedByteStringUcs2.indexOf('\u0396', 0, 'ucs2'));
+assert.strictEqual(6, mixedByteStringUcs2.indexOf('bc', 0, 'ucs2'));
+assert.strictEqual(10, mixedByteStringUcs2.indexOf('\u03a3', 0, 'ucs2'));
+assert.strictEqual(-1, mixedByteStringUcs2.indexOf('\u0396', 0, 'ucs2'));
 
-assert.equal(
+assert.strictEqual(
     6, mixedByteStringUcs2.indexOf(Buffer.from('bc', 'ucs2'), 0, 'ucs2'));
-assert.equal(
+assert.strictEqual(
     10, mixedByteStringUcs2.indexOf(Buffer.from('\u03a3', 'ucs2'), 0, 'ucs2'));
-assert.equal(
+assert.strictEqual(
     -1, mixedByteStringUcs2.indexOf(Buffer.from('\u0396', 'ucs2'), 0, 'ucs2'));
 
 {
   const twoByteString = Buffer.from('\u039a\u0391\u03a3\u03a3\u0395', 'ucs2');
 
   // Test single char pattern
-  assert.equal(0, twoByteString.indexOf('\u039a', 0, 'ucs2'));
-  assert.equal(2, twoByteString.indexOf('\u0391', 0, 'ucs2'), 'Alpha');
-  assert.equal(4, twoByteString.indexOf('\u03a3', 0, 'ucs2'), 'First Sigma');
-  assert.equal(6, twoByteString.indexOf('\u03a3', 6, 'ucs2'), 'Second Sigma');
-  assert.equal(8, twoByteString.indexOf('\u0395', 0, 'ucs2'), 'Epsilon');
-  assert.equal(-1, twoByteString.indexOf('\u0392', 0, 'ucs2'), 'Not beta');
+  assert.strictEqual(0, twoByteString.indexOf('\u039a', 0, 'ucs2'));
+  assert.strictEqual(2, twoByteString.indexOf('\u0391', 0, 'ucs2'),
+                     'Alpha');
+  assert.strictEqual(4, twoByteString.indexOf('\u03a3', 0, 'ucs2'),
+                     'First Sigma');
+  assert.strictEqual(6, twoByteString.indexOf('\u03a3', 6, 'ucs2'),
+                     'Second Sigma');
+  assert.strictEqual(8, twoByteString.indexOf('\u0395', 0, 'ucs2'),
+                     'Epsilon');
+  assert.strictEqual(-1, twoByteString.indexOf('\u0392', 0, 'ucs2'),
+                     'Not beta');
 
   // Test multi-char pattern
-  assert.equal(
+  assert.strictEqual(
       0, twoByteString.indexOf('\u039a\u0391', 0, 'ucs2'), 'Lambda Alpha');
-  assert.equal(
+  assert.strictEqual(
       2, twoByteString.indexOf('\u0391\u03a3', 0, 'ucs2'), 'Alpha Sigma');
-  assert.equal(
+  assert.strictEqual(
       4, twoByteString.indexOf('\u03a3\u03a3', 0, 'ucs2'), 'Sigma Sigma');
-  assert.equal(
+  assert.strictEqual(
       6, twoByteString.indexOf('\u03a3\u0395', 0, 'ucs2'), 'Sigma Epsilon');
 }
 
 const mixedByteStringUtf8 = Buffer.from('\u039a\u0391abc\u03a3\u03a3\u0395');
-assert.equal(5, mixedByteStringUtf8.indexOf('bc'));
-assert.equal(5, mixedByteStringUtf8.indexOf('bc', 5));
-assert.equal(5, mixedByteStringUtf8.indexOf('bc', -8));
-assert.equal(7, mixedByteStringUtf8.indexOf('\u03a3'));
-assert.equal(-1, mixedByteStringUtf8.indexOf('\u0396'));
+assert.strictEqual(5, mixedByteStringUtf8.indexOf('bc'));
+assert.strictEqual(5, mixedByteStringUtf8.indexOf('bc', 5));
+assert.strictEqual(5, mixedByteStringUtf8.indexOf('bc', -8));
+assert.strictEqual(7, mixedByteStringUtf8.indexOf('\u03a3'));
+assert.strictEqual(-1, mixedByteStringUtf8.indexOf('\u0396'));
 
 
 // Test complex string indexOf algorithms. Only trigger for long strings.
@@ -247,23 +252,25 @@ const longBufferString = Buffer.from(longString);
 let pattern = 'ABACABADABACABA';
 for (let i = 0; i < longBufferString.length - pattern.length; i += 7) {
   const index = longBufferString.indexOf(pattern, i);
-  assert.equal((i + 15) & ~0xf, index, 'Long ABACABA...-string at index ' + i);
+  assert.strictEqual((i + 15) & ~0xf, index,
+                     'Long ABACABA...-string at index ' + i);
 }
-assert.equal(510, longBufferString.indexOf('AJABACA'), 'Long AJABACA, First J');
-assert.equal(
+assert.strictEqual(510, longBufferString.indexOf('AJABACA'),
+                   'Long AJABACA, First J');
+assert.strictEqual(
     1534, longBufferString.indexOf('AJABACA', 511), 'Long AJABACA, Second J');
 
 pattern = 'JABACABADABACABA';
-assert.equal(
+assert.strictEqual(
     511, longBufferString.indexOf(pattern), 'Long JABACABA..., First J');
-assert.equal(
+assert.strictEqual(
     1535, longBufferString.indexOf(pattern, 512), 'Long JABACABA..., Second J');
 
 // Search for a non-ASCII string in a pure ASCII string.
 const asciiString = Buffer.from(
     'arglebargleglopglyfarglebargleglopglyfarglebargleglopglyf');
-assert.equal(-1, asciiString.indexOf('\x2061'));
-assert.equal(3, asciiString.indexOf('leb', 0));
+assert.strictEqual(-1, asciiString.indexOf('\x2061'));
+assert.strictEqual(3, asciiString.indexOf('leb', 0));
 
 // Search in string containing many non-ASCII chars.
 const allCodePoints = [];
@@ -274,8 +281,8 @@ const allCharsBufferUcs2 = Buffer.from(allCharsString, 'ucs2');
 
 // Search for string long enough to trigger complex search with ASCII pattern
 // and UC16 subject.
-assert.equal(-1, allCharsBufferUtf8.indexOf('notfound'));
-assert.equal(-1, allCharsBufferUcs2.indexOf('notfound'));
+assert.strictEqual(-1, allCharsBufferUtf8.indexOf('notfound'));
+assert.strictEqual(-1, allCharsBufferUcs2.indexOf('notfound'));
 
 // Needle is longer than haystack, but only because it's encoded as UTF-16
 assert.strictEqual(Buffer.from('aaaa').indexOf('a'.repeat(4), 'ucs2'), -1);
@@ -308,10 +315,10 @@ assert.strictEqual(Buffer.from('aaaaa').indexOf('b', 'ucs2'), -1);
       }
 
       const patternBufferUtf8 = allCharsBufferUtf8.slice(index, index + length);
-      assert.equal(index, allCharsBufferUtf8.indexOf(patternBufferUtf8));
+      assert.strictEqual(index, allCharsBufferUtf8.indexOf(patternBufferUtf8));
 
       const patternStringUtf8 = patternBufferUtf8.toString();
-      assert.equal(index, allCharsBufferUtf8.indexOf(patternStringUtf8));
+      assert.strictEqual(index, allCharsBufferUtf8.indexOf(patternStringUtf8));
     }
   }
 }
@@ -327,11 +334,11 @@ assert.strictEqual(Buffer.from('aaaaa').indexOf('b', 'ucs2'), -1);
 
       const patternBufferUcs2 =
           allCharsBufferUcs2.slice(index, index + length);
-      assert.equal(
+      assert.strictEqual(
           index, allCharsBufferUcs2.indexOf(patternBufferUcs2, 0, 'ucs2'));
 
       const patternStringUcs2 = patternBufferUcs2.toString('ucs2');
-      assert.equal(
+      assert.strictEqual(
           index, allCharsBufferUcs2.indexOf(patternStringUcs2, 0, 'ucs2'));
     }
   }
@@ -352,62 +359,62 @@ assert.throws(function() {
 
 // Test lastIndexOf basic functionality; Buffer b contains 'abcdef'.
 // lastIndexOf string:
-assert.equal(b.lastIndexOf('a'), 0);
-assert.equal(b.lastIndexOf('a', 1), 0);
-assert.equal(b.lastIndexOf('b', 1), 1);
-assert.equal(b.lastIndexOf('c', 1), -1);
-assert.equal(b.lastIndexOf('a', -1), 0);
-assert.equal(b.lastIndexOf('a', -4), 0);
-assert.equal(b.lastIndexOf('a', -b.length), 0);
-assert.equal(b.lastIndexOf('a', -b.length - 1), -1);
-assert.equal(b.lastIndexOf('a', NaN), 0);
-assert.equal(b.lastIndexOf('a', -Infinity), -1);
-assert.equal(b.lastIndexOf('a', Infinity), 0);
+assert.strictEqual(b.lastIndexOf('a'), 0);
+assert.strictEqual(b.lastIndexOf('a', 1), 0);
+assert.strictEqual(b.lastIndexOf('b', 1), 1);
+assert.strictEqual(b.lastIndexOf('c', 1), -1);
+assert.strictEqual(b.lastIndexOf('a', -1), 0);
+assert.strictEqual(b.lastIndexOf('a', -4), 0);
+assert.strictEqual(b.lastIndexOf('a', -b.length), 0);
+assert.strictEqual(b.lastIndexOf('a', -b.length - 1), -1);
+assert.strictEqual(b.lastIndexOf('a', NaN), 0);
+assert.strictEqual(b.lastIndexOf('a', -Infinity), -1);
+assert.strictEqual(b.lastIndexOf('a', Infinity), 0);
 // lastIndexOf Buffer:
-assert.equal(b.lastIndexOf(buf_a), 0);
-assert.equal(b.lastIndexOf(buf_a, 1), 0);
-assert.equal(b.lastIndexOf(buf_a, -1), 0);
-assert.equal(b.lastIndexOf(buf_a, -4), 0);
-assert.equal(b.lastIndexOf(buf_a, -b.length), 0);
-assert.equal(b.lastIndexOf(buf_a, -b.length - 1), -1);
-assert.equal(b.lastIndexOf(buf_a, NaN), 0);
-assert.equal(b.lastIndexOf(buf_a, -Infinity), -1);
-assert.equal(b.lastIndexOf(buf_a, Infinity), 0);
-assert.equal(b.lastIndexOf(buf_bc), 1);
-assert.equal(b.lastIndexOf(buf_bc, 2), 1);
-assert.equal(b.lastIndexOf(buf_bc, -1), 1);
-assert.equal(b.lastIndexOf(buf_bc, -3), 1);
-assert.equal(b.lastIndexOf(buf_bc, -5), 1);
-assert.equal(b.lastIndexOf(buf_bc, -6), -1);
-assert.equal(b.lastIndexOf(buf_bc, NaN), 1);
-assert.equal(b.lastIndexOf(buf_bc, -Infinity), -1);
-assert.equal(b.lastIndexOf(buf_bc, Infinity), 1);
-assert.equal(b.lastIndexOf(buf_f), b.length - 1);
-assert.equal(b.lastIndexOf(buf_z), -1);
-assert.equal(b.lastIndexOf(buf_empty), -1);
-assert.equal(b.lastIndexOf(buf_empty, 1), -1);
-assert.equal(b.lastIndexOf(buf_empty, b.length + 1), -1);
-assert.equal(b.lastIndexOf(buf_empty, Infinity), -1);
+assert.strictEqual(b.lastIndexOf(buf_a), 0);
+assert.strictEqual(b.lastIndexOf(buf_a, 1), 0);
+assert.strictEqual(b.lastIndexOf(buf_a, -1), 0);
+assert.strictEqual(b.lastIndexOf(buf_a, -4), 0);
+assert.strictEqual(b.lastIndexOf(buf_a, -b.length), 0);
+assert.strictEqual(b.lastIndexOf(buf_a, -b.length - 1), -1);
+assert.strictEqual(b.lastIndexOf(buf_a, NaN), 0);
+assert.strictEqual(b.lastIndexOf(buf_a, -Infinity), -1);
+assert.strictEqual(b.lastIndexOf(buf_a, Infinity), 0);
+assert.strictEqual(b.lastIndexOf(buf_bc), 1);
+assert.strictEqual(b.lastIndexOf(buf_bc, 2), 1);
+assert.strictEqual(b.lastIndexOf(buf_bc, -1), 1);
+assert.strictEqual(b.lastIndexOf(buf_bc, -3), 1);
+assert.strictEqual(b.lastIndexOf(buf_bc, -5), 1);
+assert.strictEqual(b.lastIndexOf(buf_bc, -6), -1);
+assert.strictEqual(b.lastIndexOf(buf_bc, NaN), 1);
+assert.strictEqual(b.lastIndexOf(buf_bc, -Infinity), -1);
+assert.strictEqual(b.lastIndexOf(buf_bc, Infinity), 1);
+assert.strictEqual(b.lastIndexOf(buf_f), b.length - 1);
+assert.strictEqual(b.lastIndexOf(buf_z), -1);
+assert.strictEqual(b.lastIndexOf(buf_empty), -1);
+assert.strictEqual(b.lastIndexOf(buf_empty, 1), -1);
+assert.strictEqual(b.lastIndexOf(buf_empty, b.length + 1), -1);
+assert.strictEqual(b.lastIndexOf(buf_empty, Infinity), -1);
 // lastIndexOf number:
-assert.equal(b.lastIndexOf(0x61), 0);
-assert.equal(b.lastIndexOf(0x61, 1), 0);
-assert.equal(b.lastIndexOf(0x61, -1), 0);
-assert.equal(b.lastIndexOf(0x61, -4), 0);
-assert.equal(b.lastIndexOf(0x61, -b.length), 0);
-assert.equal(b.lastIndexOf(0x61, -b.length - 1), -1);
-assert.equal(b.lastIndexOf(0x61, NaN), 0);
-assert.equal(b.lastIndexOf(0x61, -Infinity), -1);
-assert.equal(b.lastIndexOf(0x61, Infinity), 0);
-assert.equal(b.lastIndexOf(0x0), -1);
+assert.strictEqual(b.lastIndexOf(0x61), 0);
+assert.strictEqual(b.lastIndexOf(0x61, 1), 0);
+assert.strictEqual(b.lastIndexOf(0x61, -1), 0);
+assert.strictEqual(b.lastIndexOf(0x61, -4), 0);
+assert.strictEqual(b.lastIndexOf(0x61, -b.length), 0);
+assert.strictEqual(b.lastIndexOf(0x61, -b.length - 1), -1);
+assert.strictEqual(b.lastIndexOf(0x61, NaN), 0);
+assert.strictEqual(b.lastIndexOf(0x61, -Infinity), -1);
+assert.strictEqual(b.lastIndexOf(0x61, Infinity), 0);
+assert.strictEqual(b.lastIndexOf(0x0), -1);
 
 // Test weird offset arguments.
 // Behaviour should match String.lastIndexOf:
-assert.equal(b.lastIndexOf('b', 0), -1);
-assert.equal(b.lastIndexOf('b', undefined), 1);
-assert.equal(b.lastIndexOf('b', null), -1);
-assert.equal(b.lastIndexOf('b', {}), 1);
-assert.equal(b.lastIndexOf('b', []), -1);
-assert.equal(b.lastIndexOf('b', [2]), 1);
+assert.strictEqual(b.lastIndexOf('b', 0), -1);
+assert.strictEqual(b.lastIndexOf('b', undefined), 1);
+assert.strictEqual(b.lastIndexOf('b', null), -1);
+assert.strictEqual(b.lastIndexOf('b', {}), 1);
+assert.strictEqual(b.lastIndexOf('b', []), -1);
+assert.strictEqual(b.lastIndexOf('b', [2]), 1);
 
 // Test needles longer than the haystack.
 assert.strictEqual(b.lastIndexOf('aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa', 'ucs2'), -1);
@@ -435,20 +442,21 @@ assert.strictEqual(buf_bc.lastIndexOf(Buffer.from('你好'), 7), -1);
 
 // Test lastIndexOf on a longer buffer:
 const bufferString = new Buffer('a man a plan a canal panama');
-assert.equal(15, bufferString.lastIndexOf('canal'));
-assert.equal(21, bufferString.lastIndexOf('panama'));
-assert.equal(0, bufferString.lastIndexOf('a man a plan a canal panama'));
-assert.equal(-1, bufferString.lastIndexOf('a man a plan a canal mexico'));
-assert.equal(-1, bufferString.lastIndexOf('a man a plan a canal mexico city'));
-assert.equal(-1, bufferString.lastIndexOf(Buffer.from('a'.repeat(1000))));
-assert.equal(0, bufferString.lastIndexOf('a man a plan', 4));
-assert.equal(13, bufferString.lastIndexOf('a '));
-assert.equal(13, bufferString.lastIndexOf('a ', 13));
-assert.equal(6, bufferString.lastIndexOf('a ', 12));
-assert.equal(0, bufferString.lastIndexOf('a ', 5));
-assert.equal(13, bufferString.lastIndexOf('a ', -1));
-assert.equal(0, bufferString.lastIndexOf('a ', -27));
-assert.equal(-1, bufferString.lastIndexOf('a ', -28));
+assert.strictEqual(15, bufferString.lastIndexOf('canal'));
+assert.strictEqual(21, bufferString.lastIndexOf('panama'));
+assert.strictEqual(0, bufferString.lastIndexOf('a man a plan a canal panama'));
+assert.strictEqual(-1, bufferString.lastIndexOf('a man a plan a canal mexico'));
+assert.strictEqual(-1, bufferString
+  .lastIndexOf('a man a plan a canal mexico city'));
+assert.strictEqual(-1, bufferString.lastIndexOf(Buffer.from('a'.repeat(1000))));
+assert.strictEqual(0, bufferString.lastIndexOf('a man a plan', 4));
+assert.strictEqual(13, bufferString.lastIndexOf('a '));
+assert.strictEqual(13, bufferString.lastIndexOf('a ', 13));
+assert.strictEqual(6, bufferString.lastIndexOf('a ', 12));
+assert.strictEqual(0, bufferString.lastIndexOf('a ', 5));
+assert.strictEqual(13, bufferString.lastIndexOf('a ', -1));
+assert.strictEqual(0, bufferString.lastIndexOf('a ', -27));
+assert.strictEqual(-1, bufferString.lastIndexOf('a ', -28));
 
 // Test lastIndexOf for the case that the first character can be found,
 // but in a part of the buffer that does not make search to search
@@ -472,9 +480,9 @@ assert.strictEqual(0, Buffer.from('abc').lastIndexOf('ab', 3));
 // Now, we test the BOYER-MOORE-HORSPOOL strategy.
 // Test lastIndexOf on a long buffer w multiple matches:
 pattern = 'JABACABADABACABA';
-assert.equal(1535, longBufferString.lastIndexOf(pattern));
-assert.equal(1535, longBufferString.lastIndexOf(pattern, 1535));
-assert.equal(511, longBufferString.lastIndexOf(pattern, 1534));
+assert.strictEqual(1535, longBufferString.lastIndexOf(pattern));
+assert.strictEqual(1535, longBufferString.lastIndexOf(pattern, 1535));
+assert.strictEqual(511, longBufferString.lastIndexOf(pattern, 1534));
 
 // Finally, give it a really long input to trigger fallback from BMH to
 // regular BOYER-MOORE (which has better worst-case complexity).
@@ -496,19 +504,19 @@ for (let i = 0; i < 1000000; i++) {
   parts.push((countBits(i) % 2 === 0) ? 'yolo' : 'swag');
 }
 const reallyLong = new Buffer(parts.join(' '));
-assert.equal('yolo swag swag yolo', reallyLong.slice(0, 19).toString());
+assert.strictEqual('yolo swag swag yolo', reallyLong.slice(0, 19).toString());
 
 // Expensive reverse searches. Stress test lastIndexOf:
 pattern = reallyLong.slice(0, 100000);  // First 1/50th of the pattern.
-assert.equal(4751360, reallyLong.lastIndexOf(pattern));
-assert.equal(3932160, reallyLong.lastIndexOf(pattern, 4000000));
-assert.equal(2949120, reallyLong.lastIndexOf(pattern, 3000000));
+assert.strictEqual(4751360, reallyLong.lastIndexOf(pattern));
+assert.strictEqual(3932160, reallyLong.lastIndexOf(pattern, 4000000));
+assert.strictEqual(2949120, reallyLong.lastIndexOf(pattern, 3000000));
 pattern = reallyLong.slice(100000, 200000);  // Second 1/50th.
-assert.equal(4728480, reallyLong.lastIndexOf(pattern));
+assert.strictEqual(4728480, reallyLong.lastIndexOf(pattern));
 pattern = reallyLong.slice(0, 1000000);  // First 1/5th.
-assert.equal(3932160, reallyLong.lastIndexOf(pattern));
+assert.strictEqual(3932160, reallyLong.lastIndexOf(pattern));
 pattern = reallyLong.slice(0, 2000000);  // first 2/5ths.
-assert.equal(0, reallyLong.lastIndexOf(pattern));
+assert.strictEqual(0, reallyLong.lastIndexOf(pattern));
 
 // test truncation of Number arguments to uint8
 {
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-child-process-fork-net.js b/test/parallel/test-child-process-fork-net.js
index c66b808ec0..157704a9cc 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-child-process-fork-net.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-child-process-fork-net.js
@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ if (process.argv[2] === 'child') {
       });
       connect.on('close', function() {
         console.log('CLIENT: closed');
-        assert.equal(store, 'echo');
+        assert.strictEqual(store, 'echo');
         server.close();
       });
     });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-child-process-fork-net2.js b/test/parallel/test-child-process-fork-net2.js
index 6d20f41904..ef8575385a 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-child-process-fork-net2.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-child-process-fork-net2.js
@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@ if (process.argv[2] === 'child') {
   };
 
   process.on('exit', function() {
-    assert.equal(disconnected, count);
-    assert.equal(connected, count);
+    assert.strictEqual(disconnected, count);
+    assert.strictEqual(connected, count);
   });
 }
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-child-process-fork-ref.js b/test/parallel/test-child-process-fork-ref.js
index 1f8816c0cf..a7ff8c04cb 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-child-process-fork-ref.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-child-process-fork-ref.js
@@ -33,6 +33,6 @@ if (process.argv[2] === 'child') {
 
   child.once('exit', function() {
     assert.deepStrictEqual(ipc, ['1', '2']);
-    assert.equal(stdout, '3');
+    assert.strictEqual(stdout, '3');
   });
 }
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-child-process-ipc.js b/test/parallel/test-child-process-ipc.js
index cbaa270f5e..da952e6c9b 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-child-process-ipc.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-child-process-ipc.js
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ child.stdout.on('data', function(data) {
     child.stdin.write('echo me\r\n');
   } else {
     console.error('testing for echo me');
-    assert.equal('echo me\r\n', data);
+    assert.strictEqual('echo me\r\n', data);
     gotEcho = true;
     child.stdin.end();
   }
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-child-process-set-blocking.js b/test/parallel/test-child-process-set-blocking.js
index 54037aea69..d6a044619b 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-child-process-set-blocking.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-child-process-set-blocking.js
@@ -10,5 +10,5 @@ const cp = ch.spawn('python', ['-c', 'print ' + SIZE + ' * "C"'], {
 });
 
 cp.on('exit', common.mustCall(function(code) {
-  assert.equal(0, code);
+  assert.strictEqual(0, code);
 }));
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-child-process-spawnsync-env.js b/test/parallel/test-child-process-spawnsync-env.js
index 6f5ea3dc83..b5a1c72366 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-child-process-spawnsync-env.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-child-process-spawnsync-env.js
@@ -11,5 +11,5 @@ if (process.argv[2] === 'child') {
     env: Object.assign(process.env, { foo: expected })
   });
 
-  assert.equal(child.stdout.toString().trim(), expected);
+  assert.strictEqual(child.stdout.toString().trim(), expected);
 }
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-crypto-dh.js b/test/parallel/test-crypto-dh.js
index 2a06fc6e7b..b76e188bc6 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-crypto-dh.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-crypto-dh.js
@@ -19,9 +19,9 @@ let key2 = dh2.generateKeys('hex');
 let secret1 = dh1.computeSecret(key2, 'hex', 'base64');
 let secret2 = dh2.computeSecret(key1, 'latin1', 'buffer');
 
-assert.equal(secret1, secret2.toString('base64'));
-assert.equal(dh1.verifyError, 0);
-assert.equal(dh2.verifyError, 0);
+assert.strictEqual(secret1, secret2.toString('base64'));
+assert.strictEqual(dh1.verifyError, 0);
+assert.strictEqual(dh2.verifyError, 0);
 
 assert.throws(function() {
   crypto.createDiffieHellman([0x1, 0x2]);
@@ -50,11 +50,11 @@ assert.deepStrictEqual(dh1.getPrime(), dh3.getPrime());
 assert.deepStrictEqual(dh1.getGenerator(), dh3.getGenerator());
 assert.deepStrictEqual(dh1.getPublicKey(), dh3.getPublicKey());
 assert.deepStrictEqual(dh1.getPrivateKey(), dh3.getPrivateKey());
-assert.equal(dh3.verifyError, 0);
+assert.strictEqual(dh3.verifyError, 0);
 
 const secret3 = dh3.computeSecret(key2, 'hex', 'base64');
 
-assert.equal(secret1, secret3);
+assert.strictEqual(secret1, secret3);
 
 // Run this one twice to make sure that the dh3 clears its error properly
 {
@@ -78,9 +78,9 @@ alice.generateKeys();
 bob.generateKeys();
 const aSecret = alice.computeSecret(bob.getPublicKey()).toString('hex');
 const bSecret = bob.computeSecret(alice.getPublicKey()).toString('hex');
-assert.equal(aSecret, bSecret);
-assert.equal(alice.verifyError, DH_NOT_SUITABLE_GENERATOR);
-assert.equal(bob.verifyError, DH_NOT_SUITABLE_GENERATOR);
+assert.strictEqual(aSecret, bSecret);
+assert.strictEqual(alice.verifyError, DH_NOT_SUITABLE_GENERATOR);
+assert.strictEqual(bob.verifyError, DH_NOT_SUITABLE_GENERATOR);
 
 /* Ensure specific generator (buffer) works as expected.
  * The values below (modp2/modp2buf) are for a 1024 bits long prime from
@@ -107,9 +107,9 @@ exmodp2.generateKeys();
 let modp2Secret = modp2.computeSecret(exmodp2.getPublicKey()).toString('hex');
 const exmodp2Secret = exmodp2.computeSecret(modp2.getPublicKey())
                              .toString('hex');
-assert.equal(modp2Secret, exmodp2Secret);
-assert.equal(modp2.verifyError, DH_NOT_SUITABLE_GENERATOR);
-assert.equal(exmodp2.verifyError, DH_NOT_SUITABLE_GENERATOR);
+assert.strictEqual(modp2Secret, exmodp2Secret);
+assert.strictEqual(modp2.verifyError, DH_NOT_SUITABLE_GENERATOR);
+assert.strictEqual(exmodp2.verifyError, DH_NOT_SUITABLE_GENERATOR);
 
 
 // Ensure specific generator (string with encoding) works as expected.
@@ -118,8 +118,8 @@ exmodp2_2.generateKeys();
 modp2Secret = modp2.computeSecret(exmodp2_2.getPublicKey()).toString('hex');
 const exmodp2_2Secret = exmodp2_2.computeSecret(modp2.getPublicKey())
                                  .toString('hex');
-assert.equal(modp2Secret, exmodp2_2Secret);
-assert.equal(exmodp2_2.verifyError, DH_NOT_SUITABLE_GENERATOR);
+assert.strictEqual(modp2Secret, exmodp2_2Secret);
+assert.strictEqual(exmodp2_2.verifyError, DH_NOT_SUITABLE_GENERATOR);
 
 
 // Ensure specific generator (string without encoding) works as expected.
@@ -128,8 +128,8 @@ exmodp2_3.generateKeys();
 modp2Secret = modp2.computeSecret(exmodp2_3.getPublicKey()).toString('hex');
 const exmodp2_3Secret = exmodp2_3.computeSecret(modp2.getPublicKey())
                                .toString('hex');
-assert.equal(modp2Secret, exmodp2_3Secret);
-assert.equal(exmodp2_3.verifyError, DH_NOT_SUITABLE_GENERATOR);
+assert.strictEqual(modp2Secret, exmodp2_3Secret);
+assert.strictEqual(exmodp2_3.verifyError, DH_NOT_SUITABLE_GENERATOR);
 
 
 // Ensure specific generator (numeric) works as expected.
@@ -138,8 +138,8 @@ exmodp2_4.generateKeys();
 modp2Secret = modp2.computeSecret(exmodp2_4.getPublicKey()).toString('hex');
 const exmodp2_4Secret = exmodp2_4.computeSecret(modp2.getPublicKey())
                                .toString('hex');
-assert.equal(modp2Secret, exmodp2_4Secret);
-assert.equal(exmodp2_4.verifyError, DH_NOT_SUITABLE_GENERATOR);
+assert.strictEqual(modp2Secret, exmodp2_4Secret);
+assert.strictEqual(exmodp2_4.verifyError, DH_NOT_SUITABLE_GENERATOR);
 
 
 const p = 'FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFC90FDAA22168C234C4C6628B80DC1CD129024E088A67CC74' +
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ const p = 'FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFC90FDAA22168C234C4C6628B80DC1CD129024E088A67CC74' +
           '4FE1356D6D51C245E485B576625E7EC6F44C42E9A637ED6B0BFF5CB6F406B7ED' +
           'EE386BFB5A899FA5AE9F24117C4B1FE649286651ECE65381FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF';
 const bad_dh = crypto.createDiffieHellman(p, 'hex');
-assert.equal(bad_dh.verifyError, DH_NOT_SUITABLE_GENERATOR);
+assert.strictEqual(bad_dh.verifyError, DH_NOT_SUITABLE_GENERATOR);
 
 
 // Test ECDH
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ key2 = ecdh2.generateKeys('hex');
 secret1 = ecdh1.computeSecret(key2, 'hex', 'base64');
 secret2 = ecdh2.computeSecret(key1, 'latin1', 'buffer');
 
-assert.equal(secret1, secret2.toString('base64'));
+assert.strictEqual(secret1, secret2.toString('base64'));
 
 // Oakley curves do not clean up ERR stack, it was causing unexpected failure
 // when accessing other OpenSSL APIs afterwards.
@@ -166,7 +166,7 @@ crypto.createECDH('Oakley-EC2N-3');
 crypto.createHash('sha256');
 
 // Point formats
-assert.equal(ecdh1.getPublicKey('buffer', 'uncompressed')[0], 4);
+assert.strictEqual(ecdh1.getPublicKey('buffer', 'uncompressed')[0], 4);
 let firstByte = ecdh1.getPublicKey('buffer', 'compressed')[0];
 assert(firstByte === 2 || firstByte === 3);
 firstByte = ecdh1.getPublicKey('buffer', 'hybrid')[0];
@@ -210,9 +210,9 @@ const cafebabePubPtUnComp =
 '04672a31bfc59d3f04548ec9b7daeeba2f61814e8ccc40448045007f5479f693a3' +
 '2e02c7f93d13dc2732b760ca377a5897b9dd41a1c1b29dc0442fdce6d0a04d1d';
 ecdh5.setPrivateKey(cafebabeKey, 'hex');
-assert.equal(ecdh5.getPrivateKey('hex'), cafebabeKey);
+assert.strictEqual(ecdh5.getPrivateKey('hex'), cafebabeKey);
 // Show that the public point (key) is generated while setting the private key.
-assert.equal(ecdh5.getPublicKey('hex'), cafebabePubPtUnComp);
+assert.strictEqual(ecdh5.getPublicKey('hex'), cafebabePubPtUnComp);
 
 // Compressed and uncompressed public points/keys for other party's private key
 // 0xDEADBEEFDEADBEEFDEADBEEFDEADBEEFDEADBEEFDEADBEEFDEADBEEFDEADBEEF
@@ -225,24 +225,26 @@ const peerPubPtUnComp =
 const sharedSecret =
 '1da220b5329bbe8bfd19ceef5a5898593f411a6f12ea40f2a8eead9a5cf59970';
 
-assert.equal(ecdh5.computeSecret(peerPubPtComp, 'hex', 'hex'), sharedSecret);
-assert.equal(ecdh5.computeSecret(peerPubPtUnComp, 'hex', 'hex'), sharedSecret);
+assert.strictEqual(ecdh5.computeSecret(peerPubPtComp, 'hex', 'hex'),
+                   sharedSecret);
+assert.strictEqual(ecdh5.computeSecret(peerPubPtUnComp, 'hex', 'hex'),
+                   sharedSecret);
 
 // Verify that we still have the same key pair as before the computation.
-assert.equal(ecdh5.getPrivateKey('hex'), cafebabeKey);
-assert.equal(ecdh5.getPublicKey('hex'), cafebabePubPtUnComp);
+assert.strictEqual(ecdh5.getPrivateKey('hex'), cafebabeKey);
+assert.strictEqual(ecdh5.getPublicKey('hex'), cafebabePubPtUnComp);
 
 // Verify setting and getting compressed and non-compressed serializations.
 ecdh5.setPublicKey(cafebabePubPtComp, 'hex');
-assert.equal(ecdh5.getPublicKey('hex'), cafebabePubPtUnComp);
-assert.equal(ecdh5.getPublicKey('hex', 'compressed'), cafebabePubPtComp);
+assert.strictEqual(ecdh5.getPublicKey('hex'), cafebabePubPtUnComp);
+assert.strictEqual(ecdh5.getPublicKey('hex', 'compressed'), cafebabePubPtComp);
 ecdh5.setPublicKey(cafebabePubPtUnComp, 'hex');
-assert.equal(ecdh5.getPublicKey('hex'), cafebabePubPtUnComp);
-assert.equal(ecdh5.getPublicKey('hex', 'compressed'), cafebabePubPtComp);
+assert.strictEqual(ecdh5.getPublicKey('hex'), cafebabePubPtUnComp);
+assert.strictEqual(ecdh5.getPublicKey('hex', 'compressed'), cafebabePubPtComp);
 
 // Show why allowing the public key to be set on this type does not make sense.
 ecdh5.setPublicKey(peerPubPtComp, 'hex');
-assert.equal(ecdh5.getPublicKey('hex'), peerPubPtUnComp);
+assert.strictEqual(ecdh5.getPublicKey('hex'), peerPubPtUnComp);
 assert.throws(function() {
   // Error because the public key does not match the private key anymore.
   ecdh5.computeSecret(peerPubPtComp, 'hex', 'hex');
@@ -261,5 +263,5 @@ ecdh5.setPrivateKey(cafebabeKey, 'hex');
     ecdh5.setPrivateKey(element, 'hex');
   }, /Private key is not valid for specified curve/);
   // Verify object state did not change.
-  assert.equal(ecdh5.getPrivateKey('hex'), cafebabeKey);
+  assert.strictEqual(ecdh5.getPrivateKey('hex'), cafebabeKey);
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-crypto-domains.js b/test/parallel/test-crypto-domains.js
index 2749382fa5..d0dcf7f210 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-crypto-domains.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-crypto-domains.js
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ if (!common.hasCrypto) {
 const crypto = require('crypto');
 
 d.on('error', common.mustCall(function(e) {
-  assert.equal(e.message, expect.shift());
+  assert.strictEqual(e.message, expect.shift());
 }, 3));
 
 d.run(function() {
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-dh-padding.js b/test/parallel/test-dh-padding.js
index 1d9d47ec0e..4744d20473 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-dh-padding.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-dh-padding.js
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ const p = crypto.createDiffieHellman(
 p.setPublicKey(apub, 'hex');
 p.setPrivateKey(apriv, 'hex');
 
-assert.equal(
+assert.strictEqual(
   p.computeSecret(bpub, 'hex', 'hex').toString('hex'),
   secret
 );
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-domain-nested.js b/test/parallel/test-domain-nested.js
index d0618b5bad..6d673adc7e 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-domain-nested.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-domain-nested.js
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ const assert = require('assert');
 const domain = require('domain');
 
 process.on('exit', function(c) {
-  assert.equal(domain._stack.length, 0);
+  assert.strictEqual(domain._stack.length, 0);
 });
 
 domain.create().run(function() {
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-event-emitter-prepend.js b/test/parallel/test-event-emitter-prepend.js
index 5a3b66b0cb..b511af9ae3 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-event-emitter-prepend.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-event-emitter-prepend.js
@@ -7,13 +7,14 @@ const assert = require('assert');
 const myEE = new EventEmitter();
 let m = 0;
 // This one comes last.
-myEE.on('foo', common.mustCall(() => assert.equal(m, 2)));
+myEE.on('foo', common.mustCall(() => assert.strictEqual(m, 2)));
 
 // This one comes second.
-myEE.prependListener('foo', common.mustCall(() => assert.equal(m++, 1)));
+myEE.prependListener('foo', common.mustCall(() => assert.strictEqual(m++, 1)));
 
 // This one comes first.
-myEE.prependOnceListener('foo', common.mustCall(() => assert.equal(m++, 0)));
+myEE.prependOnceListener('foo',
+                         common.mustCall(() => assert.strictEqual(m++, 0)));
 
 myEE.emit('foo');
 
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-event-emitter-subclass.js b/test/parallel/test-event-emitter-subclass.js
index d35802b413..eb2018e78e 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-event-emitter-subclass.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-event-emitter-subclass.js
@@ -43,4 +43,4 @@ const ee2 = new MyEE2();
 
 ee1.on('x', function() {});
 
-assert.equal(ee2.listenerCount('x'), 0);
+assert.strictEqual(ee2.listenerCount('x'), 0);
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-fs-error-messages.js b/test/parallel/test-fs-error-messages.js
index 1a05ef80a4..f2ea85531b 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-fs-error-messages.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-fs-error-messages.js
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ const existingDir2 = path.join(common.fixturesDir, 'keys');
 // ASYNC_CALL
 
 fs.stat(fn, function(err) {
-  assert.equal(fn, err.path);
+  assert.strictEqual(fn, err.path);
   assert.ok(0 <= err.message.indexOf(fn));
 });
 
@@ -204,7 +204,7 @@ try {
 }
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(expected, errors.length,
-               'Test fs sync exceptions raised, got ' + errors.length +
+  assert.strictEqual(expected, errors.length,
+                     'Test fs sync exceptions raised, got ' + errors.length +
                ' expected ' + expected);
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-fs-mkdir-rmdir.js b/test/parallel/test-fs-mkdir-rmdir.js
index 0bddf673ec..bac18fc027 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-fs-mkdir-rmdir.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-fs-mkdir-rmdir.js
@@ -29,8 +29,8 @@ fs.mkdir(d, 0o666, function(err) {
 
   fs.mkdir(d, 0o666, function(err) {
     assert.ok(err.message.match(/^EEXIST/), 'got EEXIST message');
-    assert.equal(err.code, 'EEXIST', 'got EEXIST code');
-    assert.equal(err.path, d, 'got proper path for EEXIST');
+    assert.strictEqual(err.code, 'EEXIST', 'got EEXIST code');
+    assert.strictEqual(err.path, d, 'got proper path for EEXIST');
 
     fs.rmdir(d, assert.ifError);
   });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-fs-mkdir.js b/test/parallel/test-fs-mkdir.js
index 6202311022..73fc899ce5 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-fs-mkdir.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-fs-mkdir.js
@@ -33,8 +33,8 @@ common.refreshTmpDir();
   unlink(pathname);
 
   fs.mkdir(pathname, 0o777, common.mustCall(function(err) {
-    assert.equal(err, null);
-    assert.equal(common.fileExists(pathname), true);
+    assert.strictEqual(err, null);
+    assert.strictEqual(common.fileExists(pathname), true);
   }));
 
   process.on('exit', function() {
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-fs-mkdtemp.js b/test/parallel/test-fs-mkdtemp.js
index c387090989..d4773aa37b 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-fs-mkdtemp.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-fs-mkdtemp.js
@@ -14,8 +14,8 @@ assert.strictEqual(path.basename(tmpFolder).length, 'foo.XXXXXX'.length);
 assert(common.fileExists(tmpFolder));
 
 const utf8 = fs.mkdtempSync(path.join(common.tmpDir, '\u0222abc.'));
-assert.equal(Buffer.byteLength(path.basename(utf8)),
-             Buffer.byteLength('\u0222abc.XXXXXX'));
+assert.strictEqual(Buffer.byteLength(path.basename(utf8)),
+                   Buffer.byteLength('\u0222abc.XXXXXX'));
 assert(common.fileExists(utf8));
 
 function handler(err, folder) {
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-fs-open-flags.js b/test/parallel/test-fs-open-flags.js
index e15d36c249..bc1b3e4ed1 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-fs-open-flags.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-fs-open-flags.js
@@ -15,21 +15,21 @@ const O_WRONLY = fs.constants.O_WRONLY || 0;
 
 const { stringToFlags } = require('internal/fs');
 
-assert.equal(stringToFlags('r'), O_RDONLY);
-assert.equal(stringToFlags('r+'), O_RDWR);
-assert.equal(stringToFlags('w'), O_TRUNC | O_CREAT | O_WRONLY);
-assert.equal(stringToFlags('w+'), O_TRUNC | O_CREAT | O_RDWR);
-assert.equal(stringToFlags('a'), O_APPEND | O_CREAT | O_WRONLY);
-assert.equal(stringToFlags('a+'), O_APPEND | O_CREAT | O_RDWR);
-
-assert.equal(stringToFlags('wx'), O_TRUNC | O_CREAT | O_WRONLY | O_EXCL);
-assert.equal(stringToFlags('xw'), O_TRUNC | O_CREAT | O_WRONLY | O_EXCL);
-assert.equal(stringToFlags('wx+'), O_TRUNC | O_CREAT | O_RDWR | O_EXCL);
-assert.equal(stringToFlags('xw+'), O_TRUNC | O_CREAT | O_RDWR | O_EXCL);
-assert.equal(stringToFlags('ax'), O_APPEND | O_CREAT | O_WRONLY | O_EXCL);
-assert.equal(stringToFlags('xa'), O_APPEND | O_CREAT | O_WRONLY | O_EXCL);
-assert.equal(stringToFlags('ax+'), O_APPEND | O_CREAT | O_RDWR | O_EXCL);
-assert.equal(stringToFlags('xa+'), O_APPEND | O_CREAT | O_RDWR | O_EXCL);
+assert.strictEqual(stringToFlags('r'), O_RDONLY);
+assert.strictEqual(stringToFlags('r+'), O_RDWR);
+assert.strictEqual(stringToFlags('w'), O_TRUNC | O_CREAT | O_WRONLY);
+assert.strictEqual(stringToFlags('w+'), O_TRUNC | O_CREAT | O_RDWR);
+assert.strictEqual(stringToFlags('a'), O_APPEND | O_CREAT | O_WRONLY);
+assert.strictEqual(stringToFlags('a+'), O_APPEND | O_CREAT | O_RDWR);
+
+assert.strictEqual(stringToFlags('wx'), O_TRUNC | O_CREAT | O_WRONLY | O_EXCL);
+assert.strictEqual(stringToFlags('xw'), O_TRUNC | O_CREAT | O_WRONLY | O_EXCL);
+assert.strictEqual(stringToFlags('wx+'), O_TRUNC | O_CREAT | O_RDWR | O_EXCL);
+assert.strictEqual(stringToFlags('xw+'), O_TRUNC | O_CREAT | O_RDWR | O_EXCL);
+assert.strictEqual(stringToFlags('ax'), O_APPEND | O_CREAT | O_WRONLY | O_EXCL);
+assert.strictEqual(stringToFlags('xa'), O_APPEND | O_CREAT | O_WRONLY | O_EXCL);
+assert.strictEqual(stringToFlags('ax+'), O_APPEND | O_CREAT | O_RDWR | O_EXCL);
+assert.strictEqual(stringToFlags('xa+'), O_APPEND | O_CREAT | O_RDWR | O_EXCL);
 
 ('+ +a +r +w rw wa war raw r++ a++ w++ x +x x+ rx rx+ wxx wax xwx xxx')
   .split(' ')
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-fs-read-stream.js b/test/parallel/test-fs-read-stream.js
index d4fad6e6f7..d17703fabe 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-fs-read-stream.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-fs-read-stream.js
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ file.on('close', function() {
   assert.strictEqual(file.bytesRead, fileSize);
   callbacks.close++;
 
-  //assert.equal(fs.readFileSync(fn), fileContent);
+  //assert.strictEqual(fs.readFileSync(fn), fileContent);
 });
 
 const file3 = fs.createReadStream(fn, {encoding: 'utf8'});
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-fs-read-zero-length.js b/test/parallel/test-fs-read-zero-length.js
index 35b1f7b566..4c7dd73f60 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-fs-read-zero-length.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-fs-read-zero-length.js
@@ -10,10 +10,10 @@ const bufferAsync = Buffer.alloc(0);
 const bufferSync = Buffer.alloc(0);
 
 fs.read(fd, bufferAsync, 0, 0, 0, common.mustCall(function(err, bytesRead) {
-  assert.equal(bytesRead, 0);
+  assert.strictEqual(bytesRead, 0);
   assert.deepStrictEqual(bufferAsync, Buffer.alloc(0));
 }));
 
 const r = fs.readSync(fd, bufferSync, 0, 0, 0);
 assert.deepStrictEqual(bufferSync, Buffer.alloc(0));
-assert.equal(r, 0);
+assert.strictEqual(r, 0);
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-fs-readdir-ucs2.js b/test/parallel/test-fs-readdir-ucs2.js
index 53b16de4b9..4d5f53abd8 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-fs-readdir-ucs2.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-fs-readdir-ucs2.js
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ fs.closeSync(fs.openSync(fullpath, 'w+'));
 
 fs.readdir(common.tmpDir, 'ucs2', (err, list) => {
   assert.ifError(err);
-  assert.equal(1, list.length);
+  assert.strictEqual(1, list.length);
   const fn = list[0];
   assert.deepStrictEqual(filebuff, Buffer.from(fn, 'ucs2'));
   assert.strictEqual(fn, filename);
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-fs-readdir.js b/test/parallel/test-fs-readdir.js
index f38ae49c90..57612f3e26 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-fs-readdir.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-fs-readdir.js
@@ -31,5 +31,5 @@ assert.throws(function() {
 }, /Error: ENOTDIR: not a directory/);
 
 fs.readdir(__filename, common.mustCall(function(e) {
-  assert.equal(e.code, 'ENOTDIR');
+  assert.strictEqual(e.code, 'ENOTDIR');
 }));
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-fs-realpath.js b/test/parallel/test-fs-realpath.js
index a444bf4984..aeb48e1edb 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-fs-realpath.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-fs-realpath.js
@@ -508,6 +508,6 @@ function runTest() {
 
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(numtests, testsRun);
-  assert.equal(async_completed, async_expected);
+  assert.strictEqual(numtests, testsRun);
+  assert.strictEqual(async_completed, async_expected);
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-fs-stat.js b/test/parallel/test-fs-stat.js
index 32ba47c2fe..00fcc1df21 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-fs-stat.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-fs-stat.js
@@ -57,25 +57,25 @@ fs.stat(__filename, common.mustCall(function(err, s) {
   console.dir(s);
 
   console.log('isDirectory: ' + JSON.stringify(s.isDirectory()));
-  assert.equal(false, s.isDirectory());
+  assert.strictEqual(false, s.isDirectory());
 
   console.log('isFile: ' + JSON.stringify(s.isFile()));
-  assert.equal(true, s.isFile());
+  assert.strictEqual(true, s.isFile());
 
   console.log('isSocket: ' + JSON.stringify(s.isSocket()));
-  assert.equal(false, s.isSocket());
+  assert.strictEqual(false, s.isSocket());
 
   console.log('isBlockDevice: ' + JSON.stringify(s.isBlockDevice()));
-  assert.equal(false, s.isBlockDevice());
+  assert.strictEqual(false, s.isBlockDevice());
 
   console.log('isCharacterDevice: ' + JSON.stringify(s.isCharacterDevice()));
-  assert.equal(false, s.isCharacterDevice());
+  assert.strictEqual(false, s.isCharacterDevice());
 
   console.log('isFIFO: ' + JSON.stringify(s.isFIFO()));
-  assert.equal(false, s.isFIFO());
+  assert.strictEqual(false, s.isFIFO());
 
   console.log('isSymbolicLink: ' + JSON.stringify(s.isSymbolicLink()));
-  assert.equal(false, s.isSymbolicLink());
+  assert.strictEqual(false, s.isSymbolicLink());
 
   assert.ok(s.mtime instanceof Date);
 }));
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-fs-sync-fd-leak.js b/test/parallel/test-fs-sync-fd-leak.js
index 353519593e..75125d6c67 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-fs-sync-fd-leak.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-fs-sync-fd-leak.js
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ fs.openSync = function() {
   return 42;
 };
 fs.closeSync = function(fd) {
-  assert.equal(fd, 42);
+  assert.strictEqual(fd, 42);
   close_called++;
 };
 fs.readSync = function() {
@@ -40,10 +40,10 @@ function ensureThrows(cb) {
   try {
     cb();
   } catch (e) {
-    assert.equal(e.message, 'BAM');
+    assert.strictEqual(e.message, 'BAM');
     got_exception = true;
   }
 
-  assert.equal(close_called, 1);
-  assert.equal(got_exception, true);
+  assert.strictEqual(close_called, 1);
+  assert.strictEqual(got_exception, true);
 }
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-fs-watch-enoent.js b/test/parallel/test-fs-watch-enoent.js
index f9aa58c3d5..38f10e1430 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-fs-watch-enoent.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-fs-watch-enoent.js
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ assert.throws(function() {
 }, function(err) {
   assert(err);
   assert(/non-existent-file/.test(err));
-  assert.equal(err.filename, 'non-existent-file');
+  assert.strictEqual(err.filename, 'non-existent-file');
   return true;
 });
 
@@ -16,6 +16,6 @@ const watcher = fs.watch(__filename);
 watcher.on('error', common.mustCall(function(err) {
   assert(err);
   assert(/non-existent-file/.test(err));
-  assert.equal(err.filename, 'non-existent-file');
+  assert.strictEqual(err.filename, 'non-existent-file');
 }));
 watcher._handle.onchange(-1, 'ENOENT', 'non-existent-file');
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-fs-watch-stop-async.js b/test/parallel/test-fs-watch-stop-async.js
index 5cbfd58418..56350430bc 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-fs-watch-stop-async.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-fs-watch-stop-async.js
@@ -12,8 +12,8 @@ const listener = common.mustCall(() => {
 triggered = false;
 watch.once('stop', listener);  // Should trigger.
 watch.stop();
-assert.equal(triggered, false);
+assert.strictEqual(triggered, false);
 setImmediate(() => {
-  assert.equal(triggered, true);
+  assert.strictEqual(triggered, true);
   watch.removeListener('stop', listener);
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-fs-write-stream-change-open.js b/test/parallel/test-fs-write-stream-change-open.js
index f68cc0a6d3..146b507a48 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-fs-write-stream-change-open.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-fs-write-stream-change-open.js
@@ -29,5 +29,5 @@ stream.write('foo');
 stream.end();
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(fs.open, _fs_open);
+  assert.strictEqual(fs.open, _fs_open);
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-fs-write-stream-err.js b/test/parallel/test-fs-write-stream-err.js
index d50fd07103..4a2b3cd130 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-fs-write-stream-err.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-fs-write-stream-err.js
@@ -33,14 +33,14 @@ fs.write = function() {
 
 fs.close = common.mustCall(function(fd_, cb) {
   console.error('fs.close', fd_, stream.fd);
-  assert.equal(fd_, stream.fd);
+  assert.strictEqual(fd_, stream.fd);
   process.nextTick(cb);
 });
 
 stream.on('error', common.mustCall(function(err_) {
   console.error('error handler');
-  assert.equal(stream.fd, null);
-  assert.equal(err_, err);
+  assert.strictEqual(stream.fd, null);
+  assert.strictEqual(err_, err);
 }));
 
 
@@ -48,6 +48,6 @@ stream.write(Buffer.allocUnsafe(256), function() {
   console.error('first cb');
   stream.write(Buffer.allocUnsafe(256), common.mustCall(function(err_) {
     console.error('second cb');
-    assert.equal(err_, err);
+    assert.strictEqual(err_, err);
   }));
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-fs-write-string-coerce.js b/test/parallel/test-fs-write-string-coerce.js
index 2694312b86..8251a45766 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-fs-write-string-coerce.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-fs-write-string-coerce.js
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ fs.open(fn, 'w', 0o644, common.mustCall(function(err, fd) {
   fs.write(fd, data, 0, 'utf8', common.mustCall(function(err, written) {
     console.log('write done');
     assert.ifError(err);
-    assert.equal(Buffer.byteLength(expected), written);
+    assert.strictEqual(Buffer.byteLength(expected), written);
     fs.closeSync(fd);
     const found = fs.readFileSync(fn, 'utf8');
     console.log('expected: "%s"', expected);
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-abort-queued.js b/test/parallel/test-http-abort-queued.js
index 8e8339aa82..60dde248df 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-abort-queued.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-abort-queued.js
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ let complete;
 const server = http.createServer(function(req, res) {
   // We should not see the queued /thatotherone request within the server
   // as it should be aborted before it is sent.
-  assert.equal(req.url, '/');
+  assert.strictEqual(req.url, '/');
 
   res.writeHead(200);
   res.write('foo');
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ server.listen(0, function() {
   console.log('listen', server.address().port);
 
   const agent = new http.Agent({maxSockets: 1});
-  assert.equal(Object.keys(agent.sockets).length, 0);
+  assert.strictEqual(Object.keys(agent.sockets).length, 0);
 
   const options = {
     hostname: 'localhost',
@@ -35,8 +35,8 @@ server.listen(0, function() {
 
   const req1 = http.request(options);
   req1.on('response', function(res1) {
-    assert.equal(Object.keys(agent.sockets).length, 1);
-    assert.equal(Object.keys(agent.requests).length, 0);
+    assert.strictEqual(Object.keys(agent.sockets).length, 1);
+    assert.strictEqual(Object.keys(agent.requests).length, 0);
 
     const req2 = http.request({
       method: 'GET',
@@ -45,19 +45,19 @@ server.listen(0, function() {
       path: '/thatotherone',
       agent: agent
     });
-    assert.equal(Object.keys(agent.sockets).length, 1);
-    assert.equal(Object.keys(agent.requests).length, 1);
+    assert.strictEqual(Object.keys(agent.sockets).length, 1);
+    assert.strictEqual(Object.keys(agent.requests).length, 1);
 
     req2.on('error', function(err) {
       // This is expected in response to our explicit abort call
-      assert.equal(err.code, 'ECONNRESET');
+      assert.strictEqual(err.code, 'ECONNRESET');
     });
 
     req2.end();
     req2.abort();
 
-    assert.equal(Object.keys(agent.sockets).length, 1);
-    assert.equal(Object.keys(agent.requests).length, 1);
+    assert.strictEqual(Object.keys(agent.sockets).length, 1);
+    assert.strictEqual(Object.keys(agent.requests).length, 1);
 
     console.log('Got res: ' + res1.statusCode);
     console.dir(res1.headers);
@@ -72,8 +72,8 @@ server.listen(0, function() {
       console.log('Response ended.');
 
       setTimeout(function() {
-        assert.equal(Object.keys(agent.sockets).length, 0);
-        assert.equal(Object.keys(agent.requests).length, 0);
+        assert.strictEqual(Object.keys(agent.sockets).length, 0);
+        assert.strictEqual(Object.keys(agent.requests).length, 0);
 
         server.close();
       }, 100);
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-agent-error-on-idle.js b/test/parallel/test-http-agent-error-on-idle.js
index b2bf6334dc..23fa4dddfa 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-agent-error-on-idle.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-agent-error-on-idle.js
@@ -23,13 +23,13 @@ server.listen(0, function() {
   const socketKey = agent.getName(requestParams);
 
   get(function(res) {
-    assert.equal(res.statusCode, 200);
+    assert.strictEqual(res.statusCode, 200);
     res.resume();
     res.on('end', function() {
       process.nextTick(function() {
         const freeSockets = agent.freeSockets[socketKey];
-        assert.equal(freeSockets.length, 1,
-                     'expect a free socket on ' + socketKey);
+        assert.strictEqual(freeSockets.length, 1,
+                           'expect a free socket on ' + socketKey);
 
         //generate a random error on the free socket
         const freeSocket = freeSockets[0];
@@ -45,8 +45,8 @@ server.listen(0, function() {
   }
 
   function done() {
-    assert.equal(Object.keys(agent.freeSockets).length, 0,
-                 'expect the freeSockets pool to be empty');
+    assert.strictEqual(Object.keys(agent.freeSockets).length, 0,
+                       'expect the freeSockets pool to be empty');
 
     agent.destroy();
     server.close();
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-agent-keepalive.js b/test/parallel/test-http-agent-keepalive.js
index a78f97edec..9ea3fd7677 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-agent-keepalive.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-agent-keepalive.js
@@ -37,22 +37,22 @@ function get(path, callback) {
 }
 
 function checkDataAndSockets(body) {
-  assert.equal(body.toString(), 'hello world');
-  assert.equal(agent.sockets[name].length, 1);
-  assert.equal(agent.freeSockets[name], undefined);
+  assert.strictEqual(body.toString(), 'hello world');
+  assert.strictEqual(agent.sockets[name].length, 1);
+  assert.strictEqual(agent.freeSockets[name], undefined);
 }
 
 function second() {
   // request second, use the same socket
   get('/second', function(res) {
-    assert.equal(res.statusCode, 200);
+    assert.strictEqual(res.statusCode, 200);
     res.on('data', checkDataAndSockets);
     res.on('end', function() {
-      assert.equal(agent.sockets[name].length, 1);
-      assert.equal(agent.freeSockets[name], undefined);
+      assert.strictEqual(agent.sockets[name].length, 1);
+      assert.strictEqual(agent.freeSockets[name], undefined);
       process.nextTick(function() {
-        assert.equal(agent.sockets[name], undefined);
-        assert.equal(agent.freeSockets[name].length, 1);
+        assert.strictEqual(agent.sockets[name], undefined);
+        assert.strictEqual(agent.freeSockets[name].length, 1);
         remoteClose();
       });
     });
@@ -65,16 +65,16 @@ function remoteClose() {
     assert.deepStrictEqual(res.statusCode, 200);
     res.on('data', checkDataAndSockets);
     res.on('end', function() {
-      assert.equal(agent.sockets[name].length, 1);
-      assert.equal(agent.freeSockets[name], undefined);
+      assert.strictEqual(agent.sockets[name].length, 1);
+      assert.strictEqual(agent.freeSockets[name], undefined);
       process.nextTick(function() {
-        assert.equal(agent.sockets[name], undefined);
-        assert.equal(agent.freeSockets[name].length, 1);
+        assert.strictEqual(agent.sockets[name], undefined);
+        assert.strictEqual(agent.freeSockets[name].length, 1);
         // waitting remote server close the socket
         setTimeout(function() {
-          assert.equal(agent.sockets[name], undefined);
-          assert.equal(agent.freeSockets[name], undefined,
-                       'freeSockets is not empty');
+          assert.strictEqual(agent.sockets[name], undefined);
+          assert.strictEqual(agent.freeSockets[name], undefined,
+                             'freeSockets is not empty');
           remoteError();
         }, common.platformTimeout(200));
       });
@@ -89,13 +89,13 @@ function remoteError() {
   });
   req.on('error', function(err) {
     assert.ok(err);
-    assert.equal(err.message, 'socket hang up');
-    assert.equal(agent.sockets[name].length, 1);
-    assert.equal(agent.freeSockets[name], undefined);
+    assert.strictEqual(err.message, 'socket hang up');
+    assert.strictEqual(agent.sockets[name].length, 1);
+    assert.strictEqual(agent.freeSockets[name], undefined);
     // Wait socket 'close' event emit
     setTimeout(function() {
-      assert.equal(agent.sockets[name], undefined);
-      assert.equal(agent.freeSockets[name], undefined);
+      assert.strictEqual(agent.sockets[name], undefined);
+      assert.strictEqual(agent.freeSockets[name], undefined);
       done();
     }, common.platformTimeout(1));
   });
@@ -110,14 +110,14 @@ server.listen(0, function() {
   name = `localhost:${server.address().port}:`;
   // request first, and keep alive
   get('/first', function(res) {
-    assert.equal(res.statusCode, 200);
+    assert.strictEqual(res.statusCode, 200);
     res.on('data', checkDataAndSockets);
     res.on('end', function() {
-      assert.equal(agent.sockets[name].length, 1);
-      assert.equal(agent.freeSockets[name], undefined);
+      assert.strictEqual(agent.sockets[name].length, 1);
+      assert.strictEqual(agent.freeSockets[name], undefined);
       process.nextTick(function() {
-        assert.equal(agent.sockets[name], undefined);
-        assert.equal(agent.freeSockets[name].length, 1);
+        assert.strictEqual(agent.sockets[name], undefined);
+        assert.strictEqual(agent.freeSockets[name].length, 1);
         second();
       });
     });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-agent-maxsockets.js b/test/parallel/test-http-agent-maxsockets.js
index 6814aca3e7..fc7618c5c0 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-agent-maxsockets.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-agent-maxsockets.js
@@ -29,15 +29,15 @@ function done() {
     return;
   }
   const freepool = agent.freeSockets[Object.keys(agent.freeSockets)[0]];
-  assert.equal(freepool.length, 2,
-               'expect keep 2 free sockets, but got ' + freepool.length);
+  assert.strictEqual(freepool.length, 2,
+                     'expect keep 2 free sockets, but got ' + freepool.length);
   agent.destroy();
   server.close();
 }
 
 server.listen(0, function() {
   get('/1', function(res) {
-    assert.equal(res.statusCode, 200);
+    assert.strictEqual(res.statusCode, 200);
     res.resume();
     res.on('end', function() {
       process.nextTick(done);
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ server.listen(0, function() {
   });
 
   get('/2', function(res) {
-    assert.equal(res.statusCode, 200);
+    assert.strictEqual(res.statusCode, 200);
     res.resume();
     res.on('end', function() {
       process.nextTick(done);
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-agent.js b/test/parallel/test-http-agent.js
index 85975979cb..cfb37539ed 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-agent.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-agent.js
@@ -35,5 +35,5 @@ server.listen(0, function() {
 
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(N * M, responses);
+  assert.strictEqual(N * M, responses);
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-automatic-headers.js b/test/parallel/test-http-automatic-headers.js
index 5fc8d780af..37a5c43901 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-automatic-headers.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-automatic-headers.js
@@ -18,13 +18,13 @@ server.on('listening', function() {
     path: '/hello',
     agent: agent
   }, function(res) {
-    assert.equal(res.statusCode, 200);
-    assert.equal(res.headers['x-date'], 'foo');
-    assert.equal(res.headers['x-connection'], 'bar');
-    assert.equal(res.headers['x-content-length'], 'baz');
+    assert.strictEqual(res.statusCode, 200);
+    assert.strictEqual(res.headers['x-date'], 'foo');
+    assert.strictEqual(res.headers['x-connection'], 'bar');
+    assert.strictEqual(res.headers['x-content-length'], 'baz');
     assert(res.headers['date']);
-    assert.equal(res.headers['connection'], 'keep-alive');
-    assert.equal(res.headers['content-length'], '0');
+    assert.strictEqual(res.headers['connection'], 'keep-alive');
+    assert.strictEqual(res.headers['content-length'], '0');
     server.close();
     agent.destroy();
   });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-blank-header.js b/test/parallel/test-http-blank-header.js
index 2a6bf48207..edd8923fa8 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-blank-header.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-blank-header.js
@@ -5,8 +5,8 @@ const http = require('http');
 const net = require('net');
 
 const server = http.createServer(common.mustCall(function(req, res) {
-  assert.equal('GET', req.method);
-  assert.equal('/blah', req.url);
+  assert.strictEqual('GET', req.method);
+  assert.strictEqual('/blah', req.url);
   assert.deepStrictEqual({
     host: 'mapdevel.trolologames.ru:443',
     origin: 'http://mapdevel.trolologames.ru',
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-buffer-sanity.js b/test/parallel/test-http-buffer-sanity.js
index c240cd13b1..4226f1c652 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-buffer-sanity.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-buffer-sanity.js
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ const web = http.Server(function(req, res) {
     process.stdout.write(',');
     measuredSize += d.length;
     for (let j = 0; j < d.length; j++) {
-      assert.equal(buffer[i], d[j]);
+      assert.strictEqual(buffer[i], d[j]);
       i++;
     }
   });
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ web.listen(0, common.mustCall(function() {
     console.log('Got response');
     res.setEncoding('utf8');
     res.on('data', common.mustCall(function(string) {
-      assert.equal('thanks', string);
+      assert.strictEqual('thanks', string);
     }));
   }));
   req.end(buffer);
@@ -62,5 +62,5 @@ web.listen(0, common.mustCall(function() {
 
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(bufferSize, measuredSize);
+  assert.strictEqual(bufferSize, measuredSize);
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-catch-uncaughtexception.js b/test/parallel/test-http-catch-uncaughtexception.js
index 06d9b9a6e5..1366b6e26e 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-catch-uncaughtexception.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-catch-uncaughtexception.js
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ const assert = require('assert');
 const http = require('http');
 
 const uncaughtCallback = common.mustCall(function(er) {
-  assert.equal(er.message, 'get did fail');
+  assert.strictEqual(er.message, 'get did fail');
 });
 
 process.on('uncaughtException', uncaughtCallback);
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-chunk-problem.js b/test/parallel/test-http-chunk-problem.js
index 82e8534af9..0ffd71813e 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-chunk-problem.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-chunk-problem.js
@@ -52,8 +52,8 @@ function executeRequest(cb) {
            'shasum' ].join(' '),
           (err, stdout, stderr) => {
             assert.ifError(err);
-            assert.equal('8c206a1a87599f532ce68675536f0b1546900d7a',
-                         stdout.slice(0, 40));
+            assert.strictEqual('8c206a1a87599f532ce68675536f0b1546900d7a',
+                               stdout.slice(0, 40));
             cb();
           }
   );
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-chunked.js b/test/parallel/test-http-chunked.js
index 5165232211..b70a704bb7 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-chunked.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-chunked.js
@@ -30,9 +30,9 @@ server.listen(0, function() {
       throw e;
     });
     x.on('end', function() {
-      assert.equal('string', typeof data);
+      assert.strictEqual('string', typeof data);
       console.log('here is the response:');
-      assert.equal(UTF8_STRING, data);
+      assert.strictEqual(UTF8_STRING, data);
       console.log(data);
       server.close();
     });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-client-abort.js b/test/parallel/test-http-client-abort.js
index 738c620815..5c5b319bfa 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-client-abort.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-client-abort.js
@@ -51,5 +51,5 @@ server.listen(0, function() {
 });
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(N, clientAborts);
+  assert.strictEqual(N, clientAborts);
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-client-agent.js b/test/parallel/test-http-client-agent.js
index 3c2b9c8972..277c7a33ae 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-client-agent.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-client-agent.js
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ function request(i) {
     socket.on('close', function() {
       ++count;
       if (count < max) {
-        assert.equal(http.globalAgent.sockets[name].indexOf(socket), -1);
+        assert.strictEqual(http.globalAgent.sockets[name].indexOf(socket), -1);
       } else {
         assert(!http.globalAgent.sockets.hasOwnProperty(name));
         assert(!http.globalAgent.requests.hasOwnProperty(name));
@@ -46,5 +46,5 @@ function request(i) {
 }
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(count, max);
+  assert.strictEqual(count, max);
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-client-get-url.js b/test/parallel/test-http-client-get-url.js
index 9311110bdc..aa37055050 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-client-get-url.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-client-get-url.js
@@ -6,8 +6,8 @@ const url = require('url');
 const URL = url.URL;
 
 const server = http.createServer(common.mustCall(function(req, res) {
-  assert.equal('GET', req.method);
-  assert.equal('/foo?bar', req.url);
+  assert.strictEqual('GET', req.method);
+  assert.strictEqual('/foo?bar', req.url);
   res.writeHead(200, {'Content-Type': 'text/plain'});
   res.write('hello\n');
   res.end();
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-client-parse-error.js b/test/parallel/test-http-client-parse-error.js
index 0d8f577a78..e649f983a5 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-client-parse-error.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-client-parse-error.js
@@ -27,13 +27,13 @@ net.createServer(function(c) {
     }).on('error', function(e) {
       console.log('got error from client');
       assert.ok(e.message.indexOf('Parse Error') >= 0);
-      assert.equal(e.code, 'HPE_INVALID_CONSTANT');
+      assert.strictEqual(e.code, 'HPE_INVALID_CONSTANT');
       parseErrors++;
     }).end();
   }
 });
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(connects, 2);
-  assert.equal(parseErrors, 2);
+  assert.strictEqual(connects, 2);
+  assert.strictEqual(parseErrors, 2);
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-client-race-2.js b/test/parallel/test-http-client-race-2.js
index d9e89b85ec..24475059c5 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-client-race-2.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-client-race-2.js
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ server.on('listening', function() {
 });
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(body1_s, body1);
-  assert.equal(body2_s, body2);
-  assert.equal(body3_s, body3);
+  assert.strictEqual(body1_s, body1);
+  assert.strictEqual(body2_s, body2);
+  assert.strictEqual(body3_s, body3);
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-client-race.js b/test/parallel/test-http-client-race.js
index 14e3300f20..f761050737 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-client-race.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-client-race.js
@@ -41,6 +41,6 @@ server.on('listening', function() {
 });
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(body1_s, body1);
-  assert.equal(body2_s, body2);
+  assert.strictEqual(body1_s, body1);
+  assert.strictEqual(body2_s, body2);
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-client-reject-chunked-with-content-length.js b/test/parallel/test-http-client-reject-chunked-with-content-length.js
index daa0591cd7..3d99f6ef40 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-client-reject-chunked-with-content-length.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-client-reject-chunked-with-content-length.js
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ server.listen(0, () => {
   });
   req.on('error', common.mustCall((err) => {
     assert(/^Parse Error/.test(err.message));
-    assert.equal(err.code, 'HPE_UNEXPECTED_CONTENT_LENGTH');
+    assert.strictEqual(err.code, 'HPE_UNEXPECTED_CONTENT_LENGTH');
     server.close();
   }));
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-client-reject-cr-no-lf.js b/test/parallel/test-http-client-reject-cr-no-lf.js
index 4cabfa0107..23530cbc7a 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-client-reject-cr-no-lf.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-client-reject-cr-no-lf.js
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ server.listen(0, () => {
   });
   req.on('error', common.mustCall((err) => {
     assert(/^Parse Error/.test(err.message));
-    assert.equal(err.code, 'HPE_LF_EXPECTED');
+    assert.strictEqual(err.code, 'HPE_LF_EXPECTED');
     server.close();
   }));
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-client-response-domain.js b/test/parallel/test-http-client-response-domain.js
index eb8b226ace..20babf51a9 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-client-response-domain.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-client-response-domain.js
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ server.listen(common.PIPE, function() {
 function test() {
 
   d.on('error', common.mustCall(function(err) {
-    assert.equal('should be caught by domain', err.message);
+    assert.strictEqual('should be caught by domain', err.message);
   }));
 
   const req = http.get({
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-client-upload-buf.js b/test/parallel/test-http-client-upload-buf.js
index 338aab9cc5..208de06e8e 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-client-upload-buf.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-client-upload-buf.js
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ const http = require('http');
 const N = 1024;
 
 const server = http.createServer(common.mustCall(function(req, res) {
-  assert.equal('POST', req.method);
+  assert.strictEqual('POST', req.method);
 
   let bytesReceived = 0;
 
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-client-upload.js b/test/parallel/test-http-client-upload.js
index ba60681776..474dc333d1 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-client-upload.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-client-upload.js
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ const assert = require('assert');
 const http = require('http');
 
 const server = http.createServer(common.mustCall(function(req, res) {
-  assert.equal('POST', req.method);
+  assert.strictEqual('POST', req.method);
   req.setEncoding('utf8');
 
   let sent_body = '';
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-conn-reset.js b/test/parallel/test-http-conn-reset.js
index f7f08a6bf4..ae04c41aff 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-conn-reset.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-conn-reset.js
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ function onListen() {
     assert.ok(false, 'this should never run');
   });
   req.on('error', common.mustCall(function(err) {
-    assert.equal(err.code, 'ECONNRESET');
+    assert.strictEqual(err.code, 'ECONNRESET');
   }));
   req.end();
 }
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-connect-req-res.js b/test/parallel/test-http-connect-req-res.js
index 0b1ca4630a..45881f0d7d 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-connect-req-res.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-connect-req-res.js
@@ -5,8 +5,8 @@ const http = require('http');
 
 const server = http.createServer(common.fail);
 server.on('connect', common.mustCall(function(req, socket, firstBodyChunk) {
-  assert.equal(req.method, 'CONNECT');
-  assert.equal(req.url, 'example.com:443');
+  assert.strictEqual(req.method, 'CONNECT');
+  assert.strictEqual(req.url, 'example.com:443');
   console.error('Server got CONNECT request');
 
   // It is legal for the server to send some data intended for the client
@@ -46,19 +46,19 @@ server.listen(0, common.mustCall(function() {
     // Make sure this socket has detached.
     assert(!socket.ondata);
     assert(!socket.onend);
-    assert.equal(socket.listeners('connect').length, 0);
-    assert.equal(socket.listeners('data').length, 0);
+    assert.strictEqual(socket.listeners('connect').length, 0);
+    assert.strictEqual(socket.listeners('data').length, 0);
 
     let data = firstBodyChunk.toString();
 
     // test that the firstBodyChunk was not parsed as HTTP
-    assert.equal(data, 'Head');
+    assert.strictEqual(data, 'Head');
 
     socket.on('data', function(buf) {
       data += buf.toString();
     });
     socket.on('end', function() {
-      assert.equal(data, 'HeadRequestEnd');
+      assert.strictEqual(data, 'HeadRequestEnd');
       server.close();
     });
     socket.end('End');
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-createConnection.js b/test/parallel/test-http-createConnection.js
index 69592eb09f..279d702279 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-createConnection.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-createConnection.js
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ const server = http.createServer(common.mustCall(function(req, res) {
           http.get({ createConnection: fn }, function(res) {
             common.fail('Unexpected response callback');
           }).on('error', common.mustCall(function(err) {
-            assert.equal(err.message, 'Could not create socket');
+            assert.strictEqual(err.message, 'Could not create socket');
             server.close();
           }));
         });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-default-encoding.js b/test/parallel/test-http-default-encoding.js
index 4632708518..2c41328749 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-default-encoding.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-default-encoding.js
@@ -33,5 +33,5 @@ server.listen(0, function() {
 });
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(expected, result);
+  assert.strictEqual(expected, result);
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-default-port.js b/test/parallel/test-http-default-port.js
index d26150f4a8..146e5846c1 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-default-port.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-default-port.js
@@ -29,8 +29,8 @@ process.on('exit', function() {
 });
 
 http.createServer(function(req, res) {
-  assert.equal(req.headers.host, hostExpect);
-  assert.equal(req.headers['x-port'], this.address().port);
+  assert.strictEqual(req.headers.host, hostExpect);
+  assert.strictEqual(req.headers['x-port'], this.address().port.toString());
   res.writeHead(200);
   res.end('ok');
   this.close();
@@ -49,8 +49,8 @@ http.createServer(function(req, res) {
 
 if (common.hasCrypto) {
   https.createServer(options, function(req, res) {
-    assert.equal(req.headers.host, hostExpect);
-    assert.equal(req.headers['x-port'], this.address().port);
+    assert.strictEqual(req.headers.host, hostExpect);
+    assert.strictEqual(req.headers['x-port'], this.address().port.toString());
     res.writeHead(200);
     res.end('ok');
     this.close();
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-destroyed-socket-write2.js b/test/parallel/test-http-destroyed-socket-write2.js
index 01023a0885..59e0eeecfc 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-destroyed-socket-write2.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-destroyed-socket-write2.js
@@ -47,8 +47,8 @@ server.listen(0, function() {
         break;
     }
 
-    assert.equal(req.output.length, 0);
-    assert.equal(req.outputEncodings.length, 0);
+    assert.strictEqual(req.output.length, 0);
+    assert.strictEqual(req.outputEncodings.length, 0);
     server.close();
   }));
 
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-double-content-length.js b/test/parallel/test-http-double-content-length.js
index f6c13becfd..fdc79fb74e 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-double-content-length.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-double-content-length.js
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ const server = http.createServer((req, res) => {
 });
 server.on('clientError', common.mustCall((err, socket) => {
   assert(/^Parse Error/.test(err.message));
-  assert.equal(err.code, 'HPE_UNEXPECTED_CONTENT_LENGTH');
+  assert.strictEqual(err.code, 'HPE_UNEXPECTED_CONTENT_LENGTH');
   socket.destroy();
 }));
 
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-expect-continue.js b/test/parallel/test-http-expect-continue.js
index 0cf90e3b11..01f285d29e 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-expect-continue.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-expect-continue.js
@@ -10,7 +10,8 @@ let sent_continue = false;
 let got_continue = false;
 
 function handler(req, res) {
-  assert.equal(sent_continue, true, 'Full response sent before 100 Continue');
+  assert.strictEqual(sent_continue, true, 'Full response sent before ' +
+                     '100 Continue');
   console.error('Server sending full response...');
   res.writeHead(200, {
     'Content-Type': 'text/plain',
@@ -47,15 +48,15 @@ server.on('listening', function() {
     req.end(test_req_body);
   });
   req.on('response', function(res) {
-    assert.equal(got_continue, true,
-                 'Full response received before 100 Continue');
-    assert.equal(200, res.statusCode,
-                 'Final status code was ' + res.statusCode + ', not 200.');
+    assert.strictEqual(got_continue, true,
+                       'Full response received before 100 Continue');
+    assert.strictEqual(200, res.statusCode, 'Final status code was ' +
+                       res.statusCode + ', not 200.');
     res.setEncoding('utf8');
     res.on('data', function(chunk) { body += chunk; });
     res.on('end', function() {
       console.error('Got full response.');
-      assert.equal(body, test_res_body, 'Response body doesn\'t match.');
+      assert.strictEqual(body, test_res_body, 'Response body doesn\'t match.');
       assert.ok('abcd' in res.headers, 'Response headers missing.');
       outstanding_reqs--;
       if (outstanding_reqs === 0) {
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-expect-handling.js b/test/parallel/test-http-expect-handling.js
index f1f1284731..fed715bc2a 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-expect-handling.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-expect-handling.js
@@ -37,8 +37,8 @@ function nextTest() {
   http.get(options, function(response) {
     console.log('client: expected status: ' + test);
     console.log('client: statusCode: ' + response.statusCode);
-    assert.equal(response.statusCode, test);
-    assert.equal(response.statusMessage, 'Expectation Failed');
+    assert.strictEqual(response.statusCode, test);
+    assert.strictEqual(response.statusMessage, 'Expectation Failed');
 
     response.on('end', function() {
       testsComplete++;
@@ -51,5 +51,5 @@ function nextTest() {
 
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(2, testsComplete);
+  assert.strictEqual(2, testsComplete);
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-extra-response.js b/test/parallel/test-http-extra-response.js
index 6ebecaad13..5e994134c2 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-extra-response.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-extra-response.js
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ const server = net.createServer(function(socket) {
   });
 
   socket.on('error', function(err) {
-    assert.equal(err.code, 'ECONNRESET');
+    assert.strictEqual(err.code, 'ECONNRESET');
   });
 });
 
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ server.listen(0, common.mustCall(function() {
 
     res.on('end', common.mustCall(function() {
       console.log('Response ended, read ' + buffer.length + ' bytes');
-      assert.equal(body, buffer);
+      assert.strictEqual(body, buffer);
       server.close();
     }));
   }));
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-flush-headers.js b/test/parallel/test-http-flush-headers.js
index c2b382188a..8ca5e92e5e 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-flush-headers.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-flush-headers.js
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ const http = require('http');
 
 const server = http.createServer();
 server.on('request', function(req, res) {
-  assert.equal(req.headers['foo'], 'bar');
+  assert.strictEqual(req.headers['foo'], 'bar');
   res.end('ok');
   server.close();
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-flush-response-headers.js b/test/parallel/test-http-flush-response-headers.js
index ea7d2d97b4..bfc43a602b 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-flush-response-headers.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-flush-response-headers.js
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ server.listen(0, common.localhostIPv4, function() {
   req.end();
 
   function onResponse(res) {
-    assert.equal(res.headers['foo'], 'bar');
+    assert.strictEqual(res.headers['foo'], 'bar');
     res.destroy();
     server.close();
   }
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-full-response.js b/test/parallel/test-http-full-response.js
index c834c6e654..881734ceb1 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-full-response.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-full-response.js
@@ -38,8 +38,8 @@ function runAb(opts, callback) {
     m = /HTML transferred:\s*(\d+) bytes/mi.exec(stdout);
     const htmlTransfered = parseInt(m[1]);
 
-    assert.equal(bodyLength, documentLength);
-    assert.equal(completeRequests * documentLength, htmlTransfered);
+    assert.strictEqual(bodyLength, documentLength);
+    assert.strictEqual(completeRequests * documentLength, htmlTransfered);
 
     if (callback) callback();
   });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-get-pipeline-problem.js b/test/parallel/test-http-get-pipeline-problem.js
index 15c96a9a4e..56bfb33456 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-get-pipeline-problem.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-get-pipeline-problem.js
@@ -74,8 +74,8 @@ function checkFiles() {
     const fn = i + '.jpg';
     assert.ok(files.indexOf(fn) >= 0, "couldn't find '" + fn + "'");
     const stat = fs.statSync(common.tmpDir + '/' + fn);
-    assert.equal(image.length, stat.size,
-                 "size doesn't match on '" + fn +
+    assert.strictEqual(image.length, stat.size,
+                       "size doesn't match on '" + fn +
                  "'. Got " + stat.size + ' bytes');
   }
 
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ function checkFiles() {
 
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(total, requests);
-  assert.equal(total, responses);
+  assert.strictEqual(total, requests);
+  assert.strictEqual(total, responses);
   assert.ok(checkedFiles);
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-header-read.js b/test/parallel/test-http-header-read.js
index 3d9e756d50..5465fd30f2 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-header-read.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-header-read.js
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ const s = http.createServer(function(req, res) {
   // and does not throw an exception (Issue 752)
   assert.doesNotThrow(
       function() {
-        assert.equal(plain, res.getHeader(contentType));
+        assert.strictEqual(plain, res.getHeader(contentType));
       }
   );
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-host-headers.js b/test/parallel/test-http-host-headers.js
index 0f6233190c..c127b3375b 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-host-headers.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-host-headers.js
@@ -7,10 +7,10 @@ const httpServer = http.createServer(reqHandler);
 function reqHandler(req, res) {
   console.log('Got request: ' + req.headers.host + ' ' + req.url);
   if (req.url === '/setHostFalse5') {
-    assert.equal(req.headers.host, undefined);
+    assert.strictEqual(req.headers.host, undefined);
   } else {
-    assert.equal(req.headers.host, `localhost:${this.address().port}`,
-                 'Wrong host header for req[' + req.url + ']: ' +
+    assert.strictEqual(req.headers.host, `localhost:${this.address().port}`,
+                       'Wrong host header for req[' + req.url + ']: ' +
                  req.headers.host);
   }
   res.writeHead(200, {});
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-keep-alive-close-on-header.js b/test/parallel/test-http-keep-alive-close-on-header.js
index 15d5d62d42..b36fb2e8db 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-keep-alive-close-on-header.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-keep-alive-close-on-header.js
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ server.listen(0, function() {
     port: this.address().port,
     agent: agent
   }, function(res) {
-    assert.equal(1, agent.sockets[name].length);
+    assert.strictEqual(1, agent.sockets[name].length);
     res.resume();
   });
   request.on('socket', function(s) {
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ server.listen(0, function() {
     port: this.address().port,
     agent: agent
   }, function(res) {
-    assert.equal(1, agent.sockets[name].length);
+    assert.strictEqual(1, agent.sockets[name].length);
     res.resume();
   });
   request.on('socket', function(s) {
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ server.listen(0, function() {
     agent: agent
   }, function(response) {
     response.on('end', function() {
-      assert.equal(1, agent.sockets[name].length);
+      assert.strictEqual(1, agent.sockets[name].length);
       server.close();
     });
     response.resume();
@@ -73,5 +73,5 @@ server.listen(0, function() {
 });
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(3, connectCount);
+  assert.strictEqual(3, connectCount);
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-keepalive-client.js b/test/parallel/test-http-keepalive-client.js
index c9cf7bba96..eaefa3887c 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-keepalive-client.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-keepalive-client.js
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ let serverSocket = null;
 const server = http.createServer(function(req, res) {
   // They should all come in on the same server socket.
   if (serverSocket) {
-    assert.equal(req.socket, serverSocket);
+    assert.strictEqual(req.socket, serverSocket);
   } else {
     serverSocket = req.socket;
   }
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ function makeRequest(n) {
 
   req.on('socket', function(sock) {
     if (clientSocket) {
-      assert.equal(sock, clientSocket);
+      assert.strictEqual(sock, clientSocket);
     } else {
       clientSocket = sock;
     }
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ function makeRequest(n) {
       data += c;
     });
     res.on('end', function() {
-      assert.equal(data, '/' + n);
+      assert.strictEqual(data, '/' + n);
       setTimeout(function() {
         actualRequests++;
         makeRequest(n - 1);
@@ -68,6 +68,6 @@ function makeRequest(n) {
 }
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(actualRequests, expectRequests);
+  assert.strictEqual(actualRequests, expectRequests);
   console.log('ok');
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-keepalive-maxsockets.js b/test/parallel/test-http-keepalive-maxsockets.js
index 14e9e88ef7..0d684a43f7 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-keepalive-maxsockets.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-keepalive-maxsockets.js
@@ -22,17 +22,17 @@ server.listen(0, function() {
   let closed = false;
   makeReqs(10, function(er) {
     assert.ifError(er);
-    assert.equal(count(agent.freeSockets), 2);
-    assert.equal(count(agent.sockets), 0);
-    assert.equal(serverSockets.length, 5);
+    assert.strictEqual(count(agent.freeSockets), 2);
+    assert.strictEqual(count(agent.sockets), 0);
+    assert.strictEqual(serverSockets.length, 5);
 
     // now make 10 more reqs.
     // should use the 2 free reqs from the pool first.
     makeReqs(10, function(er) {
       assert.ifError(er);
-      assert.equal(count(agent.freeSockets), 2);
-      assert.equal(count(agent.sockets), 0);
-      assert.equal(serverSockets.length, 8);
+      assert.strictEqual(count(agent.freeSockets), 2);
+      assert.strictEqual(count(agent.sockets), 0);
+      assert.strictEqual(serverSockets.length, 8);
 
       agent.destroy();
       server.close(function() {
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ server.listen(0, function() {
         data += c;
       });
       res.on('end', function() {
-        assert.equal(data, '/' + i);
+        assert.strictEqual(data, '/' + i);
         cb();
       });
     }).end();
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-keepalive-request.js b/test/parallel/test-http-keepalive-request.js
index dc9bdefb33..5f53f6d999 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-keepalive-request.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-keepalive-request.js
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ let serverSocket = null;
 const server = http.createServer(function(req, res) {
   // They should all come in on the same server socket.
   if (serverSocket) {
-    assert.equal(req.socket, serverSocket);
+    assert.strictEqual(req.socket, serverSocket);
   } else {
     serverSocket = req.socket;
   }
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ function makeRequest(n) {
 
   req.on('socket', function(sock) {
     if (clientSocket) {
-      assert.equal(sock, clientSocket);
+      assert.strictEqual(sock, clientSocket);
     } else {
       clientSocket = sock;
     }
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ function makeRequest(n) {
       data += c;
     });
     res.on('end', function() {
-      assert.equal(data, '/' + n);
+      assert.strictEqual(data, '/' + n);
       setTimeout(function() {
         actualRequests++;
         makeRequest(n - 1);
@@ -68,6 +68,6 @@ function makeRequest(n) {
 }
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(actualRequests, expectRequests);
+  assert.strictEqual(actualRequests, expectRequests);
   console.log('ok');
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-localaddress.js b/test/parallel/test-http-localaddress.js
index e8df688886..d48a4ec8f5 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-localaddress.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-localaddress.js
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ if (!common.hasMultiLocalhost()) {
 
 const server = http.createServer(function(req, res) {
   console.log('Connect from: ' + req.connection.remoteAddress);
-  assert.equal('127.0.0.2', req.connection.remoteAddress);
+  assert.strictEqual('127.0.0.2', req.connection.remoteAddress);
 
   req.on('end', function() {
     res.writeHead(200, { 'Content-Type': 'text/plain' });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-malformed-request.js b/test/parallel/test-http-malformed-request.js
index a36c9fdbe2..93aff802c7 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-malformed-request.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-malformed-request.js
@@ -31,5 +31,5 @@ server.on('listening', function() {
 });
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(nrequests_expected, nrequests_completed);
+  assert.strictEqual(nrequests_expected, nrequests_completed);
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-max-headers-count.js b/test/parallel/test-http-max-headers-count.js
index 018ed33c1b..fd92637f7a 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-max-headers-count.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-max-headers-count.js
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ let max = maxAndExpected[requests][0];
 let expected = maxAndExpected[requests][1];
 
 const server = http.createServer(function(req, res) {
-  assert.equal(Object.keys(req.headers).length, expected);
+  assert.strictEqual(Object.keys(req.headers).length, expected);
   if (++requests < maxAndExpected.length) {
     max = maxAndExpected[requests][0];
     expected = maxAndExpected[requests][1];
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ server.listen(0, function() {
       port: server.address().port,
       headers: headers
     }, function(res) {
-      assert.equal(Object.keys(res.headers).length, expected);
+      assert.strictEqual(Object.keys(res.headers).length, expected);
       res.on('end', function() {
         if (++responses < maxAndExpected.length) {
           doRequest();
@@ -63,6 +63,6 @@ server.listen(0, function() {
 });
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(requests, maxAndExpected.length);
-  assert.equal(responses, maxAndExpected.length);
+  assert.strictEqual(requests, maxAndExpected.length);
+  assert.strictEqual(responses, maxAndExpected.length);
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-multi-line-headers.js b/test/parallel/test-http-multi-line-headers.js
index 2096f533a1..f7998c2548 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-multi-line-headers.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-multi-line-headers.js
@@ -27,8 +27,8 @@ server.listen(0, common.mustCall(function() {
     host: '127.0.0.1',
     port: this.address().port
   }, common.mustCall(function(res) {
-    assert.equal(res.headers['content-type'],
-                 'text/plain; x-unix-mode=0600; name="hello.txt"');
+    assert.strictEqual(res.headers['content-type'],
+                       'text/plain; x-unix-mode=0600; name="hello.txt"');
     res.destroy();
   }));
 }));
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-parser-bad-ref.js b/test/parallel/test-http-parser-bad-ref.js
index 69682128fa..97b4685e18 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-parser-bad-ref.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-parser-bad-ref.js
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ demoBug('POST /1/22 HTTP/1.1\r\n' +
 /* eslint-enable align-function-arguments */
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(2, headersComplete);
-  assert.equal(2, messagesComplete);
+  assert.strictEqual(2, headersComplete);
+  assert.strictEqual(2, messagesComplete);
   console.log('done!');
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-parser-free.js b/test/parallel/test-http-parser-free.js
index 80cc3cc64e..aff0fa6198 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-parser-free.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-parser-free.js
@@ -31,5 +31,5 @@ server.listen(0, function() {
 });
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(responses, N);
+  assert.strictEqual(responses, N);
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-parser.js b/test/parallel/test-http-parser.js
index e1215fbd13..de7302e60d 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-parser.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-parser.js
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ function mustCall(f, times) {
 
   process.setMaxListeners(256);
   process.on('exit', function() {
-    assert.equal(actual, times || 1);
+    assert.strictEqual(actual, times || 1);
   });
 
   return function() {
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ function mustCall(f, times) {
 function expectBody(expected) {
   return mustCall(function(buf, start, len) {
     const body = '' + buf.slice(start, start + len);
-    assert.equal(body, expected);
+    assert.strictEqual(body, expected);
   });
 }
 
@@ -535,10 +535,10 @@ function expectBody(expected) {
   const onHeadersComplete1 = function(versionMajor, versionMinor, headers,
                                       method, url, statusCode, statusMessage,
                                       upgrade, shouldKeepAlive) {
-    assert.equal(method, methods.indexOf('PUT'));
-    assert.equal(url, '/this');
-    assert.equal(versionMajor, 1);
-    assert.equal(versionMinor, 1);
+    assert.strictEqual(method, methods.indexOf('PUT'));
+    assert.strictEqual(url, '/this');
+    assert.strictEqual(versionMajor, 1);
+    assert.strictEqual(versionMinor, 1);
     assert.deepStrictEqual(
         headers,
         ['Content-Type', 'text/plain', 'Transfer-Encoding', 'chunked']);
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-pause.js b/test/parallel/test-http-pause.js
index 8bb8dd4b5d..440cab413c 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-pause.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-pause.js
@@ -50,6 +50,6 @@ server.listen(0, function() {
 });
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(expectedServer, resultServer);
-  assert.equal(expectedClient, resultClient);
+  assert.strictEqual(expectedServer, resultServer);
+  assert.strictEqual(expectedClient, resultClient);
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-pipeline-regr-2639.js b/test/parallel/test-http-pipeline-regr-2639.js
index 7933e419d3..133e412668 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-pipeline-regr-2639.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-pipeline-regr-2639.js
@@ -29,5 +29,5 @@ const server = http.createServer(function(req, res) {
 });
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(received, COUNT);
+  assert.strictEqual(received, COUNT);
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-pipeline-regr-3332.js b/test/parallel/test-http-pipeline-regr-3332.js
index 3ab9e6104c..b34ad49985 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-pipeline-regr-3332.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-pipeline-regr-3332.js
@@ -36,5 +36,5 @@ process.on('exit', function() {
   // The server should pause connection on pipeline flood, but it shoul still
   // resume it and finish processing the requests, when its output queue will
   // be empty again.
-  assert.equal(received, COUNT);
+  assert.strictEqual(received, COUNT);
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-proxy.js b/test/parallel/test-http-proxy.js
index 8e7fd55a0e..91dce932dc 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-proxy.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-proxy.js
@@ -29,8 +29,8 @@ const proxy = http.createServer(function(req, res) {
 
     console.error('proxy res headers: ' + JSON.stringify(proxy_res.headers));
 
-    assert.equal('world', proxy_res.headers['hello']);
-    assert.equal('text/plain', proxy_res.headers['content-type']);
+    assert.strictEqual('world', proxy_res.headers['hello']);
+    assert.strictEqual('text/plain', proxy_res.headers['content-type']);
     assert.deepStrictEqual(cookies, proxy_res.headers['set-cookie']);
 
     res.writeHead(proxy_res.statusCode, proxy_res.headers);
@@ -58,10 +58,10 @@ function startReq() {
     path: '/test'
   }, function(res) {
     console.error('got res');
-    assert.equal(200, res.statusCode);
+    assert.strictEqual(200, res.statusCode);
 
-    assert.equal('world', res.headers['hello']);
-    assert.equal('text/plain', res.headers['content-type']);
+    assert.strictEqual('world', res.headers['hello']);
+    assert.strictEqual('text/plain', res.headers['content-type']);
     assert.deepStrictEqual(cookies, res.headers['set-cookie']);
 
     res.setEncoding('utf8');
@@ -82,5 +82,5 @@ console.error('listen backend');
 backend.listen(0, startReq);
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(body, 'hello world\n');
+  assert.strictEqual(body, 'hello world\n');
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-remove-header-stays-removed.js b/test/parallel/test-http-remove-header-stays-removed.js
index 077ff0f5b3..c38a042283 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-remove-header-stays-removed.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-remove-header-stays-removed.js
@@ -23,13 +23,13 @@ const server = http.createServer(function(request, response) {
 let response = '';
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal('beep boop\n', response);
+  assert.strictEqual('beep boop\n', response);
   console.log('ok');
 });
 
 server.listen(0, function() {
   http.get({ port: this.address().port }, function(res) {
-    assert.equal(200, res.statusCode);
+    assert.strictEqual(200, res.statusCode);
     assert.deepStrictEqual(res.headers, { date: 'coffee o clock' });
 
     res.setEncoding('ascii');
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-request-dont-override-options.js b/test/parallel/test-http-request-dont-override-options.js
index 04235fd0e4..33ed2ed6c0 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-request-dont-override-options.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-request-dont-override-options.js
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ http.createServer(function(req, res) {
   }).end();
 
   process.on('exit', function() {
-    assert.equal(requests, 1);
+    assert.strictEqual(requests, 1);
 
     assert.strictEqual(options.host, undefined);
     assert.strictEqual(options.hostname, common.localhostIPv4);
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-res-write-after-end.js b/test/parallel/test-http-res-write-after-end.js
index 2ee0e4e29d..45db9fe13f 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-res-write-after-end.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-res-write-after-end.js
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ const server = http.Server(common.mustCall(function(req, res) {
   res.end();
 
   const r = res.write('This should raise an error.');
-  assert.equal(r, true, 'write after end should return true');
+  assert.strictEqual(r, true, 'write after end should return true');
 }));
 
 server.listen(0, function() {
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-response-multi-content-length.js b/test/parallel/test-http-response-multi-content-length.js
index 7cd802a74a..f3dce20875 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-response-multi-content-length.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-response-multi-content-length.js
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ server.listen(0, common.mustCall(() => {
       }
     ).on('error', common.mustCall((err) => {
       assert(/^Parse Error/.test(err.message));
-      assert.equal(err.code, 'HPE_UNEXPECTED_CONTENT_LENGTH');
+      assert.strictEqual(err.code, 'HPE_UNEXPECTED_CONTENT_LENGTH');
       count++;
       if (count === MAX_COUNT)
         server.close();
@@ -48,5 +48,5 @@ server.listen(0, common.mustCall(() => {
 }));
 
 process.on('exit', () => {
-  assert.equal(count, MAX_COUNT);
+  assert.strictEqual(count, MAX_COUNT);
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-response-multiheaders.js b/test/parallel/test-http-response-multiheaders.js
index 8f48dc2377..5739dac31d 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-response-multiheaders.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-response-multiheaders.js
@@ -60,9 +60,9 @@ server.listen(0, common.mustCall(function() {
       common.mustCall(function(res) {
         if (++count === 2) server.close();
         for (const name of norepeat) {
-          assert.equal(res.headers[name], 'A');
+          assert.strictEqual(res.headers[name], 'A');
         }
-        assert.equal(res.headers['x-a'], 'A, B');
+        assert.strictEqual(res.headers['x-a'], 'A, B');
       })
     );
   }
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-response-no-headers.js b/test/parallel/test-http-response-no-headers.js
index 3f44b4ef5f..e10571af4c 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-response-no-headers.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-response-no-headers.js
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ function test(httpVersion, callback) {
       });
 
       res.on('end', common.mustCall(function() {
-        assert.equal(body, expected[httpVersion]);
+        assert.strictEqual(body, expected[httpVersion]);
         server.close();
         if (callback) process.nextTick(callback);
       }));
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-response-readable.js b/test/parallel/test-http-response-readable.js
index 07c0a40e4b..a4906643d3 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-response-readable.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-response-readable.js
@@ -10,9 +10,10 @@ const testServer = new http.Server(function(req, res) {
 
 testServer.listen(0, function() {
   http.get({ port: this.address().port }, function(res) {
-    assert.equal(res.readable, true, 'res.readable initially true');
+    assert.strictEqual(res.readable, true, 'res.readable initially true');
     res.on('end', function() {
-      assert.equal(res.readable, false, 'res.readable set to false after end');
+      assert.strictEqual(res.readable, false,
+                         'res.readable set to false after end');
       testServer.close();
     });
     res.resume();
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-response-status-message.js b/test/parallel/test-http-response-status-message.js
index d17dfb24c6..95859634ac 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-response-status-message.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-response-status-message.js
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ const runTest = function(testCaseIndex) {
   }, function(response) {
     console.log('client: expected status message: ' + testCase.statusMessage);
     console.log('client: actual status message: ' + response.statusMessage);
-    assert.equal(testCase.statusMessage, response.statusMessage);
+    assert.strictEqual(testCase.statusMessage, response.statusMessage);
 
     response.on('end', function() {
       testsComplete++;
@@ -66,5 +66,5 @@ const runTest = function(testCaseIndex) {
 server.listen(0, function() { runTest(0); });
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(testCases.length, testsComplete);
+  assert.strictEqual(testCases.length, testsComplete);
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-server-client-error.js b/test/parallel/test-http-server-client-error.js
index 260963dc24..88c224f837 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-server-client-error.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-server-client-error.js
@@ -26,13 +26,13 @@ server.listen(0, function() {
       chunks += chunk;
     });
     client.once('end', function() {
-      assert.equal(chunks, 'HTTP/1.1 400 Bad Request\r\n\r\n');
+      assert.strictEqual(chunks, 'HTTP/1.1 400 Bad Request\r\n\r\n');
     });
   }
 
   // Normal request
   http.get({ port: this.address().port, path: '/' }, function(res) {
-    assert.equal(res.statusCode, 200);
+    assert.strictEqual(res.statusCode, 200);
     res.resume();
     res.once('end', next);
   });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-server-multiheaders.js b/test/parallel/test-http-server-multiheaders.js
index 189ab0657b..a89d45fd6c 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-server-multiheaders.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-server-multiheaders.js
@@ -8,15 +8,16 @@ const assert = require('assert');
 const http = require('http');
 
 const srv = http.createServer(function(req, res) {
-  assert.equal(req.headers.accept, 'abc, def, ghijklmnopqrst');
-  assert.equal(req.headers.host, 'foo');
-  assert.equal(req.headers['www-authenticate'], 'foo, bar, baz');
-  assert.equal(req.headers['proxy-authenticate'], 'foo, bar, baz');
-  assert.equal(req.headers['x-foo'], 'bingo');
-  assert.equal(req.headers['x-bar'], 'banjo, bango');
-  assert.equal(req.headers['sec-websocket-protocol'], 'chat, share');
-  assert.equal(req.headers['sec-websocket-extensions'], 'foo; 1, bar; 2, baz');
-  assert.equal(req.headers['constructor'], 'foo, bar, baz');
+  assert.strictEqual(req.headers.accept, 'abc, def, ghijklmnopqrst');
+  assert.strictEqual(req.headers.host, 'foo');
+  assert.strictEqual(req.headers['www-authenticate'], 'foo, bar, baz');
+  assert.strictEqual(req.headers['proxy-authenticate'], 'foo, bar, baz');
+  assert.strictEqual(req.headers['x-foo'], 'bingo');
+  assert.strictEqual(req.headers['x-bar'], 'banjo, bango');
+  assert.strictEqual(req.headers['sec-websocket-protocol'], 'chat, share');
+  assert.strictEqual(req.headers['sec-websocket-extensions'],
+                     'foo; 1, bar; 2, baz');
+  assert.strictEqual(req.headers['constructor'], 'foo, bar, baz');
 
   res.writeHead(200, {'Content-Type': 'text/plain'});
   res.end('EOF');
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-server-multiheaders2.js b/test/parallel/test-http-server-multiheaders2.js
index 82cc996032..53e68e6f0d 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-server-multiheaders2.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-server-multiheaders2.js
@@ -50,12 +50,12 @@ const multipleForbidden = [
 
 const srv = http.createServer(function(req, res) {
   multipleForbidden.forEach(function(header) {
-    assert.equal(req.headers[header.toLowerCase()],
-                 'foo', 'header parsed incorrectly: ' + header);
+    assert.strictEqual(req.headers[header.toLowerCase()],
+                       'foo', 'header parsed incorrectly: ' + header);
   });
   multipleAllowed.forEach(function(header) {
-    assert.equal(req.headers[header.toLowerCase()],
-                 'foo, bar', 'header parsed incorrectly: ' + header);
+    assert.strictEqual(req.headers[header.toLowerCase()],
+                       'foo, bar', 'header parsed incorrectly: ' + header);
   });
 
   res.writeHead(200, {'Content-Type': 'text/plain'});
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-server-reject-chunked-with-content-length.js b/test/parallel/test-http-server-reject-chunked-with-content-length.js
index d8697cd38c..b158fda75c 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-server-reject-chunked-with-content-length.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-server-reject-chunked-with-content-length.js
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ const server = http.createServer((req, res) => {
 });
 server.on('clientError', common.mustCall((err) => {
   assert(/^Parse Error/.test(err.message));
-  assert.equal(err.code, 'HPE_UNEXPECTED_CONTENT_LENGTH');
+  assert.strictEqual(err.code, 'HPE_UNEXPECTED_CONTENT_LENGTH');
   server.close();
 }));
 server.listen(0, () => {
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-server-reject-cr-no-lf.js b/test/parallel/test-http-server-reject-cr-no-lf.js
index 81a7208d98..73508cf08e 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-server-reject-cr-no-lf.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-server-reject-cr-no-lf.js
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ const server = http.createServer((req, res) => {
 });
 server.on('clientError', common.mustCall((err) => {
   assert(/^Parse Error/.test(err.message));
-  assert.equal(err.code, 'HPE_LF_EXPECTED');
+  assert.strictEqual(err.code, 'HPE_LF_EXPECTED');
   server.close();
 }));
 server.listen(0, () => {
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-server-unconsume.js b/test/parallel/test-http-server-unconsume.js
index fca2691aac..9f80e9ea82 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-server-unconsume.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-server-unconsume.js
@@ -26,5 +26,5 @@ const server = http.createServer(function(req, res) {
 });
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(received, 'hello world');
+  assert.strictEqual(received, 'hello world');
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-set-cookies.js b/test/parallel/test-http-set-cookies.js
index cb06352b3c..7be28b0403 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-set-cookies.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-set-cookies.js
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ server.on('listening', function() {
     // set-cookie headers are always return in an array.
     // even if there is only one.
     assert.deepStrictEqual(['A'], res.headers['set-cookie']);
-    assert.equal('text/plain', res.headers['content-type']);
+    assert.strictEqual('text/plain', res.headers['content-type']);
 
     res.on('data', function(chunk) {
       console.log(chunk.toString());
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ server.on('listening', function() {
 
   http.get({ port: this.address().port, path: '/two' }, function(res) {
     assert.deepStrictEqual(['A', 'B'], res.headers['set-cookie']);
-    assert.equal('text/plain', res.headers['content-type']);
+    assert.strictEqual('text/plain', res.headers['content-type']);
 
     res.on('data', function(chunk) {
       console.log(chunk.toString());
@@ -60,5 +60,5 @@ server.on('listening', function() {
 });
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(2, nresponses);
+  assert.strictEqual(2, nresponses);
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-set-timeout-server.js b/test/parallel/test-http-set-timeout-server.js
index 7a2447763e..097aeb260b 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-set-timeout-server.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-set-timeout-server.js
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ test(function serverRequestNotTimeoutAfterEnd(cb) {
 test(function serverResponseTimeoutWithPipeline(cb) {
   let caughtTimeout = '';
   process.on('exit', function() {
-    assert.equal(caughtTimeout, '/2');
+    assert.strictEqual(caughtTimeout, '/2');
   });
   const server = http.createServer(function(req, res) {
     const s = res.setTimeout(50, function() {
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-should-keep-alive.js b/test/parallel/test-http-should-keep-alive.js
index 77a3c3922a..190c8c8d88 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-should-keep-alive.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-should-keep-alive.js
@@ -30,8 +30,8 @@ const server = net.createServer(function(socket) {
 }).listen(0, function() {
   function makeRequest() {
     const req = http.get({port: server.address().port}, function(res) {
-      assert.equal(req.shouldKeepAlive, SHOULD_KEEP_ALIVE[responses],
-                   SERVER_RESPONSES[responses] + ' should ' +
+      assert.strictEqual(req.shouldKeepAlive, SHOULD_KEEP_ALIVE[responses],
+                         SERVER_RESPONSES[responses] + ' should ' +
                    (SHOULD_KEEP_ALIVE[responses] ? '' : 'not ') +
                    'Keep-Alive');
       ++responses;
@@ -48,6 +48,6 @@ const server = net.createServer(function(socket) {
 });
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(requests, SERVER_RESPONSES.length);
-  assert.equal(responses, SHOULD_KEEP_ALIVE.length);
+  assert.strictEqual(requests, SERVER_RESPONSES.length);
+  assert.strictEqual(responses, SHOULD_KEEP_ALIVE.length);
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-status-code.js b/test/parallel/test-http-status-code.js
index b5060109bf..111b5db16d 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-status-code.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-status-code.js
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ const s = http.createServer(function(req, res) {
   const t = tests[testIdx];
   res.writeHead(t, {'Content-Type': 'text/plain'});
   console.log('--\nserver: statusCode after writeHead: ' + res.statusCode);
-  assert.equal(res.statusCode, t);
+  assert.strictEqual(res.statusCode, t);
   res.end('hello world\n');
 });
 
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ function nextTest() {
   http.get({ port: s.address().port }, function(response) {
     console.log('client: expected status: ' + test);
     console.log('client: statusCode: ' + response.statusCode);
-    assert.equal(response.statusCode, test);
+    assert.strictEqual(response.statusCode, test);
     response.on('end', function() {
       testsComplete++;
       testIdx += 1;
@@ -42,5 +42,5 @@ function nextTest() {
 
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(5, testsComplete);
+  assert.strictEqual(5, testsComplete);
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-status-message.js b/test/parallel/test-http-status-message.js
index 668b02ee07..54c683212b 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-status-message.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-status-message.js
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ function test() {
   });
   client.on('end', function() {
     const head = Buffer.concat(bufs).toString('latin1').split('\r\n')[0];
-    assert.equal('HTTP/1.1 200 Custom Message', head);
+    assert.strictEqual('HTTP/1.1 200 Custom Message', head);
     console.log('ok');
     s.close();
   });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-timeout-overflow.js b/test/parallel/test-http-timeout-overflow.js
index 39b4550d57..755859ddc9 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-timeout-overflow.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-timeout-overflow.js
@@ -37,6 +37,6 @@ server.listen(0, function() {
 });
 
 process.once('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(clientRequests, 1);
-  assert.equal(serverRequests, 1);
+  assert.strictEqual(clientRequests, 1);
+  assert.strictEqual(serverRequests, 1);
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-upgrade-advertise.js b/test/parallel/test-http-upgrade-advertise.js
index 3deb71fbea..99a3e8fd35 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-upgrade-advertise.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-upgrade-advertise.js
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ function fire() {
   const test = tests.shift();
 
   const done = common.mustCall(function done(result) {
-    assert.equal(result, test.expected);
+    assert.strictEqual(result, test.expected);
 
     fire();
   });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-upgrade-agent.js b/test/parallel/test-http-upgrade-agent.js
index a196ba9049..e0e1c6d1f3 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-upgrade-agent.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-upgrade-agent.js
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ srv.listen(0, '127.0.0.1', common.mustCall(function() {
     });
 
     socket.on('close', common.mustCall(function() {
-      assert.equal(recvData, 'nurtzo');
+      assert.strictEqual(recvData.toString(), 'nurtzo');
     }));
 
     console.log(res.headers);
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-upgrade-server.js b/test/parallel/test-http-upgrade-server.js
index 221263e98c..b7335b49e8 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-upgrade-server.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-upgrade-server.js
@@ -76,20 +76,20 @@ function test_upgrade_with_listener() {
   conn.on('data', function(data) {
     state++;
 
-    assert.equal('string', typeof data);
+    assert.strictEqual('string', typeof data);
 
     if (state === 1) {
-      assert.equal('HTTP/1.1 101', data.substr(0, 12));
-      assert.equal('WjN}|M(6', request_upgradeHead.toString('utf8'));
+      assert.strictEqual('HTTP/1.1 101', data.substr(0, 12));
+      assert.strictEqual('WjN}|M(6', request_upgradeHead.toString('utf8'));
       conn.write('test', 'utf8');
     } else if (state === 2) {
-      assert.equal('test', data);
+      assert.strictEqual('test', data);
       conn.write('kill', 'utf8');
     }
   });
 
   conn.on('end', function() {
-    assert.equal(2, state);
+    assert.strictEqual(2, state);
     conn.end();
     server.removeAllListeners('upgrade');
     test_upgrade_no_listener();
@@ -135,8 +135,8 @@ function test_standard_http() {
   });
 
   conn.once('data', function(data) {
-    assert.equal('string', typeof data);
-    assert.equal('HTTP/1.1 200', data.substr(0, 12));
+    assert.strictEqual('string', typeof data);
+    assert.strictEqual('HTTP/1.1 200', data.substr(0, 12));
     conn.end();
   });
 
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ server.listen(0, function() {
   Fin.
 -----------------------------------------------*/
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(3, requests_recv);
-  assert.equal(3, requests_sent);
+  assert.strictEqual(3, requests_recv);
+  assert.strictEqual(3, requests_sent);
   assert.ok(test_upgrade_no_listener_ended);
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-upgrade-server2.js b/test/parallel/test-http-upgrade-server2.js
index c64b2e8436..3ff33a9c79 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-upgrade-server2.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-upgrade-server2.js
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ server.on('upgrade', function(req, socket, upgradeHead) {
 });
 
 process.on('uncaughtException', common.mustCall(function(e) {
-  assert.equal('upgrade error', e.message);
+  assert.strictEqual('upgrade error', e.message);
   process.exit(0);
 }));
 
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-write-callbacks.js b/test/parallel/test-http-write-callbacks.js
index 3783dc305e..03250a0030 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-write-callbacks.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-write-callbacks.js
@@ -14,9 +14,9 @@ const clientIncomingExpect = 'asdffoobar';
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
   assert(serverEndCb);
-  assert.equal(serverIncoming, serverIncomingExpect);
+  assert.strictEqual(serverIncoming, serverIncomingExpect);
   assert(clientEndCb);
-  assert.equal(clientIncoming, clientIncomingExpect);
+  assert.strictEqual(clientIncoming, clientIncomingExpect);
   console.log('ok');
 });
 
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ const server = http.createServer(function(req, res) {
 
 server.on('checkContinue', function(req, res) {
   server.close();
-  assert.equal(req.method, 'PUT');
+  assert.strictEqual(req.method, 'PUT');
   res.writeContinue(function() {
     // continue has been written
     req.on('end', function() {
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-write-empty-string.js b/test/parallel/test-http-write-empty-string.js
index 69463fb3a5..81ebc61eef 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-write-empty-string.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-write-empty-string.js
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ server.listen(0, common.mustCall(function() {
   http.get({ port: this.address().port }, common.mustCall(function(res) {
     let response = '';
 
-    assert.equal(200, res.statusCode);
+    assert.strictEqual(200, res.statusCode);
     res.setEncoding('ascii');
     res.on('data', function(chunk) {
       response += chunk;
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-write-head.js b/test/parallel/test-http-write-head.js
index 12f5e00b0d..a0e4a7fde3 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-write-head.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-write-head.js
@@ -25,7 +25,8 @@ const s = http.createServer(function(req, res) {
     res.setHeader('foo', undefined);
   } catch (e) {
     assert.ok(e instanceof Error);
-    assert.equal(e.message, '"value" required in setHeader("foo", value)');
+    assert.strictEqual(e.message,
+                       '"value" required in setHeader("foo", value)');
     threw = true;
   }
   assert.ok(threw, 'Undefined value should throw');
@@ -39,7 +40,7 @@ s.listen(0, runTest);
 function runTest() {
   http.get({ port: this.address().port }, function(response) {
     response.on('end', function() {
-      assert.equal(response.headers['test'], '2');
+      assert.strictEqual(response.headers['test'], '2');
       assert.notStrictEqual(response.rawHeaders.indexOf('Test'), -1);
       s.close();
     });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http-zero-length-write.js b/test/parallel/test-http-zero-length-write.js
index 63446e4604..11db6b1aa1 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http-zero-length-write.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http-zero-length-write.js
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ const server = http.createServer(function(req, res) {
     actual += c;
   });
   req.on('end', function() {
-    assert.equal(actual, expect);
+    assert.strictEqual(actual, expect);
     getSrc().pipe(res);
   });
   server.close();
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ server.listen(0, function() {
       actual += c;
     });
     res.on('end', function() {
-      assert.equal(actual, expect);
+      assert.strictEqual(actual, expect);
     });
   });
   getSrc().pipe(req);
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-http.js b/test/parallel/test-http.js
index a80a2b8856..1178c745e1 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-http.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-http.js
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ const server = http.Server(function(req, res) {
   });
   req.resume();
 
-  //assert.equal('127.0.0.1', res.connection.remoteAddress);
+  //assert.strictEqual('127.0.0.1', res.connection.remoteAddress);
 });
 server.listen(0);
 
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-https-agent-disable-session-reuse.js b/test/parallel/test-https-agent-disable-session-reuse.js
index 8e694a61b7..7cca9c713a 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-https-agent-disable-session-reuse.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-https-agent-disable-session-reuse.js
@@ -52,8 +52,8 @@ const server = https.createServer(options, function(req, res) {
 });
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(serverRequests, TOTAL_REQS);
-  assert.equal(clientSessions.length, TOTAL_REQS);
+  assert.strictEqual(serverRequests, TOTAL_REQS);
+  assert.strictEqual(clientSessions.length, TOTAL_REQS);
   assert.notStrictEqual(clientSessions[0].toString('hex'),
                         clientSessions[1].toString('hex'));
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-https-agent-sni.js b/test/parallel/test-https-agent-sni.js
index ca15dc3db3..9bfbe3d5c6 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-https-agent-sni.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-https-agent-sni.js
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ server.listen(0, function() {
   function expectResponse(id) {
     return common.mustCall(function(res) {
       res.resume();
-      assert.equal(res.headers['x-sni'], 'sni.' + id);
+      assert.strictEqual(res.headers['x-sni'], 'sni.' + id);
     });
   }
 
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-https-client-get-url.js b/test/parallel/test-https-client-get-url.js
index 1f4f6ff748..caaa7522ce 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-https-client-get-url.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-https-client-get-url.js
@@ -21,8 +21,8 @@ const options = {
 };
 
 const server = https.createServer(options, common.mustCall(function(req, res) {
-  assert.equal('GET', req.method);
-  assert.equal('/foo?bar', req.url);
+  assert.strictEqual('GET', req.method);
+  assert.strictEqual('/foo?bar', req.url);
   res.writeHead(200, {'Content-Type': 'text/plain'});
   res.write('hello\n');
   res.end();
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-https-drain.js b/test/parallel/test-https-drain.js
index 0b18795078..8e85ca70b9 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-https-drain.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-https-drain.js
@@ -71,5 +71,5 @@ server.listen(0, function() {
 });
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(sent, received);
+  assert.strictEqual(sent, received);
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-https-eof-for-eom.js b/test/parallel/test-https-eof-for-eom.js
index d5e896c769..cb48f71e51 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-https-eof-for-eom.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-https-eof-for-eom.js
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ server.listen(0, common.mustCall(function() {
     server.close();
     console.log('3) Client got response headers.');
 
-    assert.equal('gws', res.headers.server);
+    assert.strictEqual('gws', res.headers.server);
 
     res.setEncoding('utf8');
     res.on('data', function(s) {
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-https-foafssl.js b/test/parallel/test-https-foafssl.js
index f1b8d442e2..5a9b8eb832 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-https-foafssl.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-https-foafssl.js
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ server.listen(0, function() {
   client.stdout.on('data', function(data) {
     const message = data.toString();
     const contents = message.split(CRLF + CRLF).pop();
-    assert.equal(body, contents);
+    assert.strictEqual(body, contents);
     server.close();
   });
 
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-https-host-headers.js b/test/parallel/test-https-host-headers.js
index 190f15f29a..ce18522fc5 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-https-host-headers.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-https-host-headers.js
@@ -18,10 +18,10 @@ const httpsServer = https.createServer(options, reqHandler);
 function reqHandler(req, res) {
   console.log('Got request: ' + req.headers.host + ' ' + req.url);
   if (req.url === '/setHostFalse5') {
-    assert.equal(req.headers.host, undefined);
+    assert.strictEqual(req.headers.host, undefined);
   } else {
-    assert.equal(req.headers.host, `localhost:${this.address().port}`,
-                 'Wrong host header for req[' + req.url + ']: ' +
+    assert.strictEqual(req.headers.host, `localhost:${this.address().port}`,
+                       'Wrong host header for req[' + req.url + ']: ' +
                  req.headers.host);
   }
   res.writeHead(200, {});
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-https-localaddress.js b/test/parallel/test-https-localaddress.js
index 78583b38ec..1c796f5843 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-https-localaddress.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-https-localaddress.js
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ const options = {
 
 const server = https.createServer(options, function(req, res) {
   console.log('Connect from: ' + req.connection.remoteAddress);
-  assert.equal('127.0.0.2', req.connection.remoteAddress);
+  assert.strictEqual('127.0.0.2', req.connection.remoteAddress);
 
   req.on('end', function() {
     res.writeHead(200, { 'Content-Type': 'text/plain' });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-https-pfx.js b/test/parallel/test-https-pfx.js
index c30bbc0848..0e3a2ba3cd 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-https-pfx.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-https-pfx.js
@@ -22,8 +22,9 @@ const options = {
 };
 
 const server = https.createServer(options, function(req, res) {
-  assert.equal(req.socket.authorized, false); // not a client cert
-  assert.equal(req.socket.authorizationError, 'DEPTH_ZERO_SELF_SIGNED_CERT');
+  assert.strictEqual(req.socket.authorized, false); // not a client cert
+  assert.strictEqual(req.socket.authorizationError,
+                     'DEPTH_ZERO_SELF_SIGNED_CERT');
   res.writeHead(200);
   res.end('OK');
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-https-set-timeout-server.js b/test/parallel/test-https-set-timeout-server.js
index 4cf999667d..d6db87e61c 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-https-set-timeout-server.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-https-set-timeout-server.js
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ test(function serverRequestNotTimeoutAfterEnd(cb) {
 test(function serverResponseTimeoutWithPipeline(cb) {
   let caughtTimeout = '';
   process.on('exit', function() {
-    assert.equal(caughtTimeout, '/2');
+    assert.strictEqual(caughtTimeout, '/2');
   });
   const server = https.createServer(serverOptions, function(req, res) {
     res.setTimeout(50, function() {
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-https-simple.js b/test/parallel/test-https-simple.js
index 0040b9dd05..8616e6c710 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-https-simple.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-https-simple.js
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ server.listen(0, function() {
     });
 
     res.on('end', function() {
-      assert.equal(responseBody, body);
+      assert.strictEqual(responseBody, body);
       testSucceeded();
     });
   });
@@ -82,11 +82,11 @@ server.listen(0, function() {
   checkCertReq.end();
 
   checkCertReq.on('error', function(e) {
-    assert.equal(e.code, 'UNABLE_TO_VERIFY_LEAF_SIGNATURE');
+    assert.strictEqual(e.code, 'UNABLE_TO_VERIFY_LEAF_SIGNATURE');
     testSucceeded();
   });
 });
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(successful, tests);
+  assert.strictEqual(successful, tests);
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-internal-modules-expose.js b/test/parallel/test-internal-modules-expose.js
index dd3a7f7a3c..02ddfd87c3 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-internal-modules-expose.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-internal-modules-expose.js
@@ -4,4 +4,4 @@
 require('../common');
 const assert = require('assert');
 
-assert.equal(typeof require('internal/freelist').FreeList, 'function');
+assert.strictEqual(typeof require('internal/freelist').FreeList, 'function');
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-listen-fd-cluster.js b/test/parallel/test-listen-fd-cluster.js
index de1fbed7b5..98810a3933 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-listen-fd-cluster.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-listen-fd-cluster.js
@@ -50,8 +50,8 @@ test(function(parent, port) {
       // it's really annoying when tests leave orphans!
       parent.kill();
       parent.on('exit', function() {
-        assert.equal(s, 'hello from worker\n');
-        assert.equal(res.statusCode, 200);
+        assert.strictEqual(s, 'hello from worker\n');
+        assert.strictEqual(res.statusCode, 200);
         console.log('ok');
         ok = true;
       });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-listen-fd-detached-inherit.js b/test/parallel/test-listen-fd-detached-inherit.js
index 2ac4d83dba..36e4df2889 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-listen-fd-detached-inherit.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-listen-fd-detached-inherit.js
@@ -52,8 +52,8 @@ function test() {
           parent.kill();
         } catch (e) {}
 
-        assert.equal(s, 'hello from child\n');
-        assert.equal(res.statusCode, 200);
+        assert.strictEqual(s, 'hello from child\n');
+        assert.strictEqual(res.statusCode, 200);
       });
     });
   }
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-listen-fd-detached.js b/test/parallel/test-listen-fd-detached.js
index 1194d00161..ec9d039e96 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-listen-fd-detached.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-listen-fd-detached.js
@@ -52,8 +52,8 @@ function test() {
           parent.kill();
         } catch (e) {}
 
-        assert.equal(s, 'hello from child\n');
-        assert.equal(res.statusCode, 200);
+        assert.strictEqual(s, 'hello from child\n');
+        assert.strictEqual(res.statusCode, 200);
       });
     });
   }
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-listen-fd-server.js b/test/parallel/test-listen-fd-server.js
index 60aa8717a8..5a1ffbb989 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-listen-fd-server.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-listen-fd-server.js
@@ -38,8 +38,8 @@ test(function(child, port) {
     res.on('end', function() {
       child.kill();
       child.on('exit', function() {
-        assert.equal(s, 'hello from child\n');
-        assert.equal(res.statusCode, 200);
+        assert.strictEqual(s, 'hello from child\n');
+        assert.strictEqual(res.statusCode, 200);
         console.log('ok');
         ok = true;
       });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-memory-usage-emfile.js b/test/parallel/test-memory-usage-emfile.js
index 09ab270b70..c5345079a7 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-memory-usage-emfile.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-memory-usage-emfile.js
@@ -10,4 +10,4 @@ while (files.length < 256)
   files.push(fs.openSync(__filename, 'r'));
 
 const r = process.memoryUsage();
-assert.equal(true, r['rss'] > 0);
+assert.strictEqual(true, r['rss'] > 0);
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-microtask-queue-integration-domain.js b/test/parallel/test-microtask-queue-integration-domain.js
index 7110af7648..df90b6d3a3 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-microtask-queue-integration-domain.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-microtask-queue-integration-domain.js
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ let expected = 0;
 let done = 0;
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(done, expected);
+  assert.strictEqual(done, expected);
 });
 
 function test(scheduleMicrotask) {
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-microtask-queue-integration.js b/test/parallel/test-microtask-queue-integration.js
index d212bbae96..22704ab4a5 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-microtask-queue-integration.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-microtask-queue-integration.js
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ let expected = 0;
 let done = 0;
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(done, expected);
+  assert.strictEqual(done, expected);
 });
 
 function test(scheduleMicrotask) {
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-microtask-queue-run-domain.js b/test/parallel/test-microtask-queue-run-domain.js
index 7d34ec829a..8ce2f6cd99 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-microtask-queue-run-domain.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-microtask-queue-run-domain.js
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ function enqueueMicrotask(fn) {
 let done = 0;
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(done, 2);
+  assert.strictEqual(done, 2);
 });
 
 // no nextTick, microtask
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-microtask-queue-run-immediate-domain.js b/test/parallel/test-microtask-queue-run-immediate-domain.js
index e09087f74e..8c4d4d40d4 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-microtask-queue-run-immediate-domain.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-microtask-queue-run-immediate-domain.js
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ function enqueueMicrotask(fn) {
 let done = 0;
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(done, 2);
+  assert.strictEqual(done, 2);
 });
 
 // no nextTick, microtask
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-microtask-queue-run-immediate.js b/test/parallel/test-microtask-queue-run-immediate.js
index c5ed6c6dcb..9fee54b2d7 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-microtask-queue-run-immediate.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-microtask-queue-run-immediate.js
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ function enqueueMicrotask(fn) {
 let done = 0;
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(done, 2);
+  assert.strictEqual(done, 2);
 });
 
 // no nextTick, microtask
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-microtask-queue-run.js b/test/parallel/test-microtask-queue-run.js
index 71e1fbedba..1a8f8e2ba3 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-microtask-queue-run.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-microtask-queue-run.js
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ function enqueueMicrotask(fn) {
 let done = 0;
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(done, 2);
+  assert.strictEqual(done, 2);
 });
 
 // no nextTick, microtask
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-net-better-error-messages-path.js b/test/parallel/test-net-better-error-messages-path.js
index 2f821ef5d7..7cdc14b9bd 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-net-better-error-messages-path.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-net-better-error-messages-path.js
@@ -8,6 +8,6 @@ const c = net.connect(fp);
 c.on('connect', common.fail);
 
 c.on('error', common.mustCall(function(e) {
-  assert.equal(e.code, 'ENOENT');
-  assert.equal(e.message, 'connect ENOENT ' + fp);
+  assert.strictEqual(e.code, 'ENOENT');
+  assert.strictEqual(e.message, 'connect ENOENT ' + fp);
 }));
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-net-binary.js b/test/parallel/test-net-binary.js
index bcc554ac40..0c5cac1c37 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-net-binary.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-net-binary.js
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ echoServer.on('listening', function() {
 });
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(2 * 256, recv.length);
+  assert.strictEqual(2 * 256, recv.length);
 
   const a = recv.split('');
 
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-net-bind-twice.js b/test/parallel/test-net-bind-twice.js
index 17fdc90cb3..c10b4019e4 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-net-bind-twice.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-net-bind-twice.js
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ server1.listen(0, '127.0.0.1', common.mustCall(function() {
   server2.listen(this.address().port, '127.0.0.1', common.fail);
 
   server2.on('error', common.mustCall(function(e) {
-    assert.equal(e.code, 'EADDRINUSE');
+    assert.strictEqual(e.code, 'EADDRINUSE');
     server1.close();
   }));
 }));
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-net-bytes-read.js b/test/parallel/test-net-bytes-read.js
index 52fb577b9e..aed14fe279 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-net-bytes-read.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-net-bytes-read.js
@@ -23,14 +23,14 @@ const server = net.createServer((socket) => {
     });
 
     socket.on('end', common.mustCall(() => {
-      assert.equal(socket.bytesRead, prev);
-      assert.equal(big.length, prev);
+      assert.strictEqual(socket.bytesRead, prev);
+      assert.strictEqual(big.length, prev);
     }));
 
     socket.on('close', common.mustCall(() => {
       assert(!socket._handle);
-      assert.equal(socket.bytesRead, prev);
-      assert.equal(big.length, prev);
+      assert.strictEqual(socket.bytesRead, prev);
+      assert.strictEqual(big.length, prev);
     }));
   });
   socket.end();
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-net-bytes-stats.js b/test/parallel/test-net-bytes-stats.js
index 4cc6eee837..33e089da50 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-net-bytes-stats.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-net-bytes-stats.js
@@ -52,6 +52,6 @@ tcp.listen(0, function doTest() {
 });
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(bytesRead, 12);
-  assert.equal(bytesWritten, 12);
+  assert.strictEqual(bytesRead, 12);
+  assert.strictEqual(bytesWritten, 12);
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-net-connect-buffer.js b/test/parallel/test-net-connect-buffer.js
index c43ee1abd0..1e29667587 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-net-connect-buffer.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-net-connect-buffer.js
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ const tcp = net.Server(function(s) {
 
   s.on('end', function() {
     console.error('SERVER: end', buf.toString());
-    assert.equal(buf, "L'État, c'est moi");
+    assert.strictEqual(buf, "L'État, c'est moi");
     console.log('tcp socket disconnect');
     s.end();
   });
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ tcp.listen(0, function() {
 
   console.log('connecting = ' + socket.connecting);
 
-  assert.equal('opening', socket.readyState);
+  assert.strictEqual('opening', socket.readyState);
 
   // Make sure that anything besides a buffer or a string throws.
   [null,
@@ -76,18 +76,18 @@ tcp.listen(0, function() {
     dataWritten = true;
     assert.ok(connectHappened);
     console.error('socket.bytesWritten', socket.bytesWritten);
-    //assert.equal(socket.bytesWritten, Buffer.from(a + b).length);
+    //assert.strictEqual(socket.bytesWritten, Buffer.from(a + b).length);
     console.error('data written');
   });
   console.error('socket.bytesWritten', socket.bytesWritten);
   console.error('write returned', r);
 
-  assert.equal(socket.bytesWritten, Buffer.from(a).length);
+  assert.strictEqual(socket.bytesWritten, Buffer.from(a).length);
 
-  assert.equal(false, r);
+  assert.strictEqual(false, r);
   socket.end(b);
 
-  assert.equal('opening', socket.readyState);
+  assert.strictEqual('opening', socket.readyState);
 });
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-net-connect-local-error.js b/test/parallel/test-net-connect-local-error.js
index 8f1784565d..23bfacde33 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-net-connect-local-error.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-net-connect-local-error.js
@@ -10,6 +10,6 @@ const client = net.connect({
 });
 
 client.on('error', common.mustCall(function onError(err) {
-  assert.equal(err.localPort, common.PORT);
-  assert.equal(err.localAddress, common.localhostIPv4);
+  assert.strictEqual(err.localPort, common.PORT);
+  assert.strictEqual(err.localAddress, common.localhostIPv4);
 }));
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-net-create-connection.js b/test/parallel/test-net-create-connection.js
index a5d8cd101d..dc5981ecd2 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-net-create-connection.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-net-create-connection.js
@@ -102,5 +102,5 @@ server.on('close', function() {
 });
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(clientConnected, expectedConnections);
+  assert.strictEqual(clientConnected, expectedConnections);
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-net-dns-error.js b/test/parallel/test-net-dns-error.js
index aa288c5fde..5ca0231368 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-net-dns-error.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-net-dns-error.js
@@ -12,11 +12,11 @@ function do_not_call() {
 
 const socket = net.connect(42, host, do_not_call);
 socket.on('error', common.mustCall(function(err) {
-  assert.equal(err.code, 'ENOTFOUND');
+  assert.strictEqual(err.code, 'ENOTFOUND');
 }));
 socket.on('lookup', function(err, ip, type) {
   assert(err instanceof Error);
-  assert.equal(err.code, 'ENOTFOUND');
-  assert.equal(ip, undefined);
-  assert.equal(type, undefined);
+  assert.strictEqual(err.code, 'ENOTFOUND');
+  assert.strictEqual(ip, undefined);
+  assert.strictEqual(type, undefined);
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-net-dns-lookup.js b/test/parallel/test-net-dns-lookup.js
index 8d9930f4b7..166029f31c 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-net-dns-lookup.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-net-dns-lookup.js
@@ -11,9 +11,9 @@ const server = net.createServer(function(client) {
 server.listen(0, '127.0.0.1', common.mustCall(function() {
   net.connect(this.address().port, 'localhost')
     .on('lookup', common.mustCall(function(err, ip, type, host) {
-      assert.equal(err, null);
-      assert.equal(ip, '127.0.0.1');
-      assert.equal(type, '4');
-      assert.equal(host, 'localhost');
+      assert.strictEqual(err, null);
+      assert.strictEqual(ip, '127.0.0.1');
+      assert.strictEqual(type, 4);
+      assert.strictEqual(host, 'localhost');
     }));
 }));
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-net-eaddrinuse.js b/test/parallel/test-net-eaddrinuse.js
index 3d7ceb8d5e..cf4293e823 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-net-eaddrinuse.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-net-eaddrinuse.js
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ const server2 = net.createServer(function(socket) {
 });
 server1.listen(0, function() {
   server2.on('error', function(error) {
-    assert.equal(true, error.message.indexOf('EADDRINUSE') >= 0);
+    assert.strictEqual(true, error.message.indexOf('EADDRINUSE') >= 0);
     server1.close();
   });
   server2.listen(this.address().port);
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-net-error-twice.js b/test/parallel/test-net-error-twice.js
index 98a2c33755..3c25d1c98e 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-net-error-twice.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-net-error-twice.js
@@ -38,5 +38,5 @@ const srv = net.createServer(function onConnection(conn) {
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
   console.log(errs);
-  assert.equal(errs.length, 1);
+  assert.strictEqual(errs.length, 1);
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-net-isip.js b/test/parallel/test-net-isip.js
index 65d88523fe..626f29488b 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-net-isip.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-net-isip.js
@@ -3,68 +3,70 @@ require('../common');
 const assert = require('assert');
 const net = require('net');
 
-assert.equal(net.isIP('127.0.0.1'), 4);
-assert.equal(net.isIP('x127.0.0.1'), 0);
-assert.equal(net.isIP('example.com'), 0);
-assert.equal(net.isIP('0000:0000:0000:0000:0000:0000:0000:0000'), 6);
-assert.equal(net.isIP('0000:0000:0000:0000:0000:0000:0000:0000::0000'), 0);
-assert.equal(net.isIP('1050:0:0:0:5:600:300c:326b'), 6);
-assert.equal(net.isIP('2001:252:0:1::2008:6'), 6);
-assert.equal(net.isIP('2001:dead:beef:1::2008:6'), 6);
-assert.equal(net.isIP('2001::'), 6);
-assert.equal(net.isIP('2001:dead::'), 6);
-assert.equal(net.isIP('2001:dead:beef::'), 6);
-assert.equal(net.isIP('2001:dead:beef:1::'), 6);
-assert.equal(net.isIP('ffff:ffff:ffff:ffff:ffff:ffff:ffff:ffff'), 6);
-assert.equal(net.isIP(':2001:252:0:1::2008:6:'), 0);
-assert.equal(net.isIP(':2001:252:0:1::2008:6'), 0);
-assert.equal(net.isIP('2001:252:0:1::2008:6:'), 0);
-assert.equal(net.isIP('2001:252::1::2008:6'), 0);
-assert.equal(net.isIP('::2001:252:1:2008:6'), 6);
-assert.equal(net.isIP('::2001:252:1:1.1.1.1'), 6);
-assert.equal(net.isIP('::2001:252:1:255.255.255.255'), 6);
-assert.equal(net.isIP('::2001:252:1:255.255.255.255.76'), 0);
-assert.equal(net.isIP('::anything'), 0);
-assert.equal(net.isIP('::1'), 6);
-assert.equal(net.isIP('::'), 6);
-assert.equal(net.isIP('0000:0000:0000:0000:0000:0000:12345:0000'), 0);
-assert.equal(net.isIP('0'), 0);
-assert.equal(net.isIP(), 0);
-assert.equal(net.isIP(''), 0);
-assert.equal(net.isIP(null), 0);
-assert.equal(net.isIP(123), 0);
-assert.equal(net.isIP(true), 0);
-assert.equal(net.isIP({}), 0);
-assert.equal(net.isIP({ toString: () => '::2001:252:1:255.255.255.255' }), 6);
-assert.equal(net.isIP({ toString: () => '127.0.0.1' }), 4);
-assert.equal(net.isIP({ toString: () => 'bla' }), 0);
+assert.strictEqual(net.isIP('127.0.0.1'), 4);
+assert.strictEqual(net.isIP('x127.0.0.1'), 0);
+assert.strictEqual(net.isIP('example.com'), 0);
+assert.strictEqual(net.isIP('0000:0000:0000:0000:0000:0000:0000:0000'), 6);
+assert.strictEqual(net.isIP('0000:0000:0000:0000:0000:0000:0000:0000::0000'),
+                   0);
+assert.strictEqual(net.isIP('1050:0:0:0:5:600:300c:326b'), 6);
+assert.strictEqual(net.isIP('2001:252:0:1::2008:6'), 6);
+assert.strictEqual(net.isIP('2001:dead:beef:1::2008:6'), 6);
+assert.strictEqual(net.isIP('2001::'), 6);
+assert.strictEqual(net.isIP('2001:dead::'), 6);
+assert.strictEqual(net.isIP('2001:dead:beef::'), 6);
+assert.strictEqual(net.isIP('2001:dead:beef:1::'), 6);
+assert.strictEqual(net.isIP('ffff:ffff:ffff:ffff:ffff:ffff:ffff:ffff'), 6);
+assert.strictEqual(net.isIP(':2001:252:0:1::2008:6:'), 0);
+assert.strictEqual(net.isIP(':2001:252:0:1::2008:6'), 0);
+assert.strictEqual(net.isIP('2001:252:0:1::2008:6:'), 0);
+assert.strictEqual(net.isIP('2001:252::1::2008:6'), 0);
+assert.strictEqual(net.isIP('::2001:252:1:2008:6'), 6);
+assert.strictEqual(net.isIP('::2001:252:1:1.1.1.1'), 6);
+assert.strictEqual(net.isIP('::2001:252:1:255.255.255.255'), 6);
+assert.strictEqual(net.isIP('::2001:252:1:255.255.255.255.76'), 0);
+assert.strictEqual(net.isIP('::anything'), 0);
+assert.strictEqual(net.isIP('::1'), 6);
+assert.strictEqual(net.isIP('::'), 6);
+assert.strictEqual(net.isIP('0000:0000:0000:0000:0000:0000:12345:0000'), 0);
+assert.strictEqual(net.isIP('0'), 0);
+assert.strictEqual(net.isIP(), 0);
+assert.strictEqual(net.isIP(''), 0);
+assert.strictEqual(net.isIP(null), 0);
+assert.strictEqual(net.isIP(123), 0);
+assert.strictEqual(net.isIP(true), 0);
+assert.strictEqual(net.isIP({}), 0);
+assert.strictEqual(net.isIP({ toString: () => '::2001:252:1:255.255.255.255' }),
+                   6);
+assert.strictEqual(net.isIP({ toString: () => '127.0.0.1' }), 4);
+assert.strictEqual(net.isIP({ toString: () => 'bla' }), 0);
 
-assert.equal(net.isIPv4('127.0.0.1'), true);
-assert.equal(net.isIPv4('example.com'), false);
-assert.equal(net.isIPv4('2001:252:0:1::2008:6'), false);
-assert.equal(net.isIPv4(), false);
-assert.equal(net.isIPv4(''), false);
-assert.equal(net.isIPv4(null), false);
-assert.equal(net.isIPv4(123), false);
-assert.equal(net.isIPv4(true), false);
-assert.equal(net.isIPv4({}), false);
-assert.equal(net.isIPv4({
+assert.strictEqual(net.isIPv4('127.0.0.1'), true);
+assert.strictEqual(net.isIPv4('example.com'), false);
+assert.strictEqual(net.isIPv4('2001:252:0:1::2008:6'), false);
+assert.strictEqual(net.isIPv4(), false);
+assert.strictEqual(net.isIPv4(''), false);
+assert.strictEqual(net.isIPv4(null), false);
+assert.strictEqual(net.isIPv4(123), false);
+assert.strictEqual(net.isIPv4(true), false);
+assert.strictEqual(net.isIPv4({}), false);
+assert.strictEqual(net.isIPv4({
   toString: () => '::2001:252:1:255.255.255.255'
 }), false);
-assert.equal(net.isIPv4({ toString: () => '127.0.0.1' }), true);
-assert.equal(net.isIPv4({ toString: () => 'bla' }), false);
+assert.strictEqual(net.isIPv4({ toString: () => '127.0.0.1' }), true);
+assert.strictEqual(net.isIPv4({ toString: () => 'bla' }), false);
 
-assert.equal(net.isIPv6('127.0.0.1'), false);
-assert.equal(net.isIPv6('example.com'), false);
-assert.equal(net.isIPv6('2001:252:0:1::2008:6'), true);
-assert.equal(net.isIPv6(), false);
-assert.equal(net.isIPv6(''), false);
-assert.equal(net.isIPv6(null), false);
-assert.equal(net.isIPv6(123), false);
-assert.equal(net.isIPv6(true), false);
-assert.equal(net.isIPv6({}), false);
-assert.equal(net.isIPv6({
+assert.strictEqual(net.isIPv6('127.0.0.1'), false);
+assert.strictEqual(net.isIPv6('example.com'), false);
+assert.strictEqual(net.isIPv6('2001:252:0:1::2008:6'), true);
+assert.strictEqual(net.isIPv6(), false);
+assert.strictEqual(net.isIPv6(''), false);
+assert.strictEqual(net.isIPv6(null), false);
+assert.strictEqual(net.isIPv6(123), false);
+assert.strictEqual(net.isIPv6(true), false);
+assert.strictEqual(net.isIPv6({}), false);
+assert.strictEqual(net.isIPv6({
   toString: () => '::2001:252:1:255.255.255.255'
 }), true);
-assert.equal(net.isIPv6({ toString: () => '127.0.0.1' }), false);
-assert.equal(net.isIPv6({ toString: () => 'bla' }), false);
+assert.strictEqual(net.isIPv6({ toString: () => '127.0.0.1' }), false);
+assert.strictEqual(net.isIPv6({ toString: () => 'bla' }), false);
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-net-listen-exclusive-random-ports.js b/test/parallel/test-net-listen-exclusive-random-ports.js
index cc1ab4d805..1909af067c 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-net-listen-exclusive-random-ports.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-net-listen-exclusive-random-ports.js
@@ -10,11 +10,11 @@ if (cluster.isMaster) {
   const worker1 = cluster.fork();
 
   worker1.on('message', function(port1) {
-    assert.equal(port1, port1 | 0, 'first worker could not listen');
+    assert.strictEqual(port1, port1 | 0, 'first worker could not listen');
     const worker2 = cluster.fork();
 
     worker2.on('message', function(port2) {
-      assert.equal(port2, port2 | 0, 'second worker could not listen');
+      assert.strictEqual(port2, port2 | 0, 'second worker could not listen');
       assert.notStrictEqual(port1, port2, 'ports should not be equal');
       worker1.kill();
       worker2.kill();
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-net-listen-shared-ports.js b/test/parallel/test-net-listen-shared-ports.js
index ce344be4a6..e7bc036ff3 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-net-listen-shared-ports.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-net-listen-shared-ports.js
@@ -10,11 +10,11 @@ if (cluster.isMaster) {
   const worker1 = cluster.fork();
 
   worker1.on('message', function(msg) {
-    assert.equal(msg, 'success');
+    assert.strictEqual(msg, 'success');
     const worker2 = cluster.fork();
 
     worker2.on('message', function(msg) {
-      assert.equal(msg, 'server2:EADDRINUSE');
+      assert.strictEqual(msg, 'server2:EADDRINUSE');
       worker1.kill();
       worker2.kill();
     });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-net-persistent-keepalive.js b/test/parallel/test-net-persistent-keepalive.js
index 6338b5932d..8756cd7d1b 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-net-persistent-keepalive.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-net-persistent-keepalive.js
@@ -9,14 +9,14 @@ const echoServer = net.createServer(function(connection) {
   serverConnection = connection;
   setTimeout(function() {
     // make sure both connections are still open
-    assert.equal(serverConnection.readyState, 'open');
-    assert.equal(clientConnection.readyState, 'open');
+    assert.strictEqual(serverConnection.readyState, 'open');
+    assert.strictEqual(clientConnection.readyState, 'open');
     serverConnection.end();
     clientConnection.end();
     echoServer.close();
   }, 600);
   connection.setTimeout(0);
-  assert.equal(typeof connection.setKeepAlive, 'function');
+  assert.strictEqual(typeof connection.setKeepAlive, 'function');
   connection.on('end', function() {
     connection.end();
   });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-net-persistent-nodelay.js b/test/parallel/test-net-persistent-nodelay.js
index 3f94424b0e..bb2a9dfd22 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-net-persistent-nodelay.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-net-persistent-nodelay.js
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ echoServer.on('listening', function() {
   assert.ok(s instanceof net.Socket);
   sock1.connect(this.address().port);
   sock1.on('end', function() {
-    assert.equal(callCount, 1);
+    assert.strictEqual(callCount, 1);
     echoServer.close();
   });
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-net-persistent-ref-unref.js b/test/parallel/test-net-persistent-ref-unref.js
index 1d3cbc6ffa..d8de7ba3f2 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-net-persistent-ref-unref.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-net-persistent-ref-unref.js
@@ -16,13 +16,13 @@ let refCount = 0;
 TCPWrap.prototype.ref = function() {
   ref.call(this);
   refCount++;
-  assert.equal(refCount, 0);
+  assert.strictEqual(refCount, 0);
 };
 
 TCPWrap.prototype.unref = function() {
   unref.call(this);
   refCount--;
-  assert.equal(refCount, -1);
+  assert.strictEqual(refCount, -1);
 };
 
 echoServer.listen(0);
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ echoServer.on('listening', function() {
   sock.ref();
   sock.connect(this.address().port);
   sock.on('end', function() {
-    assert.equal(refCount, 0);
+    assert.strictEqual(refCount, 0);
     echoServer.close();
   });
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-net-reconnect.js b/test/parallel/test-net-reconnect.js
index 47171093ca..c970ad7fc5 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-net-reconnect.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-net-reconnect.js
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ const server = net.createServer(function(socket) {
 
   socket.on('close', function(had_error) {
     console.log('SERVER had_error: ' + JSON.stringify(had_error));
-    assert.equal(false, had_error);
+    assert.strictEqual(false, had_error);
   });
 });
 
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ server.listen(0, function() {
   client.on('data', function(chunk) {
     client_recv_count += 1;
     console.log('client_recv_count ' + client_recv_count);
-    assert.equal('hello\r\n', chunk);
+    assert.strictEqual('hello\r\n', chunk);
     console.error('CLIENT: calling end', client._writableState);
     client.end();
   });
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ server.listen(0, function() {
 
   client.on('close', function(had_error) {
     console.log('CLIENT disconnect');
-    assert.equal(false, had_error);
+    assert.strictEqual(false, had_error);
     if (disconnect_count++ < N)
       client.connect(server.address().port); // reconnect
     else
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ server.listen(0, function() {
 });
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(N + 1, disconnect_count);
-  assert.equal(N + 1, client_recv_count);
-  assert.equal(N + 1, client_end_count);
+  assert.strictEqual(N + 1, disconnect_count);
+  assert.strictEqual(N + 1, client_recv_count);
+  assert.strictEqual(N + 1, client_end_count);
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-net-server-bind.js b/test/parallel/test-net-server-bind.js
index e4dc642164..0332b364df 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-net-server-bind.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-net-server-bind.js
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ server4.listen(common.PORT + 3, 127, function() {
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
   assert.ok(address0.port > 100);
-  assert.equal(common.PORT, address1.port);
+  assert.strictEqual(common.PORT, address1.port);
 
   let expectedConnectionKey1;
 
@@ -79,8 +79,8 @@ process.on('exit', function() {
   else
     expectedConnectionKey1 = '4:0.0.0.0:' + address1.port;
 
-  assert.equal(connectionKey1, expectedConnectionKey1);
-  assert.equal(common.PORT + 1, address2.port);
-  assert.equal(common.PORT + 2, address3.port);
-  assert.equal(common.PORT + 3, address4.port);
+  assert.strictEqual(connectionKey1, expectedConnectionKey1);
+  assert.strictEqual(common.PORT + 1, address2.port);
+  assert.strictEqual(common.PORT + 2, address3.port);
+  assert.strictEqual(common.PORT + 3, address4.port);
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-net-server-close.js b/test/parallel/test-net-server-close.js
index d52cccaacf..e39f851c39 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-net-server-close.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-net-server-close.js
@@ -7,12 +7,12 @@ const events = [];
 const sockets = [];
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(server.connections, 0);
-  assert.equal(events.length, 3);
+  assert.strictEqual(server.connections, 0);
+  assert.strictEqual(events.length, 3);
   // Expect to see one server event and two client events. The order of the
   // events is undefined because they arrive on the same event loop tick.
-  assert.equal(events.join(' ').match(/server/g).length, 1);
-  assert.equal(events.join(' ').match(/client/g).length, 2);
+  assert.strictEqual(events.join(' ').match(/server/g).length, 1);
+  assert.strictEqual(events.join(' ').match(/client/g).length, 2);
 });
 
 const server = net.createServer(function(c) {
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-net-server-connections.js b/test/parallel/test-net-server-connections.js
index 4e41d29a50..7ee1df1a54 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-net-server-connections.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-net-server-connections.js
@@ -9,4 +9,4 @@ const net = require('net');
 
 const server = new net.Server();
 
-assert.equal(Object.keys(server).indexOf('connections'), -1);
+assert.strictEqual(Object.keys(server).indexOf('connections'), -1);
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-net-server-listen-remove-callback.js b/test/parallel/test-net-server-listen-remove-callback.js
index a678922683..cd47f325a9 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-net-server-listen-remove-callback.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-net-server-listen-remove-callback.js
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ const server = net.createServer();
 server.on('close', function() {
   const listeners = server.listeners('listening');
   console.log('Closed, listeners:', listeners.length);
-  assert.equal(0, listeners.length);
+  assert.strictEqual(0, listeners.length);
 });
 
 server.listen(0, function() {
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-net-server-max-connections-close-makes-more-available.js b/test/parallel/test-net-server-max-connections-close-makes-more-available.js
index c7fe7c74a7..4e1f381e0f 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-net-server-max-connections-close-makes-more-available.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-net-server-max-connections-close-makes-more-available.js
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ const createConnection = function(index) {
     });
 
     connection.on('error', function(err) {
-      assert.equal(err.code, 'ECONNRESET');
+      assert.strictEqual(err.code, 'ECONNRESET');
       resolve();
     });
 
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-net-server-pause-on-connect.js b/test/parallel/test-net-server-pause-on-connect.js
index ee5ac4e280..5b42876e6d 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-net-server-pause-on-connect.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-net-server-pause-on-connect.js
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ const server1ConnHandler = function(socket) {
       common.fail('data event should not have happened yet');
     }
 
-    assert.equal(data.toString(), msg, 'invalid data received');
+    assert.strictEqual(data.toString(), msg, 'invalid data received');
     socket.end();
     server1.close();
   });
@@ -25,11 +25,12 @@ const server1 = net.createServer({pauseOnConnect: true}, server1ConnHandler);
 
 const server2ConnHandler = function(socket) {
   socket.on('data', function(data) {
-    assert.equal(data.toString(), msg, 'invalid data received');
+    assert.strictEqual(data.toString(), msg, 'invalid data received');
     socket.end();
     server2.close();
 
-    assert.equal(server1Sock.bytesRead, 0, 'no data should have been read yet');
+    assert.strictEqual(server1Sock.bytesRead, 0,
+                       'no data should have been read yet');
     server1Sock.resume();
     stopped = false;
   });
@@ -47,5 +48,5 @@ server1.listen(0, function() {
 });
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(stopped, false);
+  assert.strictEqual(stopped, false);
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-net-stream.js b/test/parallel/test-net-stream.js
index 9d091bd66f..9e1ca670e1 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-net-stream.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-net-stream.js
@@ -12,11 +12,11 @@ s.server = new net.Server();
 s.server.connections = 10;
 s._server = s.server;
 
-assert.equal(10, s.server.connections);
+assert.strictEqual(10, s.server.connections);
 s.destroy();
-assert.equal(9, s.server.connections);
+assert.strictEqual(9, s.server.connections);
 s.destroy();
-assert.equal(9, s.server.connections);
+assert.strictEqual(9, s.server.connections);
 
 const SIZE = 2E6;
 const N = 10;
@@ -47,5 +47,5 @@ const server = net.createServer(function(socket) {
 });
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(server.connections, 0);
+  assert.strictEqual(server.connections, 0);
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-net-sync-cork.js b/test/parallel/test-net-sync-cork.js
index 4dff309cb9..3872f5f969 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-net-sync-cork.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-net-sync-cork.js
@@ -21,13 +21,13 @@ server.listen(0, function() {
       res = conn.write(buf);
       conn.uncork();
     }
-    assert.equal(i, N);
+    assert.strictEqual(i, N);
     conn.end();
   });
 });
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(server.connections, 0);
+  assert.strictEqual(server.connections, 0);
 });
 
 function handle(socket) {
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-next-tick-ordering.js b/test/parallel/test-next-tick-ordering.js
index 2f13147d8e..ea019facdd 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-next-tick-ordering.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-next-tick-ordering.js
@@ -26,10 +26,10 @@ console.log('Running from main.');
 
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal('nextTick', done[0]);
+  assert.strictEqual('nextTick', done[0]);
   /* Disabling this test. I don't think we can ensure the order
   for (i = 0; i < N; i += 1) {
-    assert.equal(i, done[i + 1]);
+    assert.strictEqual(i, done[i + 1]);
   }
   */
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-next-tick.js b/test/parallel/test-next-tick.js
index 3001ad0e56..9d2b1917fa 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-next-tick.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-next-tick.js
@@ -17,8 +17,8 @@ process.nextTick(common.mustCall(function() {}));
 const obj = {};
 
 process.nextTick(function(a, b) {
-  assert.equal(a, 42);
-  assert.equal(b, obj);
+  assert.strictEqual(a, 42);
+  assert.strictEqual(b, obj);
 }, 42, obj);
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-npm-install.js b/test/parallel/test-npm-install.js
index c7f216fce5..00a3504fa9 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-npm-install.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-npm-install.js
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ const proc = spawn(process.execPath, args, {
 });
 
 function handleExit(code, signalCode) {
-  assert.equal(code, 0, 'npm install should run without an error');
+  assert.strictEqual(code, 0, 'npm install should run without an error');
   assert.ok(signalCode === null, 'signalCode should be null');
   assert.doesNotThrow(function() {
     fs.accessSync(installDir + '/node_modules/package-name');
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-os-homedir-no-envvar.js b/test/parallel/test-os-homedir-no-envvar.js
index 94d8ab5a08..2f9b1b47a7 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-os-homedir-no-envvar.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-os-homedir-no-envvar.js
@@ -26,5 +26,5 @@ if (process.argv[2] === 'child') {
     env: process.env
   });
 
-  assert.equal(child.status, 0);
+  assert.strictEqual(child.status, 0);
 }
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-path-makelong.js b/test/parallel/test-path-makelong.js
index 293d6284f1..1284f62516 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-path-makelong.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-path-makelong.js
@@ -7,18 +7,19 @@ if (common.isWindows) {
   const file = path.join(common.fixturesDir, 'a.js');
   const resolvedFile = path.resolve(file);
 
-  assert.equal('\\\\?\\' + resolvedFile, path._makeLong(file));
-  assert.equal('\\\\?\\' + resolvedFile, path._makeLong('\\\\?\\' + file));
-  assert.equal('\\\\?\\UNC\\someserver\\someshare\\somefile',
-               path._makeLong('\\\\someserver\\someshare\\somefile'));
-  assert.equal('\\\\?\\UNC\\someserver\\someshare\\somefile',
-               path._makeLong('\\\\?\\UNC\\someserver\\someshare\\somefile'));
-  assert.equal('\\\\.\\pipe\\somepipe',
-               path._makeLong('\\\\.\\pipe\\somepipe'));
+  assert.strictEqual('\\\\?\\' + resolvedFile, path._makeLong(file));
+  assert.strictEqual('\\\\?\\' + resolvedFile, path._makeLong('\\\\?\\' +
+                     file));
+  assert.strictEqual('\\\\?\\UNC\\someserver\\someshare\\somefile',
+                     path._makeLong('\\\\someserver\\someshare\\somefile'));
+  assert.strictEqual('\\\\?\\UNC\\someserver\\someshare\\somefile', path
+    ._makeLong('\\\\?\\UNC\\someserver\\someshare\\somefile'));
+  assert.strictEqual('\\\\.\\pipe\\somepipe',
+                     path._makeLong('\\\\.\\pipe\\somepipe'));
 }
 
-assert.equal(path._makeLong(null), null);
-assert.equal(path._makeLong(100), 100);
-assert.equal(path._makeLong(path), path);
-assert.equal(path._makeLong(false), false);
-assert.equal(path._makeLong(true), true);
+assert.strictEqual(path._makeLong(null), null);
+assert.strictEqual(path._makeLong(100), 100);
+assert.strictEqual(path._makeLong(path), path);
+assert.strictEqual(path._makeLong(false), false);
+assert.strictEqual(path._makeLong(true), true);
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-path-parse-format.js b/test/parallel/test-path-parse-format.js
index f112bc0e40..ac0cf62117 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-path-parse-format.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-path-parse-format.js
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ trailingTests.forEach(function(test) {
       failures.push('\n' + message);
   });
 });
-assert.equal(failures.length, 0, failures.join(''));
+assert.strictEqual(failures.length, 0, failures.join(''));
 
 function checkErrors(path) {
   errors.forEach(function(errorCase) {
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-path-zero-length-strings.js b/test/parallel/test-path-zero-length-strings.js
index b08ef48092..ec9585fafa 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-path-zero-length-strings.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-path-zero-length-strings.js
@@ -12,28 +12,28 @@ const pwd = process.cwd();
 
 // join will internally ignore all the zero-length strings and it will return
 // '.' if the joined string is a zero-length string.
-assert.equal(path.posix.join(''), '.');
-assert.equal(path.posix.join('', ''), '.');
-assert.equal(path.win32.join(''), '.');
-assert.equal(path.win32.join('', ''), '.');
-assert.equal(path.join(pwd), pwd);
-assert.equal(path.join(pwd, ''), pwd);
+assert.strictEqual(path.posix.join(''), '.');
+assert.strictEqual(path.posix.join('', ''), '.');
+assert.strictEqual(path.win32.join(''), '.');
+assert.strictEqual(path.win32.join('', ''), '.');
+assert.strictEqual(path.join(pwd), pwd);
+assert.strictEqual(path.join(pwd, ''), pwd);
 
 // normalize will return '.' if the input is a zero-length string
-assert.equal(path.posix.normalize(''), '.');
-assert.equal(path.win32.normalize(''), '.');
-assert.equal(path.normalize(pwd), pwd);
+assert.strictEqual(path.posix.normalize(''), '.');
+assert.strictEqual(path.win32.normalize(''), '.');
+assert.strictEqual(path.normalize(pwd), pwd);
 
 // Since '' is not a valid path in any of the common environments, return false
-assert.equal(path.posix.isAbsolute(''), false);
-assert.equal(path.win32.isAbsolute(''), false);
+assert.strictEqual(path.posix.isAbsolute(''), false);
+assert.strictEqual(path.win32.isAbsolute(''), false);
 
 // resolve, internally ignores all the zero-length strings and returns the
 // current working directory
-assert.equal(path.resolve(''), pwd);
-assert.equal(path.resolve('', ''), pwd);
+assert.strictEqual(path.resolve(''), pwd);
+assert.strictEqual(path.resolve('', ''), pwd);
 
 // relative, internally calls resolve. So, '' is actually the current directory
-assert.equal(path.relative('', pwd), '');
-assert.equal(path.relative(pwd, ''), '');
-assert.equal(path.relative(pwd, pwd), '');
+assert.strictEqual(path.relative('', pwd), '');
+assert.strictEqual(path.relative(pwd, ''), '');
+assert.strictEqual(path.relative(pwd, pwd), '');
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-path.js b/test/parallel/test-path.js
index 3843088ebd..b074e83c13 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-path.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-path.js
@@ -453,7 +453,7 @@ if (common.isWindows) {
   const spawnResult = child.spawnSync(
     process.argv[0], [resolveFixture, currentDriveLetter]);
   const resolvedPath = spawnResult.stdout.toString().trim();
-  assert.equal(resolvedPath.toLowerCase(), process.cwd().toLowerCase());
+  assert.strictEqual(resolvedPath.toLowerCase(), process.cwd().toLowerCase());
 }
 
 
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-pipe-stream.js b/test/parallel/test-pipe-stream.js
index 5e3774fc99..8fd9d31d49 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-pipe-stream.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-pipe-stream.js
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ function test(clazz, cb) {
     });
 
     conn.on('data', function(data) {
-      assert.equal(data.toString(), 'PONG');
+      assert.strictEqual(data.toString(), 'PONG');
       have_pong = true;
       conn.destroy();
     });
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ function test(clazz, cb) {
     });
 
     conn.on('data', function(data) {
-      assert.equal(data.toString(), 'PING');
+      assert.strictEqual(data.toString(), 'PING');
       have_ping = true;
       conn.write('PONG', 'utf-8');
     });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-process-argv-0.js b/test/parallel/test-process-argv-0.js
index d6b4bfe232..8e4f0e695e 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-process-argv-0.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-process-argv-0.js
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ if (process.argv[2] !== 'child') {
     childArgv0 += chunk;
   });
   process.on('exit', function() {
-    assert.equal(childArgv0, process.execPath);
+    assert.strictEqual(childArgv0, process.execPath);
   });
 } else {
   process.stdout.write(process.argv[0]);
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-process-env.js b/test/parallel/test-process-env.js
index 21898d1942..5ea0a4a57e 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-process-env.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-process-env.js
@@ -63,8 +63,8 @@ process.env.TZ = 'Europe/Amsterdam';
 
 // time difference between Greenwich and Amsterdam is +2 hours in the summer
 date = new Date('Fri, 10 Sep 1982 03:15:00 GMT');
-assert.equal(3, date.getUTCHours());
-assert.equal(5, date.getHours());
+assert.strictEqual(3, date.getUTCHours());
+assert.strictEqual(5, date.getHours());
 */
 /* eslint-enable max-len */
 
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-process-exit-code.js b/test/parallel/test-process-exit-code.js
index 337502ffcb..8d0ed1b33b 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-process-exit-code.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-process-exit-code.js
@@ -22,14 +22,14 @@ switch (process.argv[2]) {
 function child1() {
   process.exitCode = 42;
   process.on('exit', function(code) {
-    assert.equal(code, 42);
+    assert.strictEqual(code, 42);
   });
 }
 
 function child2() {
   process.exitCode = 99;
   process.on('exit', function(code) {
-    assert.equal(code, 42);
+    assert.strictEqual(code, 42);
   });
   process.exit(42);
 }
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ function child2() {
 function child3() {
   process.exitCode = 99;
   process.on('exit', function(code) {
-    assert.equal(code, 0);
+    assert.strictEqual(code, 0);
   });
   process.exit(0);
 }
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ function child4() {
 function child5() {
   process.exitCode = 95;
   process.on('exit', function(code) {
-    assert.equal(code, 95);
+    assert.strictEqual(code, 95);
     process.exitCode = 99;
   });
 }
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ function test(arg, exit) {
   const f = __filename;
   const option = { stdio: [ 0, 1, 'ignore' ] };
   spawn(node, [f, arg], option).on('exit', function(code) {
-    assert.equal(code, exit, 'wrong exit for ' +
+    assert.strictEqual(code, exit, 'wrong exit for ' +
                  arg + '\nexpected:' + exit +
                  ' but got:' + code);
     console.log('ok - %s exited with %d', arg, exit);
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-process-exit-recursive.js b/test/parallel/test-process-exit-recursive.js
index 1634aad154..48ad825916 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-process-exit-recursive.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-process-exit-recursive.js
@@ -6,8 +6,8 @@ const assert = require('assert');
 let nexits = 0;
 
 process.on('exit', function(code) {
-  assert.equal(nexits++, 0);
-  assert.equal(code, 1);
+  assert.strictEqual(nexits++, 0);
+  assert.strictEqual(code, 1);
 
   // now override the exit code of 1 with 0 so that the test passes
   process.exit(0);
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-process-exit.js b/test/parallel/test-process-exit.js
index f7df7737ed..a4ea2bf51b 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-process-exit.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-process-exit.js
@@ -6,8 +6,8 @@ const assert = require('assert');
 let nexits = 0;
 
 process.on('exit', function(code) {
-  assert.equal(nexits++, 0);
-  assert.equal(code, 0);
+  assert.strictEqual(nexits++, 0);
+  assert.strictEqual(code, 0);
   process.exit();
 });
 
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-process-getactiverequests.js b/test/parallel/test-process-getactiverequests.js
index 30773f8f11..f1874e4ad0 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-process-getactiverequests.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-process-getactiverequests.js
@@ -7,4 +7,4 @@ const fs = require('fs');
 for (let i = 0; i < 12; i++)
   fs.open(__filename, 'r', function() { });
 
-assert.equal(12, process._getActiveRequests().length);
+assert.strictEqual(12, process._getActiveRequests().length);
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-process-getgroups.js b/test/parallel/test-process-getgroups.js
index e92f048539..2d7a93c9a3 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-process-getgroups.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-process-getgroups.js
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ if (typeof process.getgroups === 'function') {
   exec('id -G', function(err, stdout) {
     assert.ifError(err);
     const real_groups = stdout.match(/\d+/g).map(Number);
-    assert.equal(groups.length, real_groups.length);
+    assert.strictEqual(groups.length, real_groups.length);
     check(groups, real_groups);
     check(real_groups, groups);
   });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-process-kill-pid.js b/test/parallel/test-process-kill-pid.js
index 2c6ef37fc1..79dc00163b 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-process-kill-pid.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-process-kill-pid.js
@@ -47,8 +47,8 @@ function kill(tryPid, trySig, expectPid, expectSig) {
 
   process.kill(tryPid, trySig);
 
-  assert.equal(getPid, expectPid);
-  assert.equal(getSig, expectSig);
+  assert.strictEqual(getPid.toString(), expectPid.toString());
+  assert.strictEqual(getSig, expectSig);
 }
 
 // Note that SIGHUP and SIGTERM map to 1 and 15 respectively, even on Windows
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-process-raw-debug.js b/test/parallel/test-process-raw-debug.js
index 74c99b1f8f..dc31c3737a 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-process-raw-debug.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-process-raw-debug.js
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ function parent() {
   child.stderr.setEncoding('utf8');
 
   child.stderr.on('end', function() {
-    assert.equal(output, 'I can still debug!' + os.EOL);
+    assert.strictEqual(output, 'I can still debug!' + os.EOL);
     console.log('ok - got expected message');
   });
 
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-process-remove-all-signal-listeners.js b/test/parallel/test-process-remove-all-signal-listeners.js
index 76a96f7683..85db45ff88 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-process-remove-all-signal-listeners.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-process-remove-all-signal-listeners.js
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ if (process.argv[2] !== '--do-test') {
   const child = spawn(process.execPath, [__filename, '--do-test']);
 
   child.once('exit', common.mustCall(function(code, signal) {
-    assert.equal(signal, 'SIGINT');
+    assert.strictEqual(signal, 'SIGINT');
   }));
 
   return;
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-process-wrap.js b/test/parallel/test-process-wrap.js
index 326854e983..fee40a8416 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-process-wrap.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-process-wrap.js
@@ -15,8 +15,8 @@ p.onexit = function(exitCode, signal) {
   p.close();
   pipe.readStart();
 
-  assert.equal(0, exitCode);
-  assert.equal(0, signal);
+  assert.strictEqual(0, exitCode);
+  assert.strictEqual('', signal);
 
   processExited = true;
 };
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-promises-unhandled-rejections.js b/test/parallel/test-promises-unhandled-rejections.js
index 27cb94bf70..6ae70fef97 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-promises-unhandled-rejections.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-promises-unhandled-rejections.js
@@ -669,7 +669,7 @@ asyncTest('Throwing an error inside a rejectionHandled handler goes to' +
   const e = new Error();
   const e2 = new Error();
   const tearDownException = setupException(function(err) {
-    assert.equal(e2, err);
+    assert.strictEqual(e2, err);
     tearDownException();
     done();
   });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-querystring-maxKeys-non-finite.js b/test/parallel/test-querystring-maxKeys-non-finite.js
index 8aa47f7de0..3df381405d 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-querystring-maxKeys-non-finite.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-querystring-maxKeys-non-finite.js
@@ -47,9 +47,9 @@ const resultInfinityString = parse(params, undefined, undefined, {
 const resultNaNString = parse(params, undefined, undefined, {maxKeys: 'NaN'});
 
 // Non Finite maxKeys should return the length of input
-assert.equal(Object.keys(resultInfinity).length, count);
-assert.equal(Object.keys(resultNaN).length, count);
+assert.strictEqual(Object.keys(resultInfinity).length, count);
+assert.strictEqual(Object.keys(resultNaN).length, count);
 // Strings maxKeys should return the maxLength
 // defined by parses internals
-assert.equal(Object.keys(resultInfinityString).length, originalMaxLength);
-assert.equal(Object.keys(resultNaNString).length, originalMaxLength);
+assert.strictEqual(Object.keys(resultInfinityString).length, originalMaxLength);
+assert.strictEqual(Object.keys(resultNaNString).length, originalMaxLength);
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-querystring.js b/test/parallel/test-querystring.js
index 8cc589944b..89c880c7e0 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-querystring.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-querystring.js
@@ -168,15 +168,15 @@ qsNoMungeTestCases.forEach(function(testCase) {
 
 // basic
 qsTestCases.forEach(function(testCase) {
-  assert.equal(testCase[1], qs.stringify(testCase[2]));
+  assert.strictEqual(testCase[1], qs.stringify(testCase[2]));
 });
 
 qsColonTestCases.forEach(function(testCase) {
-  assert.equal(testCase[1], qs.stringify(testCase[2], ';', ':'));
+  assert.strictEqual(testCase[1], qs.stringify(testCase[2], ';', ':'));
 });
 
 qsWeirdObjects.forEach(function(testCase) {
-  assert.equal(testCase[1], qs.stringify(testCase[0]));
+  assert.strictEqual(testCase[1], qs.stringify(testCase[0]));
 });
 
 // invalid surrogate pair throws URIError
@@ -201,7 +201,7 @@ assert.strictEqual('foo=', qs.stringify({ foo: Infinity }));
       y: 'z'
     })
   });
-  assert.equal(f, 'a=b&q=x%3Dy%26y%3Dz');
+  assert.strictEqual(f, 'a=b&q=x%3Dy%26y%3Dz');
 }
 
 assert.doesNotThrow(function() {
@@ -217,14 +217,14 @@ assert.doesNotThrow(function() {
       y: 'z'
     }, ';', ':')
   }, ';', ':');
-  assert.equal(f, 'a:b;q:x%3Ay%3By%3Az');
+  assert.strictEqual(f, 'a:b;q:x%3Ay%3By%3Az');
 }
 
 check(qs.parse(), {});
 
 
 // Test limiting
-assert.equal(
+assert.strictEqual(
     Object.keys(qs.parse('a=1&b=1&c=1', null, null, { maxKeys: 1 })).length,
     1);
 
@@ -236,7 +236,7 @@ function testUnlimitedKeys() {
 
   const url = qs.stringify(query);
 
-  assert.equal(
+  assert.strictEqual(
       Object.keys(qs.parse(url, null, null, { maxKeys: 0 })).length,
       2000);
 }
@@ -246,26 +246,26 @@ testUnlimitedKeys();
 const b = qs.unescapeBuffer('%d3%f2Ug%1f6v%24%5e%98%cb' +
                           '%0d%ac%a2%2f%9d%eb%d8%a2%e6');
 // <Buffer d3 f2 55 67 1f 36 76 24 5e 98 cb 0d ac a2 2f 9d eb d8 a2 e6>
-assert.equal(0xd3, b[0]);
-assert.equal(0xf2, b[1]);
-assert.equal(0x55, b[2]);
-assert.equal(0x67, b[3]);
-assert.equal(0x1f, b[4]);
-assert.equal(0x36, b[5]);
-assert.equal(0x76, b[6]);
-assert.equal(0x24, b[7]);
-assert.equal(0x5e, b[8]);
-assert.equal(0x98, b[9]);
-assert.equal(0xcb, b[10]);
-assert.equal(0x0d, b[11]);
-assert.equal(0xac, b[12]);
-assert.equal(0xa2, b[13]);
-assert.equal(0x2f, b[14]);
-assert.equal(0x9d, b[15]);
-assert.equal(0xeb, b[16]);
-assert.equal(0xd8, b[17]);
-assert.equal(0xa2, b[18]);
-assert.equal(0xe6, b[19]);
+assert.strictEqual(0xd3, b[0]);
+assert.strictEqual(0xf2, b[1]);
+assert.strictEqual(0x55, b[2]);
+assert.strictEqual(0x67, b[3]);
+assert.strictEqual(0x1f, b[4]);
+assert.strictEqual(0x36, b[5]);
+assert.strictEqual(0x76, b[6]);
+assert.strictEqual(0x24, b[7]);
+assert.strictEqual(0x5e, b[8]);
+assert.strictEqual(0x98, b[9]);
+assert.strictEqual(0xcb, b[10]);
+assert.strictEqual(0x0d, b[11]);
+assert.strictEqual(0xac, b[12]);
+assert.strictEqual(0xa2, b[13]);
+assert.strictEqual(0x2f, b[14]);
+assert.strictEqual(0x9d, b[15]);
+assert.strictEqual(0xeb, b[16]);
+assert.strictEqual(0xd8, b[17]);
+assert.strictEqual(0xa2, b[18]);
+assert.strictEqual(0xe6, b[19]);
 
 
 // Test custom decode
@@ -281,7 +281,7 @@ function demoEncode(str) {
   return str[0];
 }
 const obj = { aa: 'aa', bb: 'bb', cc: 'cc' };
-assert.equal(
+assert.strictEqual(
   qs.stringify(obj, null, null, { encodeURIComponent: demoEncode }),
   'a=a&b=b&c=c');
 
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-readdouble.js b/test/parallel/test-readdouble.js
index 728a2b4605..00340a39e6 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-readdouble.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-readdouble.js
@@ -19,8 +19,8 @@ function test(clazz) {
   buffer[5] = 0x55;
   buffer[6] = 0xd5;
   buffer[7] = 0x3f;
-  assert.equal(1.1945305291680097e+103, buffer.readDoubleBE(0));
-  assert.equal(0.3333333333333333, buffer.readDoubleLE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(1.1945305291680097e+103, buffer.readDoubleBE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(0.3333333333333333, buffer.readDoubleLE(0));
 
   buffer[0] = 1;
   buffer[1] = 0;
@@ -30,18 +30,18 @@ function test(clazz) {
   buffer[5] = 0;
   buffer[6] = 0xf0;
   buffer[7] = 0x3f;
-  assert.equal(7.291122019655968e-304, buffer.readDoubleBE(0));
-  assert.equal(1.0000000000000002, buffer.readDoubleLE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(7.291122019655968e-304, buffer.readDoubleBE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(1.0000000000000002, buffer.readDoubleLE(0));
 
   buffer[0] = 2;
-  assert.equal(4.778309726801735e-299, buffer.readDoubleBE(0));
-  assert.equal(1.0000000000000004, buffer.readDoubleLE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(4.778309726801735e-299, buffer.readDoubleBE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(1.0000000000000004, buffer.readDoubleLE(0));
 
   buffer[0] = 1;
   buffer[6] = 0;
   buffer[7] = 0;
-  assert.equal(7.291122019556398e-304, buffer.readDoubleBE(0));
-  assert.equal(5e-324, buffer.readDoubleLE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(7.291122019556398e-304, buffer.readDoubleBE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(5e-324, buffer.readDoubleLE(0));
 
   buffer[0] = 0xff;
   buffer[1] = 0xff;
@@ -52,12 +52,12 @@ function test(clazz) {
   buffer[6] = 0x0f;
   buffer[7] = 0x00;
   assert.ok(isNaN(buffer.readDoubleBE(0)));
-  assert.equal(2.225073858507201e-308, buffer.readDoubleLE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(2.225073858507201e-308, buffer.readDoubleLE(0));
 
   buffer[6] = 0xef;
   buffer[7] = 0x7f;
   assert.ok(isNaN(buffer.readDoubleBE(0)));
-  assert.equal(1.7976931348623157e+308, buffer.readDoubleLE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(1.7976931348623157e+308, buffer.readDoubleLE(0));
 
   buffer[0] = 0;
   buffer[1] = 0;
@@ -67,42 +67,42 @@ function test(clazz) {
   buffer[5] = 0;
   buffer[6] = 0xf0;
   buffer[7] = 0x3f;
-  assert.equal(3.03865e-319, buffer.readDoubleBE(0));
-  assert.equal(1, buffer.readDoubleLE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(3.03865e-319, buffer.readDoubleBE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(1, buffer.readDoubleLE(0));
 
   buffer[6] = 0;
   buffer[7] = 0x40;
-  assert.equal(3.16e-322, buffer.readDoubleBE(0));
-  assert.equal(2, buffer.readDoubleLE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(3.16e-322, buffer.readDoubleBE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(2, buffer.readDoubleLE(0));
 
   buffer[7] = 0xc0;
-  assert.equal(9.5e-322, buffer.readDoubleBE(0));
-  assert.equal(-2, buffer.readDoubleLE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(9.5e-322, buffer.readDoubleBE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(-2, buffer.readDoubleLE(0));
 
   buffer[6] = 0x10;
   buffer[7] = 0;
-  assert.equal(2.0237e-320, buffer.readDoubleBE(0));
-  assert.equal(2.2250738585072014e-308, buffer.readDoubleLE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(2.0237e-320, buffer.readDoubleBE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(2.2250738585072014e-308, buffer.readDoubleLE(0));
 
   buffer[6] = 0;
-  assert.equal(0, buffer.readDoubleBE(0));
-  assert.equal(0, buffer.readDoubleLE(0));
-  assert.equal(false, 1 / buffer.readDoubleLE(0) < 0);
+  assert.strictEqual(0, buffer.readDoubleBE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(0, buffer.readDoubleLE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(false, 1 / buffer.readDoubleLE(0) < 0);
 
   buffer[7] = 0x80;
-  assert.equal(6.3e-322, buffer.readDoubleBE(0));
-  assert.equal(0, buffer.readDoubleLE(0));
-  assert.equal(true, 1 / buffer.readDoubleLE(0) < 0);
+  assert.strictEqual(6.3e-322, buffer.readDoubleBE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(0, buffer.readDoubleLE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(true, 1 / buffer.readDoubleLE(0) < 0);
 
   buffer[6] = 0xf0;
   buffer[7] = 0x7f;
-  assert.equal(3.0418e-319, buffer.readDoubleBE(0));
-  assert.equal(Infinity, buffer.readDoubleLE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(3.0418e-319, buffer.readDoubleBE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(Infinity, buffer.readDoubleLE(0));
 
   buffer[6] = 0xf0;
   buffer[7] = 0xff;
-  assert.equal(3.04814e-319, buffer.readDoubleBE(0));
-  assert.equal(-Infinity, buffer.readDoubleLE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(3.04814e-319, buffer.readDoubleBE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(-Infinity, buffer.readDoubleLE(0));
 }
 
 
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-readfloat.js b/test/parallel/test-readfloat.js
index 437e477867..0175c195b8 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-readfloat.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-readfloat.js
@@ -15,56 +15,56 @@ function test(clazz) {
   buffer[1] = 0;
   buffer[2] = 0x80;
   buffer[3] = 0x3f;
-  assert.equal(4.600602988224807e-41, buffer.readFloatBE(0));
-  assert.equal(1, buffer.readFloatLE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(4.600602988224807e-41, buffer.readFloatBE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(1, buffer.readFloatLE(0));
 
   buffer[0] = 0;
   buffer[1] = 0;
   buffer[2] = 0;
   buffer[3] = 0xc0;
-  assert.equal(2.6904930515036488e-43, buffer.readFloatBE(0));
-  assert.equal(-2, buffer.readFloatLE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(2.6904930515036488e-43, buffer.readFloatBE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(-2, buffer.readFloatLE(0));
 
   buffer[0] = 0xff;
   buffer[1] = 0xff;
   buffer[2] = 0x7f;
   buffer[3] = 0x7f;
   assert.ok(isNaN(buffer.readFloatBE(0)));
-  assert.equal(3.4028234663852886e+38, buffer.readFloatLE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(3.4028234663852886e+38, buffer.readFloatLE(0));
 
   buffer[0] = 0xab;
   buffer[1] = 0xaa;
   buffer[2] = 0xaa;
   buffer[3] = 0x3e;
-  assert.equal(-1.2126478207002966e-12, buffer.readFloatBE(0));
-  assert.equal(0.3333333432674408, buffer.readFloatLE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(-1.2126478207002966e-12, buffer.readFloatBE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(0.3333333432674408, buffer.readFloatLE(0));
 
   buffer[0] = 0;
   buffer[1] = 0;
   buffer[2] = 0;
   buffer[3] = 0;
-  assert.equal(0, buffer.readFloatBE(0));
-  assert.equal(0, buffer.readFloatLE(0));
-  assert.equal(false, 1 / buffer.readFloatLE(0) < 0);
+  assert.strictEqual(0, buffer.readFloatBE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(0, buffer.readFloatLE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(false, 1 / buffer.readFloatLE(0) < 0);
 
   buffer[3] = 0x80;
-  assert.equal(1.793662034335766e-43, buffer.readFloatBE(0));
-  assert.equal(0, buffer.readFloatLE(0));
-  assert.equal(true, 1 / buffer.readFloatLE(0) < 0);
+  assert.strictEqual(1.793662034335766e-43, buffer.readFloatBE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(0, buffer.readFloatLE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(true, 1 / buffer.readFloatLE(0) < 0);
 
   buffer[0] = 0;
   buffer[1] = 0;
   buffer[2] = 0x80;
   buffer[3] = 0x7f;
-  assert.equal(4.609571298396486e-41, buffer.readFloatBE(0));
-  assert.equal(Infinity, buffer.readFloatLE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(4.609571298396486e-41, buffer.readFloatBE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(Infinity, buffer.readFloatLE(0));
 
   buffer[0] = 0;
   buffer[1] = 0;
   buffer[2] = 0x80;
   buffer[3] = 0xff;
-  assert.equal(4.627507918739843e-41, buffer.readFloatBE(0));
-  assert.equal(-Infinity, buffer.readFloatLE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(4.627507918739843e-41, buffer.readFloatBE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(-Infinity, buffer.readFloatLE(0));
 }
 
 
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-readint.js b/test/parallel/test-readint.js
index 086dd4e3aa..97faa1e7d5 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-readint.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-readint.js
@@ -12,19 +12,19 @@ function test8(clazz) {
   const data = new clazz(4);
 
   data[0] = 0x23;
-  assert.equal(0x23, data.readInt8(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(0x23, data.readInt8(0));
 
   data[0] = 0xff;
-  assert.equal(-1, data.readInt8(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(-1, data.readInt8(0));
 
   data[0] = 0x87;
   data[1] = 0xab;
   data[2] = 0x7c;
   data[3] = 0xef;
-  assert.equal(-121, data.readInt8(0));
-  assert.equal(-85, data.readInt8(1));
-  assert.equal(124, data.readInt8(2));
-  assert.equal(-17, data.readInt8(3));
+  assert.strictEqual(-121, data.readInt8(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(-85, data.readInt8(1));
+  assert.strictEqual(124, data.readInt8(2));
+  assert.strictEqual(-17, data.readInt8(3));
 }
 
 
@@ -33,13 +33,13 @@ function test16(clazz) {
 
   buffer[0] = 0x16;
   buffer[1] = 0x79;
-  assert.equal(0x1679, buffer.readInt16BE(0));
-  assert.equal(0x7916, buffer.readInt16LE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(0x1679, buffer.readInt16BE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(0x7916, buffer.readInt16LE(0));
 
   buffer[0] = 0xff;
   buffer[1] = 0x80;
-  assert.equal(-128, buffer.readInt16BE(0));
-  assert.equal(-32513, buffer.readInt16LE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(-128, buffer.readInt16BE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(-32513, buffer.readInt16LE(0));
 
   /* test offset with weenix */
   buffer[0] = 0x77;
@@ -48,16 +48,16 @@ function test16(clazz) {
   buffer[3] = 0x6e;
   buffer[4] = 0x69;
   buffer[5] = 0x78;
-  assert.equal(0x7765, buffer.readInt16BE(0));
-  assert.equal(0x6565, buffer.readInt16BE(1));
-  assert.equal(0x656e, buffer.readInt16BE(2));
-  assert.equal(0x6e69, buffer.readInt16BE(3));
-  assert.equal(0x6978, buffer.readInt16BE(4));
-  assert.equal(0x6577, buffer.readInt16LE(0));
-  assert.equal(0x6565, buffer.readInt16LE(1));
-  assert.equal(0x6e65, buffer.readInt16LE(2));
-  assert.equal(0x696e, buffer.readInt16LE(3));
-  assert.equal(0x7869, buffer.readInt16LE(4));
+  assert.strictEqual(0x7765, buffer.readInt16BE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(0x6565, buffer.readInt16BE(1));
+  assert.strictEqual(0x656e, buffer.readInt16BE(2));
+  assert.strictEqual(0x6e69, buffer.readInt16BE(3));
+  assert.strictEqual(0x6978, buffer.readInt16BE(4));
+  assert.strictEqual(0x6577, buffer.readInt16LE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(0x6565, buffer.readInt16LE(1));
+  assert.strictEqual(0x6e65, buffer.readInt16LE(2));
+  assert.strictEqual(0x696e, buffer.readInt16LE(3));
+  assert.strictEqual(0x7869, buffer.readInt16LE(4));
 }
 
 
@@ -68,15 +68,15 @@ function test32(clazz) {
   buffer[1] = 0x53;
   buffer[2] = 0x16;
   buffer[3] = 0x79;
-  assert.equal(0x43531679, buffer.readInt32BE(0));
-  assert.equal(0x79165343, buffer.readInt32LE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(0x43531679, buffer.readInt32BE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(0x79165343, buffer.readInt32LE(0));
 
   buffer[0] = 0xff;
   buffer[1] = 0xfe;
   buffer[2] = 0xef;
   buffer[3] = 0xfa;
-  assert.equal(-69638, buffer.readInt32BE(0));
-  assert.equal(-84934913, buffer.readInt32LE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(-69638, buffer.readInt32BE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(-84934913, buffer.readInt32LE(0));
 
   buffer[0] = 0x42;
   buffer[1] = 0xc3;
@@ -84,12 +84,12 @@ function test32(clazz) {
   buffer[3] = 0xa9;
   buffer[4] = 0x36;
   buffer[5] = 0x17;
-  assert.equal(0x42c395a9, buffer.readInt32BE(0));
-  assert.equal(-1013601994, buffer.readInt32BE(1));
-  assert.equal(-1784072681, buffer.readInt32BE(2));
-  assert.equal(-1449802942, buffer.readInt32LE(0));
-  assert.equal(917083587, buffer.readInt32LE(1));
-  assert.equal(389458325, buffer.readInt32LE(2));
+  assert.strictEqual(0x42c395a9, buffer.readInt32BE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(-1013601994, buffer.readInt32BE(1));
+  assert.strictEqual(-1784072681, buffer.readInt32BE(2));
+  assert.strictEqual(-1449802942, buffer.readInt32LE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(917083587, buffer.readInt32LE(1));
+  assert.strictEqual(389458325, buffer.readInt32LE(2));
 }
 
 
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-readline-interface.js b/test/parallel/test-readline-interface.js
index e8fc92ad1c..53c132dc30 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-readline-interface.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-readline-interface.js
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ function isWarned(emitter) {
   called = false;
   rli.on('line', function(line) {
     called = true;
-    assert.equal(line, 'asdf');
+    assert.strictEqual(line, 'asdf');
   });
   fi.emit('data', 'asdf\n');
   assert.ok(called);
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ function isWarned(emitter) {
   called = false;
   rli.on('line', function(line) {
     called = true;
-    assert.equal(line, '');
+    assert.strictEqual(line, '');
   });
   fi.emit('data', '\n');
   assert.ok(called);
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ function isWarned(emitter) {
   called = false;
   rli.on('line', function(line) {
     called = true;
-    assert.equal(line, 'a');
+    assert.strictEqual(line, 'a');
   });
   fi.emit('data', 'a');
   assert.ok(!called);
@@ -131,11 +131,11 @@ function isWarned(emitter) {
   let expectedLines = ['foo', 'bar', 'baz'];
   let callCount = 0;
   rli.on('line', function(line) {
-    assert.equal(line, expectedLines[callCount]);
+    assert.strictEqual(line, expectedLines[callCount]);
     callCount++;
   });
   fi.emit('data', expectedLines.join('\n') + '\n');
-  assert.equal(callCount, expectedLines.length);
+  assert.strictEqual(callCount, expectedLines.length);
   rli.close();
 
   // sending multiple newlines at once that does not end with a new line
@@ -144,11 +144,11 @@ function isWarned(emitter) {
   expectedLines = ['foo', 'bar', 'baz', 'bat'];
   callCount = 0;
   rli.on('line', function(line) {
-    assert.equal(line, expectedLines[callCount]);
+    assert.strictEqual(line, expectedLines[callCount]);
     callCount++;
   });
   fi.emit('data', expectedLines.join('\n'));
-  assert.equal(callCount, expectedLines.length - 1);
+  assert.strictEqual(callCount, expectedLines.length - 1);
   rli.close();
 
   // sending multiple newlines at once that does not end with a new(empty)
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ function isWarned(emitter) {
   expectedLines = ['foo', 'bar', 'baz', ''];
   callCount = 0;
   rli.on('line', function(line) {
-    assert.equal(line, expectedLines[callCount]);
+    assert.strictEqual(line, expectedLines[callCount]);
     callCount++;
   });
   rli.on('close', function() {
@@ -166,7 +166,7 @@ function isWarned(emitter) {
   });
   fi.emit('data', expectedLines.join('\n'));
   fi.emit('end');
-  assert.equal(callCount, expectedLines.length);
+  assert.strictEqual(callCount, expectedLines.length);
   rli.close();
 
   // sending multiple newlines at once that does not end with a new line
@@ -178,11 +178,11 @@ function isWarned(emitter) {
   expectedLines = ['foo', 'bar', 'baz', 'bat'];
   callCount = 0;
   rli.on('line', function(line) {
-    assert.equal(line, expectedLines[callCount]);
+    assert.strictEqual(line, expectedLines[callCount]);
     callCount++;
   });
   fi.emit('data', expectedLines.join('\r\n'));
-  assert.equal(callCount, expectedLines.length - 1);
+  assert.strictEqual(callCount, expectedLines.length - 1);
   rli.close();
 
   // \r\n should emit one line event when split across multiple writes.
@@ -191,14 +191,14 @@ function isWarned(emitter) {
   expectedLines = ['foo', 'bar', 'baz', 'bat'];
   callCount = 0;
   rli.on('line', function(line) {
-    assert.equal(line, expectedLines[callCount]);
+    assert.strictEqual(line, expectedLines[callCount]);
     callCount++;
   });
   expectedLines.forEach(function(line) {
     fi.emit('data', line + '\r');
     fi.emit('data', '\n');
   });
-  assert.equal(callCount, expectedLines.length);
+  assert.strictEqual(callCount, expectedLines.length);
   rli.close();
 
   // \r should behave like \n when alone
@@ -207,11 +207,11 @@ function isWarned(emitter) {
   expectedLines = ['foo', 'bar', 'baz', 'bat'];
   callCount = 0;
   rli.on('line', function(line) {
-    assert.equal(line, expectedLines[callCount]);
+    assert.strictEqual(line, expectedLines[callCount]);
     callCount++;
   });
   fi.emit('data', expectedLines.join('\r'));
-  assert.equal(callCount, expectedLines.length - 1);
+  assert.strictEqual(callCount, expectedLines.length - 1);
   rli.close();
 
   // \r at start of input should output blank line
@@ -220,11 +220,11 @@ function isWarned(emitter) {
   expectedLines = ['', 'foo' ];
   callCount = 0;
   rli.on('line', function(line) {
-    assert.equal(line, expectedLines[callCount]);
+    assert.strictEqual(line, expectedLines[callCount]);
     callCount++;
   });
   fi.emit('data', '\rfoo\r');
-  assert.equal(callCount, expectedLines.length);
+  assert.strictEqual(callCount, expectedLines.length);
   rli.close();
 
   // Emit two line events when the delay
@@ -245,7 +245,7 @@ function isWarned(emitter) {
     fi.emit('data', '\r');
     setTimeout(common.mustCall(() => {
       fi.emit('data', '\n');
-      assert.equal(callCount, 2);
+      assert.strictEqual(callCount, 2);
       rli.close();
     }), delay * 2);
   }
@@ -256,7 +256,7 @@ function isWarned(emitter) {
   rli = new readline.Interface({ input: fi, output: fi, terminal: true });
   called = false;
   rli.on('line', function(line) {
-    assert.equal(line, '\t');
+    assert.strictEqual(line, '\t');
     assert.strictEqual(called, false);
     called = true;
   });
@@ -278,7 +278,7 @@ function isWarned(emitter) {
   });
   called = false;
   rli.on('line', function(line) {
-    assert.equal(line, 'foo');
+    assert.strictEqual(line, 'foo');
     assert.strictEqual(called, false);
     called = true;
   });
@@ -312,14 +312,14 @@ function isWarned(emitter) {
   callCount = 0;
   rli.on('line', function(line) {
     callCount++;
-    assert.equal(line, buf.toString('utf8'));
+    assert.strictEqual(line, buf.toString('utf8'));
   });
   [].forEach.call(buf, function(i) {
     fi.emit('data', Buffer.from([i]));
   });
-  assert.equal(callCount, 0);
+  assert.strictEqual(callCount, 0);
   fi.emit('data', '\n');
-  assert.equal(callCount, 1);
+  assert.strictEqual(callCount, 1);
   rli.close();
 
   // Regression test for repl freeze, #1968:
@@ -337,7 +337,7 @@ function isWarned(emitter) {
     fi.emit('data', 'fooX');
   } catch (e) { }
   fi.emit('data', 'bar');
-  assert.equal(keys.join(''), 'fooXbar');
+  assert.strictEqual(keys.join(''), 'fooXbar');
   rli.close();
 
   // calling readline without `new`
@@ -346,7 +346,7 @@ function isWarned(emitter) {
   called = false;
   rli.on('line', function(line) {
     called = true;
-    assert.equal(line, 'asdf');
+    assert.strictEqual(line, 'asdf');
   });
   fi.emit('data', 'asdf\n');
   assert.ok(called);
@@ -361,8 +361,8 @@ function isWarned(emitter) {
       rli.close();
     });
     let cursorPos = rli._getCursorPos();
-    assert.equal(cursorPos.rows, 0);
-    assert.equal(cursorPos.cols, expectedLines[0].length);
+    assert.strictEqual(cursorPos.rows, 0);
+    assert.strictEqual(cursorPos.cols, expectedLines[0].length);
     rli.close();
 
     // sending a multi-line question
@@ -373,8 +373,8 @@ function isWarned(emitter) {
       rli.close();
     });
     cursorPos = rli._getCursorPos();
-    assert.equal(cursorPos.rows, expectedLines.length - 1);
-    assert.equal(cursorPos.cols, expectedLines.slice(-1)[0].length);
+    assert.strictEqual(cursorPos.rows, expectedLines.length - 1);
+    assert.strictEqual(cursorPos.cols, expectedLines.slice(-1)[0].length);
     rli.close();
   }
 
@@ -384,17 +384,21 @@ function isWarned(emitter) {
   });
 
   // wide characters should be treated as two columns.
-  assert.equal(internalReadline.isFullWidthCodePoint('a'.charCodeAt(0)), false);
-  assert.equal(internalReadline.isFullWidthCodePoint('あ'.charCodeAt(0)), true);
-  assert.equal(internalReadline.isFullWidthCodePoint('谢'.charCodeAt(0)), true);
-  assert.equal(internalReadline.isFullWidthCodePoint('고'.charCodeAt(0)), true);
-  assert.equal(internalReadline.isFullWidthCodePoint(0x1f251), true);
-  assert.equal(internalReadline.getStringWidth('abcde'), 5);
-  assert.equal(internalReadline.getStringWidth('古池や'), 6);
-  assert.equal(internalReadline.getStringWidth('ノード.js'), 9);
-  assert.equal(internalReadline.getStringWidth('你好'), 4);
-  assert.equal(internalReadline.getStringWidth('안녕하세요'), 10);
-  assert.equal(internalReadline.getStringWidth('A\ud83c\ude00BC'), 5);
+  assert.strictEqual(internalReadline.isFullWidthCodePoint('a'.charCodeAt(0)),
+                     false);
+  assert.strictEqual(internalReadline.isFullWidthCodePoint('あ'.charCodeAt(0)),
+                     true);
+  assert.strictEqual(internalReadline.isFullWidthCodePoint('谢'.charCodeAt(0)),
+                     true);
+  assert.strictEqual(internalReadline.isFullWidthCodePoint('고'.charCodeAt(0)),
+                     true);
+  assert.strictEqual(internalReadline.isFullWidthCodePoint(0x1f251), true);
+  assert.strictEqual(internalReadline.getStringWidth('abcde'), 5);
+  assert.strictEqual(internalReadline.getStringWidth('古池や'), 6);
+  assert.strictEqual(internalReadline.getStringWidth('ノード.js'), 9);
+  assert.strictEqual(internalReadline.getStringWidth('你好'), 4);
+  assert.strictEqual(internalReadline.getStringWidth('안녕하세요'), 10);
+  assert.strictEqual(internalReadline.getStringWidth('A\ud83c\ude00BC'), 5);
 
   // check if vt control chars are stripped
   assert.strictEqual(
@@ -413,10 +417,13 @@ function isWarned(emitter) {
     internalReadline.stripVTControlCharacters('> '),
     '> '
   );
-  assert.equal(internalReadline.getStringWidth('\u001b[31m> \u001b[39m'), 2);
-  assert.equal(internalReadline.getStringWidth('\u001b[31m> \u001b[39m> '), 4);
-  assert.equal(internalReadline.getStringWidth('\u001b[31m\u001b[39m'), 0);
-  assert.equal(internalReadline.getStringWidth('> '), 2);
+  assert.strictEqual(internalReadline
+    .getStringWidth('\u001b[31m> \u001b[39m'), 2);
+  assert.strictEqual(internalReadline
+    .getStringWidth('\u001b[31m> \u001b[39m> '), 4);
+  assert.strictEqual(internalReadline
+    .getStringWidth('\u001b[31m\u001b[39m'), 0);
+  assert.strictEqual(internalReadline.getStringWidth('> '), 2);
 
   assert.deepStrictEqual(fi.listeners(terminal ? 'keypress' : 'data'), []);
 
@@ -427,8 +434,8 @@ function isWarned(emitter) {
       output: process.stdout
     });
     rl.close();
-    assert.equal(isWarned(process.stdin._events), false);
-    assert.equal(isWarned(process.stdout._events), false);
+    assert.strictEqual(isWarned(process.stdin._events), false);
+    assert.strictEqual(isWarned(process.stdout._events), false);
   }
 
   //can create a new readline Interface with a null output arugument
@@ -438,7 +445,7 @@ function isWarned(emitter) {
   called = false;
   rli.on('line', function(line) {
     called = true;
-    assert.equal(line, 'asdf');
+    assert.strictEqual(line, 'asdf');
   });
   fi.emit('data', 'asdf\n');
   assert.ok(called);
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-readline-set-raw-mode.js b/test/parallel/test-readline-set-raw-mode.js
index 78c42f5f5f..389f014bc3 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-readline-set-raw-mode.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-readline-set-raw-mode.js
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ let pauseCalled = false;
 
 stream.setRawMode = function(mode) {
   rawModeCalled = true;
-  assert.equal(mode, expectedRawMode);
+  assert.strictEqual(mode, expectedRawMode);
 };
 stream.resume = function() {
   resumeCalled = true;
@@ -66,4 +66,4 @@ assert(pauseCalled);
 
 assert.deepStrictEqual(stream.listeners('keypress'), []);
 // one data listener for the keypress events.
-assert.equal(stream.listeners('data').length, 1);
+assert.strictEqual(stream.listeners('data').length, 1);
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-readuint.js b/test/parallel/test-readuint.js
index 0d1f79b12e..d1507a81b5 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-readuint.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-readuint.js
@@ -20,13 +20,13 @@ function test8(clazz) {
   data[1] = 23;
   data[2] = 23;
   data[3] = 23;
-  assert.equal(23, data.readUInt8(0));
-  assert.equal(23, data.readUInt8(1));
-  assert.equal(23, data.readUInt8(2));
-  assert.equal(23, data.readUInt8(3));
+  assert.strictEqual(23, data.readUInt8(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(23, data.readUInt8(1));
+  assert.strictEqual(23, data.readUInt8(2));
+  assert.strictEqual(23, data.readUInt8(3));
 
   data[0] = 255; /* If it became a signed int, would be -1 */
-  assert.equal(255, data.readUInt8(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(255, data.readUInt8(0));
 }
 
 
@@ -45,17 +45,17 @@ function test16(clazz) {
   data[1] = 0x23;
   data[2] = 0x42;
   data[3] = 0x3f;
-  assert.equal(0x23, data.readUInt16BE(0));
-  assert.equal(0x2342, data.readUInt16BE(1));
-  assert.equal(0x423f, data.readUInt16BE(2));
-  assert.equal(0x2300, data.readUInt16LE(0));
-  assert.equal(0x4223, data.readUInt16LE(1));
-  assert.equal(0x3f42, data.readUInt16LE(2));
+  assert.strictEqual(0x23, data.readUInt16BE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(0x2342, data.readUInt16BE(1));
+  assert.strictEqual(0x423f, data.readUInt16BE(2));
+  assert.strictEqual(0x2300, data.readUInt16LE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(0x4223, data.readUInt16LE(1));
+  assert.strictEqual(0x3f42, data.readUInt16LE(2));
 
   data[0] = 0xfe;
   data[1] = 0xfe;
-  assert.equal(0xfefe, data.readUInt16BE(0));
-  assert.equal(0xfefe, data.readUInt16LE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(0xfefe, data.readUInt16BE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(0xfefe, data.readUInt16LE(0));
 }
 
 
@@ -75,12 +75,12 @@ function test32(clazz) {
   data[3] = 0x56;
   data[4] = 0x23;
   data[5] = 0xff;
-  assert.equal(0x32654256, data.readUInt32BE(0));
-  assert.equal(0x65425623, data.readUInt32BE(1));
-  assert.equal(0x425623ff, data.readUInt32BE(2));
-  assert.equal(0x56426532, data.readUInt32LE(0));
-  assert.equal(0x23564265, data.readUInt32LE(1));
-  assert.equal(0xff235642, data.readUInt32LE(2));
+  assert.strictEqual(0x32654256, data.readUInt32BE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(0x65425623, data.readUInt32BE(1));
+  assert.strictEqual(0x425623ff, data.readUInt32BE(2));
+  assert.strictEqual(0x56426532, data.readUInt32LE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(0x23564265, data.readUInt32LE(1));
+  assert.strictEqual(0xff235642, data.readUInt32LE(2));
 }
 
 
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-regress-GH-1899.js b/test/parallel/test-regress-GH-1899.js
index 838391acd2..a072bc551a 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-regress-GH-1899.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-regress-GH-1899.js
@@ -14,6 +14,6 @@ child.stdout.on('data', function(data) {
 });
 
 child.on('exit', function(code, signal) {
-  assert.equal(code, 0);
-  assert.equal(output, 'hello, world!\n');
+  assert.strictEqual(code, 0);
+  assert.strictEqual(output, 'hello, world!\n');
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-regress-GH-5051.js b/test/parallel/test-regress-GH-5051.js
index a86d0943d3..f2562bd7eb 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-regress-GH-5051.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-regress-GH-5051.js
@@ -13,8 +13,8 @@ agent.maxSockets = 0;
 // localAddress is used when naming requests / sockets
 // while using the Legacy API
 agent.addRequest(req, 'localhost', common.PORT, '127.0.0.1');
-assert.equal(Object.keys(agent.requests).length, 1);
-assert.equal(
+assert.strictEqual(Object.keys(agent.requests).length, 1);
+assert.strictEqual(
   Object.keys(agent.requests)[0],
   'localhost:' + common.PORT + ':127.0.0.1');
 
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ agent.addRequest(req, {
   localAddress: '127.0.0.1',
   path: '/foo'
 });
-assert.equal(Object.keys(agent.requests).length, 1);
-assert.equal(
+assert.strictEqual(Object.keys(agent.requests).length, 1);
+assert.strictEqual(
   Object.keys(agent.requests)[0],
   'localhost:' + common.PORT + ':127.0.0.1');
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-regress-GH-5727.js b/test/parallel/test-regress-GH-5727.js
index 3f52c55e7a..5fe9776d9b 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-regress-GH-5727.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-regress-GH-5727.js
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ net.Server().listen(common.PORT, function() {
   const address = this.address();
   const key = `${address.family.slice(-1)}:${address.address}:${common.PORT}`;
 
-  assert.equal(this._connectionKey, key);
+  assert.strictEqual(this._connectionKey, key);
   this.close();
 });
 
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-repl-.save.load.js b/test/parallel/test-repl-.save.load.js
index 00d5f6791d..449dd28e90 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-repl-.save.load.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-repl-.save.load.js
@@ -27,7 +27,8 @@ putIn.run(testFile);
 putIn.run(['.save ' + saveFileName]);
 
 // the file should have what I wrote
-assert.equal(fs.readFileSync(saveFileName, 'utf8'), testFile.join('\n') + '\n');
+assert.strictEqual(fs.readFileSync(saveFileName, 'utf8'), testFile.join('\n') +
+                   '\n');
 
 {
   // save .editor mode code
@@ -74,7 +75,7 @@ let loadFile = join(common.tmpDir, 'file.does.not.exist');
 // should not break
 putIn.write = function(data) {
   // make sure I get a failed to load message and not some crazy error
-  assert.equal(data, 'Failed to load:' + loadFile + '\n');
+  assert.strictEqual(data, 'Failed to load:' + loadFile + '\n');
   // eat me to avoid work
   putIn.write = function() {};
 };
@@ -83,7 +84,8 @@ putIn.run(['.load ' + loadFile]);
 // throw error on loading directory
 loadFile = common.tmpDir;
 putIn.write = function(data) {
-  assert.equal(data, 'Failed to load:' + loadFile + ' is not a valid file\n');
+  assert.strictEqual(data, 'Failed to load:' + loadFile +
+                     ' is not a valid file\n');
   putIn.write = function() {};
 };
 putIn.run(['.load ' + loadFile]);
@@ -98,7 +100,7 @@ const invalidFileName = join(common.tmpDir, '\0\0\0\0\0');
 // should not break
 putIn.write = function(data) {
   // make sure I get a failed to save message and not some other error
-  assert.equal(data, 'Failed to save:' + invalidFileName + '\n');
+  assert.strictEqual(data, 'Failed to save:' + invalidFileName + '\n');
   // reset to no-op
   putIn.write = function() {};
 };
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-repl-autolibs.js b/test/parallel/test-repl-autolibs.js
index e0554831cd..ce108ba2aa 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-repl-autolibs.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-repl-autolibs.js
@@ -19,9 +19,10 @@ function test1() {
     if (data.length) {
 
       // inspect output matches repl output
-      assert.equal(data, util.inspect(require('fs'), null, 2, false) + '\n');
+      assert.strictEqual(data, util.inspect(require('fs'), null, 2, false) +
+                         '\n');
       // globally added lib matches required lib
-      assert.equal(global.fs, require('fs'));
+      assert.strictEqual(global.fs, require('fs'));
       test2();
     }
   };
@@ -36,9 +37,9 @@ function test2() {
     gotWrite = true;
     if (data.length) {
       // repl response error message
-      assert.equal(data, '{}\n');
+      assert.strictEqual(data, '{}\n');
       // original value wasn't overwritten
-      assert.equal(val, global.url);
+      assert.strictEqual(val, global.url);
     }
   };
   const val = {};
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-repl-end-emits-exit.js b/test/parallel/test-repl-end-emits-exit.js
index 661f9f0ad0..c62a51c962 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-repl-end-emits-exit.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-repl-end-emits-exit.js
@@ -45,8 +45,8 @@ function testRegularMode() {
 }
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(terminalExit, 1);
-  assert.equal(regularExit, 1);
+  assert.strictEqual(terminalExit, 1);
+  assert.strictEqual(regularExit, 1);
 });
 
 
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-repl-envvars.js b/test/parallel/test-repl-envvars.js
index e8c369b244..bd4e1fc9af 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-repl-envvars.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-repl-envvars.js
@@ -50,10 +50,10 @@ function run(test) {
     // The REPL registers 'module' and 'require' globals
     common.allowGlobals(repl.context.module, repl.context.require);
 
-    assert.equal(expected.terminal, repl.terminal,
-                 'Expected ' + inspect(expected) + ' with ' + inspect(env));
-    assert.equal(expected.useColors, repl.useColors,
-                 'Expected ' + inspect(expected) + ' with ' + inspect(env));
+    assert.strictEqual(expected.terminal, repl.terminal, 'Expected ' +
+                       inspect(expected) + ' with ' + inspect(env));
+    assert.strictEqual(expected.useColors, repl.useColors, 'Expected ' +
+                       inspect(expected) + ' with ' + inspect(env));
     repl.close();
   });
 }
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-repl-options.js b/test/parallel/test-repl-options.js
index 79994c66d1..03db110aca 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-repl-options.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-repl-options.js
@@ -15,24 +15,24 @@ const r1 = repl.start({
   terminal: true
 });
 
-assert.equal(r1.input, stream);
-assert.equal(r1.output, stream);
-assert.equal(r1.input, r1.inputStream);
-assert.equal(r1.output, r1.outputStream);
-assert.equal(r1.terminal, true);
-assert.equal(r1.useColors, r1.terminal);
-assert.equal(r1.useGlobal, false);
-assert.equal(r1.ignoreUndefined, false);
-assert.equal(r1.replMode, repl.REPL_MODE_SLOPPY);
-assert.equal(r1.historySize, 30);
+assert.strictEqual(r1.input, stream);
+assert.strictEqual(r1.output, stream);
+assert.strictEqual(r1.input, r1.inputStream);
+assert.strictEqual(r1.output, r1.outputStream);
+assert.strictEqual(r1.terminal, true);
+assert.strictEqual(r1.useColors, r1.terminal);
+assert.strictEqual(r1.useGlobal, false);
+assert.strictEqual(r1.ignoreUndefined, false);
+assert.strictEqual(r1.replMode, repl.REPL_MODE_SLOPPY);
+assert.strictEqual(r1.historySize, 30);
 
 // test r1 for backwards compact
-assert.equal(r1.rli.input, stream);
-assert.equal(r1.rli.output, stream);
-assert.equal(r1.rli.input, r1.inputStream);
-assert.equal(r1.rli.output, r1.outputStream);
-assert.equal(r1.rli.terminal, true);
-assert.equal(r1.useColors, r1.rli.terminal);
+assert.strictEqual(r1.rli.input, stream);
+assert.strictEqual(r1.rli.output, stream);
+assert.strictEqual(r1.rli.input, r1.inputStream);
+assert.strictEqual(r1.rli.output, r1.outputStream);
+assert.strictEqual(r1.rli.terminal, true);
+assert.strictEqual(r1.useColors, r1.rli.terminal);
 
 // 2
 function writer() {}
@@ -48,23 +48,23 @@ const r2 = repl.start({
   writer: writer,
   replMode: repl.REPL_MODE_STRICT
 });
-assert.equal(r2.input, stream);
-assert.equal(r2.output, stream);
-assert.equal(r2.input, r2.inputStream);
-assert.equal(r2.output, r2.outputStream);
-assert.equal(r2.terminal, false);
-assert.equal(r2.useColors, true);
-assert.equal(r2.useGlobal, true);
-assert.equal(r2.ignoreUndefined, true);
-assert.equal(r2.writer, writer);
-assert.equal(r2.replMode, repl.REPL_MODE_STRICT);
+assert.strictEqual(r2.input, stream);
+assert.strictEqual(r2.output, stream);
+assert.strictEqual(r2.input, r2.inputStream);
+assert.strictEqual(r2.output, r2.outputStream);
+assert.strictEqual(r2.terminal, false);
+assert.strictEqual(r2.useColors, true);
+assert.strictEqual(r2.useGlobal, true);
+assert.strictEqual(r2.ignoreUndefined, true);
+assert.strictEqual(r2.writer, writer);
+assert.strictEqual(r2.replMode, repl.REPL_MODE_STRICT);
 
 // test r2 for backwards compact
-assert.equal(r2.rli.input, stream);
-assert.equal(r2.rli.output, stream);
-assert.equal(r2.rli.input, r2.inputStream);
-assert.equal(r2.rli.output, r2.outputStream);
-assert.equal(r2.rli.terminal, false);
+assert.strictEqual(r2.rli.input, stream);
+assert.strictEqual(r2.rli.output, stream);
+assert.strictEqual(r2.rli.input, r2.inputStream);
+assert.strictEqual(r2.rli.output, r2.outputStream);
+assert.strictEqual(r2.rli.terminal, false);
 
 // testing out "magic" replMode
 const r3 = repl.start({
@@ -75,8 +75,8 @@ const r3 = repl.start({
   historySize: 50
 });
 
-assert.equal(r3.replMode, repl.REPL_MODE_MAGIC);
-assert.equal(r3.historySize, 50);
+assert.strictEqual(r3.replMode, repl.REPL_MODE_MAGIC);
+assert.strictEqual(r3.historySize, 50);
 
 // Verify that defaults are used when no arguments are provided
 const r4 = repl.start();
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-repl-require-cache.js b/test/parallel/test-repl-require-cache.js
index 8a5d384935..4ccabe473c 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-repl-require-cache.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-repl-require-cache.js
@@ -6,8 +6,8 @@ const repl = require('repl');
 // https://github.com/joyent/node/issues/3226
 
 require.cache.something = 1;
-assert.equal(require.cache.something, 1);
+assert.strictEqual(require.cache.something, 1);
 
 repl.start({ useGlobal: false }).close();
 
-assert.equal(require.cache.something, 1);
+assert.strictEqual(require.cache.something, 1);
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-repl-syntax-error-handling.js b/test/parallel/test-repl-syntax-error-handling.js
index 6a65d53a02..9014f9a02f 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-repl-syntax-error-handling.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-repl-syntax-error-handling.js
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ function parent() {
     out += c;
   });
   child.stdout.on('end', function() {
-    assert.equal(out, '10\n');
+    assert.strictEqual(out, '10\n');
     console.log('ok - got expected output');
   });
 
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-repl-tab.js b/test/parallel/test-repl-tab.js
index 7baa7d0aac..92168b2e1d 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-repl-tab.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-repl-tab.js
@@ -14,5 +14,5 @@ const testMe = repl.start('', putIn, function(cmd, context, filename,
 testMe._domain.on('error', common.fail);
 
 testMe.complete('', function(err, results) {
-  assert.equal(err, null);
+  assert.strictEqual(err, null);
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-require-extensions-same-filename-as-dir-trailing-slash.js b/test/parallel/test-require-extensions-same-filename-as-dir-trailing-slash.js
index aa749591eb..85fc7ec913 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-require-extensions-same-filename-as-dir-trailing-slash.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-require-extensions-same-filename-as-dir-trailing-slash.js
@@ -7,4 +7,4 @@ const content = require(common.fixturesDir +
   '/json-with-directory-name-module/module-stub/one-trailing-slash/two/three.js');
 
 assert.notStrictEqual(content.rocko, 'artischocko');
-assert.equal(content, 'hello from module-stub!');
+assert.strictEqual(content, 'hello from module-stub!');
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-require-unicode.js b/test/parallel/test-require-unicode.js
index 0bccf06916..93a8787cdf 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-require-unicode.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-require-unicode.js
@@ -12,5 +12,5 @@ fs.mkdirSync(dirname);
 fs.writeFileSync(path.join(dirname, 'file.js'), 'module.exports = 42;');
 fs.writeFileSync(path.join(dirname, 'package.json'),
                  JSON.stringify({ name: 'test', main: 'file.js' }));
-assert.equal(require(dirname), 42);
-assert.equal(require(path.join(dirname, 'file.js')), 42);
+assert.strictEqual(require(dirname), 42);
+assert.strictEqual(require(path.join(dirname, 'file.js')), 42);
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-socket-write-after-fin-error.js b/test/parallel/test-socket-write-after-fin-error.js
index f21b52d519..37d042b4c6 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-socket-write-after-fin-error.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-socket-write-after-fin-error.js
@@ -43,12 +43,12 @@ server.listen(0, function() {
   });
 
   process.on('exit', function() {
-    assert.equal(clientData, '');
-    assert.equal(serverData, 'hello1hello2hello3\nTHUNDERMUSCLE!');
+    assert.strictEqual(clientData, '');
+    assert.strictEqual(serverData, 'hello1hello2hello3\nTHUNDERMUSCLE!');
     assert(gotClientEnd);
     assert(gotServerEnd);
     assert(gotServerError);
-    assert.equal(gotServerError.code, 'EPIPE');
+    assert.strictEqual(gotServerError.code, 'EPIPE');
     assert.notStrictEqual(gotServerError.message, 'write after end');
     console.log('ok');
   });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-stdin-child-proc.js b/test/parallel/test-stdin-child-proc.js
index 35ae0c99d3..5359edc53a 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-stdin-child-proc.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-stdin-child-proc.js
@@ -9,5 +9,5 @@ const cp = child_process.spawn(process.execPath,
                     [path.resolve(__dirname, 'test-stdin-pause-resume.js')]);
 
 cp.on('exit', common.mustCall((code) => {
-  assert.equal(code, 0);
+  assert.strictEqual(code, 0);
 }));
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-stdin-pipe-resume.js b/test/parallel/test-stdin-pipe-resume.js
index 06cce3edfe..e9000933a3 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-stdin-pipe-resume.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-stdin-pipe-resume.js
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ if (process.argv[2] === 'child') {
   });
   child.stdout.on('close', function() {
     const b = Buffer.concat(buffers).toString();
-    assert.equal(b, 'Hello, world\n');
+    assert.strictEqual(b, 'Hello, world\n');
     console.log('ok');
   });
   child.stdin.write('Hel');
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-stdout-cannot-be-closed-child-process-pipe.js b/test/parallel/test-stdout-cannot-be-closed-child-process-pipe.js
index aa1939ebe2..d19b522e29 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-stdout-cannot-be-closed-child-process-pipe.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-stdout-cannot-be-closed-child-process-pipe.js
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ function parent() {
 
   child.on('close', function(code, signal) {
     assert(code);
-    assert.equal(out, 'foo');
+    assert.strictEqual(out, 'foo');
     assert(/process\.stdout cannot be closed/.test(err));
     console.log('ok');
   });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-stdout-stderr-reading.js b/test/parallel/test-stdout-stderr-reading.js
index 6aa9613013..11cdcc3907 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-stdout-stderr-reading.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-stdout-stderr-reading.js
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ function parent() {
   c1.on('close', common.mustCall(function(code, signal) {
     assert(!code);
     assert(!signal);
-    assert.equal(c1out, 'ok\n');
+    assert.strictEqual(c1out, 'ok\n');
     console.log('ok');
   }));
 
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ function parent() {
   c2.on('close', common.mustCall(function(code, signal) {
     assert(!code);
     assert(!signal);
-    assert.equal(c2out, 'ok\n');
+    assert.strictEqual(c2out, 'ok\n');
     console.log('ok');
   }));
 }
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-stream-base-no-abort.js b/test/parallel/test-stream-base-no-abort.js
index 6b1cc67ee7..8b85acea2f 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-stream-base-no-abort.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-stream-base-no-abort.js
@@ -17,21 +17,21 @@ const providers = Object.keys(async_wrap.Providers);
 let flags = 0;
 
 // Make sure all asserts have run at least once.
-process.on('exit', () => assert.equal(flags, 0b111));
+process.on('exit', () => assert.strictEqual(flags, 0b111));
 
 function init(id, provider) {
   this._external;  // Test will abort if nullptr isn't properly checked.
   switch (providers[provider]) {
     case 'TCPWRAP':
-      assert.equal(this.fd, uv.UV_EINVAL);
+      assert.strictEqual(this.fd, uv.UV_EINVAL);
       flags |= 0b1;
       break;
     case 'TLSWRAP':
-      assert.equal(this.fd, uv.UV_EINVAL);
+      assert.strictEqual(this.fd, uv.UV_EINVAL);
       flags |= 0b10;
       break;
     case 'UDPWRAP':
-      assert.equal(this.fd, uv.UV_EBADF);
+      assert.strictEqual(this.fd, uv.UV_EBADF);
       flags |= 0b100;
       break;
   }
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-stream-push-strings.js b/test/parallel/test-stream-push-strings.js
index 7bce493bbd..e77d8a48c6 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-stream-push-strings.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-stream-push-strings.js
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ ms.on('readable', function() {
 
 const expect = [ 'first chunksecond to last chunk', 'last chunk' ];
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(ms._chunks, -1);
+  assert.strictEqual(ms._chunks, -1);
   assert.deepStrictEqual(results, expect);
   console.log('ok');
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-stream-readable-constructor-set-methods.js b/test/parallel/test-stream-readable-constructor-set-methods.js
index a5d7e48bfb..e5e3114de4 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-stream-readable-constructor-set-methods.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-stream-readable-constructor-set-methods.js
@@ -14,6 +14,6 @@ const r = new Readable({ read: _read });
 r.resume();
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(r._read, _read);
+  assert.strictEqual(r._read, _read);
   assert(_readCalled);
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-stream-readable-flow-recursion.js b/test/parallel/test-stream-readable-flow-recursion.js
index b1e421a71f..e295539005 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-stream-readable-flow-recursion.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-stream-readable-flow-recursion.js
@@ -45,12 +45,12 @@ flow(stream, 5000, function() {
 });
 
 process.on('exit', function(code) {
-  assert.equal(reads, 2);
+  assert.strictEqual(reads, 2);
   // we pushed up the high water mark
-  assert.equal(stream._readableState.highWaterMark, 8192);
+  assert.strictEqual(stream._readableState.highWaterMark, 8192);
   // length is 0 right now, because we pulled it all out.
-  assert.equal(stream._readableState.length, 0);
+  assert.strictEqual(stream._readableState.length, 0);
   assert(!code);
-  assert.equal(depth, 0);
+  assert.strictEqual(depth, 0);
   console.log('ok');
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-stream-transform-constructor-set-methods.js b/test/parallel/test-stream-transform-constructor-set-methods.js
index 7be673c517..02ef9f55cb 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-stream-transform-constructor-set-methods.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-stream-transform-constructor-set-methods.js
@@ -25,8 +25,8 @@ t.end(Buffer.from('blerg'));
 t.resume();
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(t._transform, _transform);
-  assert.equal(t._flush, _flush);
+  assert.strictEqual(t._transform, _transform);
+  assert.strictEqual(t._flush, _flush);
   assert(_transformCalled);
   assert(_flushCalled);
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-stream-writable-change-default-encoding.js b/test/parallel/test-stream-writable-change-default-encoding.js
index 9eac52bc1a..c3af66ce83 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-stream-writable-change-default-encoding.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-stream-writable-change-default-encoding.js
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ MyWritable.prototype._write = function(chunk, encoding, callback) {
 
 (function defaultCondingIsUtf8() {
   const m = new MyWritable(function(isBuffer, type, enc) {
-    assert.equal(enc, 'utf8');
+    assert.strictEqual(enc, 'utf8');
   }, { decodeStrings: false });
   m.write('foo');
   m.end();
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ MyWritable.prototype._write = function(chunk, encoding, callback) {
 
 (function changeDefaultEncodingToAscii() {
   const m = new MyWritable(function(isBuffer, type, enc) {
-    assert.equal(enc, 'ascii');
+    assert.strictEqual(enc, 'ascii');
   }, { decodeStrings: false });
   m.setDefaultEncoding('ascii');
   m.write('bar');
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ assert.throws(function changeDefaultEncodingToInvalidValue() {
 
 (function checkVairableCaseEncoding() {
   const m = new MyWritable(function(isBuffer, type, enc) {
-    assert.equal(enc, 'ascii');
+    assert.strictEqual(enc, 'ascii');
   }, { decodeStrings: false });
   m.setDefaultEncoding('AsCii');
   m.write('bar');
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-stream-writable-constructor-set-methods.js b/test/parallel/test-stream-writable-constructor-set-methods.js
index 9b344487f6..a12112d1ec 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-stream-writable-constructor-set-methods.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-stream-writable-constructor-set-methods.js
@@ -27,9 +27,9 @@ w2.write(Buffer.from('blerg'));
 w2.end();
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(w._write, _write);
+  assert.strictEqual(w._write, _write);
   assert(_writeCalled);
-  assert.equal(w2._writev, _writev);
-  assert.equal(dLength, 2);
+  assert.strictEqual(w2._writev, _writev);
+  assert.strictEqual(dLength, 2);
   assert(_writevCalled);
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-stream-writableState-uncorked-bufferedRequestCount.js b/test/parallel/test-stream-writableState-uncorked-bufferedRequestCount.js
index 3751cd9de6..dbd306c53f 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-stream-writableState-uncorked-bufferedRequestCount.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-stream-writableState-uncorked-bufferedRequestCount.js
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ const stream = require('stream');
 const writable = new stream.Writable();
 
 writable._writev = common.mustCall((chunks, cb) => {
-  assert.equal(chunks.length, 2, 'two chunks to write');
+  assert.strictEqual(chunks.length, 2, 'two chunks to write');
   cb();
 }, 1);
 
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-stream-writev.js b/test/parallel/test-stream-writev.js
index 4e05d2ba8e..2caaf0a7d2 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-stream-writev.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-stream-writev.js
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ function test(decode, uncork, multi, next) {
     return function(er) {
       assert.ifError(er);
       counter++;
-      assert.equal(counter, expect);
+      assert.strictEqual(counter, expect);
     };
   }
 
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-stream2-base64-single-char-read-end.js b/test/parallel/test-stream2-base64-single-char-read-end.js
index da63644de0..6a9edbd4ea 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-stream2-base64-single-char-read-end.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-stream2-base64-single-char-read-end.js
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ dst._write = function(chunk, enc, cb) {
 };
 
 src.on('end', function() {
-  assert.equal(Buffer.concat(accum) + '', 'MQ==');
+  assert.strictEqual(Buffer.concat(accum) + '', 'MQ==');
   clearTimeout(timeout);
 });
 
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-stream2-compatibility.js b/test/parallel/test-stream2-compatibility.js
index f7c9807913..a353da8ded 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-stream2-compatibility.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-stream2-compatibility.js
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ TestReader.prototype._read = function(n) {
 
 const reader = new TestReader();
 setImmediate(function() {
-  assert.equal(ondataCalled, 1);
+  assert.strictEqual(ondataCalled, 1);
   console.log('ok');
   reader.push(null);
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-stream2-large-read-stall.js b/test/parallel/test-stream2-large-read-stall.js
index 88fef4f24b..36d4e0c6c9 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-stream2-large-read-stall.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-stream2-large-read-stall.js
@@ -51,5 +51,5 @@ function push() {
 }
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(pushes, PUSHCOUNT + 1);
+  assert.strictEqual(pushes, PUSHCOUNT + 1);
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-stream2-objects.js b/test/parallel/test-stream2-objects.js
index 6c00f1b869..cab838fbfc 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-stream2-objects.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-stream2-objects.js
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ function run() {
   console.log('# %s', name);
   fn({
     same: assert.deepStrictEqual,
-    equal: assert.equal,
+    equal: assert.strictEqual,
     end: function() {
       count--;
       run();
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-stream2-readable-from-list.js b/test/parallel/test-stream2-readable-from-list.js
index f3f39507e8..54db1d1c18 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-stream2-readable-from-list.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-stream2-readable-from-list.js
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ function run() {
   console.log('# %s', name);
   fn({
     same: assert.deepStrictEqual,
-    equal: assert.equal,
+    equal: assert.strictEqual,
     end: function() {
       count--;
       run();
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ function bufferListFromArray(arr) {
 
 // ensure all tests have run
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(count, 0);
+  assert.strictEqual(count, 0);
 });
 
 process.nextTick(run);
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-stream2-readable-non-empty-end.js b/test/parallel/test-stream2-readable-non-empty-end.js
index 66fae8274e..46481fe1dc 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-stream2-readable-non-empty-end.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-stream2-readable-non-empty-end.js
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ function next() {
   // one to get the last byte
   let r = test.read();
   assert(r);
-  assert.equal(r.length, 1);
+  assert.strictEqual(r.length, 1);
   r = test.read();
-  assert.equal(r, null);
+  assert.strictEqual(r, null);
 }
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-stream2-set-encoding.js b/test/parallel/test-stream2-set-encoding.js
index fdbd81e613..a207168f39 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-stream2-set-encoding.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-stream2-set-encoding.js
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ function run() {
   console.log('# %s', name);
   fn({
     same: assert.deepStrictEqual,
-    equal: assert.equal,
+    equal: assert.strictEqual,
     end: function() {
       count--;
       run();
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ function run() {
 
 // ensure all tests have run
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(count, 0);
+  assert.strictEqual(count, 0);
 });
 
 process.nextTick(run);
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-stream2-transform.js b/test/parallel/test-stream2-transform.js
index d66f1f0643..2695ac21b7 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-stream2-transform.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-stream2-transform.js
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ function run() {
   console.log('# %s', name);
   fn({
     same: assert.deepStrictEqual,
-    equal: assert.equal,
+    equal: assert.strictEqual,
     ok: assert,
     end: function() {
       count--;
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ function run() {
 
 // ensure all tests have run
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(count, 0);
+  assert.strictEqual(count, 0);
 });
 
 process.nextTick(run);
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-stream2-unpipe-leak.js b/test/parallel/test-stream2-unpipe-leak.js
index 1a1599ca32..8800a2bbc6 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-stream2-unpipe-leak.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-stream2-unpipe-leak.js
@@ -36,14 +36,14 @@ for (let i = 0; i < 10; i++) {
   src.unpipe(dest);
 }
 
-assert.equal(src.listeners('end').length, 0);
-assert.equal(src.listeners('readable').length, 0);
-
-assert.equal(dest.listeners('unpipe').length, 0);
-assert.equal(dest.listeners('drain').length, 0);
-assert.equal(dest.listeners('error').length, 0);
-assert.equal(dest.listeners('close').length, 0);
-assert.equal(dest.listeners('finish').length, 0);
+assert.strictEqual(src.listeners('end').length, 0);
+assert.strictEqual(src.listeners('readable').length, 0);
+
+assert.strictEqual(dest.listeners('unpipe').length, 0);
+assert.strictEqual(dest.listeners('drain').length, 0);
+assert.strictEqual(dest.listeners('error').length, 0);
+assert.strictEqual(dest.listeners('close').length, 0);
+assert.strictEqual(dest.listeners('finish').length, 0);
 
 console.error(src._readableState);
 process.on('exit', function() {
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-stream3-cork-end.js b/test/parallel/test-stream3-cork-end.js
index 230227e0b1..7227f87ada 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-stream3-cork-end.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-stream3-cork-end.js
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ w._write = function(chunk, encoding, cb) {
   // stream end event is not seen before the last write
   assert.ok(!seenEnd);
   // default encoding given none was specified
-  assert.equal(encoding, 'buffer');
+  assert.strictEqual(encoding, 'buffer');
 
   seenChunks.push(chunk);
   cb();
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ function writeChunks(remainingChunks, callback) {
 // do an initial write
 w.write('stuff');
 // the write was immediate
-assert.equal(seenChunks.length, 1);
+assert.strictEqual(seenChunks.length, 1);
 // reset the seen chunks
 seenChunks = [];
 
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ w.cork();
 // write the bufferedChunks
 writeChunks(inputChunks, () => {
   // should not have seen anything yet
-  assert.equal(seenChunks.length, 0);
+  assert.strictEqual(seenChunks.length, 0);
 
   // trigger flush and ending the stream
   w.end();
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ writeChunks(inputChunks, () => {
   assert.ok(!seenEnd);
 
   // buffered bytes should be seen in current tick
-  assert.equal(seenChunks.length, 4);
+  assert.strictEqual(seenChunks.length, 4);
 
   // did the chunks match
   for (let i = 0, l = expectedChunks.length; i < l; i++) {
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-stream3-cork-uncork.js b/test/parallel/test-stream3-cork-uncork.js
index 821fd22bf8..98f74a45c6 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-stream3-cork-uncork.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-stream3-cork-uncork.js
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ const w = new Writable();
 // lets arrange to store the chunks
 w._write = function(chunk, encoding, cb) {
   // default encoding given none was specified
-  assert.equal(encoding, 'buffer');
+  assert.strictEqual(encoding, 'buffer');
 
   seenChunks.push(chunk);
   cb();
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ function writeChunks(remainingChunks, callback) {
 // do an initial write
 w.write('stuff');
 // the write was immediate
-assert.equal(seenChunks.length, 1);
+assert.strictEqual(seenChunks.length, 1);
 // reset the chunks seen so far
 seenChunks = [];
 
@@ -60,13 +60,13 @@ w.cork();
 // write the bufferedChunks
 writeChunks(inputChunks, () => {
   // should not have seen anything yet
-  assert.equal(seenChunks.length, 0);
+  assert.strictEqual(seenChunks.length, 0);
 
   // trigger writing out the buffer
   w.uncork();
 
   // buffered bytes shoud be seen in current tick
-  assert.equal(seenChunks.length, 4);
+  assert.strictEqual(seenChunks.length, 4);
 
   // did the chunks match
   for (let i = 0, l = expectedChunks.length; i < l; i++) {
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-stream3-pause-then-read.js b/test/parallel/test-stream3-pause-then-read.js
index 5a9550bcd4..a1be563683 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-stream3-pause-then-read.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-stream3-pause-then-read.js
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ function readn(n, then) {
     if (!c)
       r.once('readable', read);
     else {
-      assert.equal(c.length, n);
+      assert.strictEqual(c.length, n);
       assert(!r._readableState.flowing);
       then();
     }
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ function pipeLittle() {
   const w = new Writable();
   let written = 0;
   w.on('finish', function() {
-    assert.equal(written, 200);
+    assert.strictEqual(written, 200);
     setImmediate(read1234);
   });
   w._write = function(chunk, encoding, cb) {
@@ -138,8 +138,8 @@ function pipe() {
   };
   w.on('finish', function() {
     console.error('written', written, totalPushed);
-    assert.equal(written, expectEndingData);
-    assert.equal(totalPushed, expectTotalData);
+    assert.strictEqual(written, expectEndingData);
+    assert.strictEqual(totalPushed, expectTotalData);
     console.log('ok');
   });
   r.pipe(w);
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-string-decoder-end.js b/test/parallel/test-string-decoder-end.js
index 2c187d6014..a04972e545 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-string-decoder-end.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-string-decoder-end.js
@@ -53,6 +53,6 @@ function testBuf(encoding, buf) {
   console.log('expect=%j', res3);
   console.log('res1=%j', res1);
   console.log('res2=%j', res2);
-  assert.equal(res1, res3, 'one byte at a time should match toString');
-  assert.equal(res2, res3, 'all bytes at once should match toString');
+  assert.strictEqual(res1, res3, 'one byte at a time should match toString');
+  assert.strictEqual(res2, res3, 'all bytes at once should match toString');
 }
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-stringbytes-external.js b/test/parallel/test-stringbytes-external.js
index a242b943c9..94b58d9c6e 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-stringbytes-external.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-stringbytes-external.js
@@ -13,14 +13,14 @@ let write_str = 'a';
 let b = Buffer.from(write_str, 'ucs2');
 // first check latin1
 let c = b.toString('latin1');
-assert.equal(b[0], 0x61);
-assert.equal(b[1], 0);
-assert.equal(ucs2_control, c);
+assert.strictEqual(b[0], 0x61);
+assert.strictEqual(b[1], 0);
+assert.strictEqual(ucs2_control, c);
 // now check binary
 c = b.toString('binary');
-assert.equal(b[0], 0x61);
-assert.equal(b[1], 0);
-assert.equal(ucs2_control, c);
+assert.strictEqual(b[0], 0x61);
+assert.strictEqual(b[1], 0);
+assert.strictEqual(ucs2_control, c);
 
 // now create big strings
 const size = 1 + (1 << 20);
@@ -31,8 +31,8 @@ ucs2_control = Array(size).join(ucs2_control);
 b = Buffer.from(write_str, 'ucs2');
 // check fist Buffer created from write string
 for (let i = 0; i < b.length; i += 2) {
-  assert.equal(b[i], 0x61);
-  assert.equal(b[i + 1], 0);
+  assert.strictEqual(b[i], 0x61);
+  assert.strictEqual(b[i + 1], 0);
 }
 
 // create another string to create an external string
@@ -40,25 +40,25 @@ const b_ucs = b.toString('ucs2');
 
 // check control against external binary string
 const l_bin = b.toString('latin1');
-assert.equal(ucs2_control, l_bin);
+assert.strictEqual(ucs2_control, l_bin);
 
 // check control against external binary string
 const b_bin = b.toString('binary');
-assert.equal(ucs2_control, b_bin);
+assert.strictEqual(ucs2_control, b_bin);
 
 // create buffer copy from external
 const c_bin = Buffer.from(l_bin, 'latin1');
 const c_ucs = Buffer.from(b_ucs, 'ucs2');
 // make sure they're the same length
-assert.equal(c_bin.length, c_ucs.length);
+assert.strictEqual(c_bin.length, c_ucs.length);
 // make sure Buffers from externals are the same
 for (let i = 0; i < c_bin.length; i++) {
-  assert.equal(c_bin[i], c_ucs[i]);
+  assert.strictEqual(c_bin[i], c_ucs[i]);
 }
 // check resultant strings
-assert.equal(c_bin.toString('ucs2'), c_ucs.toString('ucs2'));
-assert.equal(c_bin.toString('latin1'), ucs2_control);
-assert.equal(c_ucs.toString('latin1'), ucs2_control);
+assert.strictEqual(c_bin.toString('ucs2'), c_ucs.toString('ucs2'));
+assert.strictEqual(c_bin.toString('latin1'), ucs2_control);
+assert.strictEqual(c_ucs.toString('latin1'), ucs2_control);
 
 
 // now let's test BASE64 and HEX ecoding/decoding
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-sync-io-option.js b/test/parallel/test-sync-io-option.js
index 6166bffc0b..fb0b2333e8 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-sync-io-option.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-sync-io-option.js
@@ -18,14 +18,14 @@ if (process.argv[2] === 'child') {
     args = execArgv.concat(args);
     if (!args[0]) args.shift();
     execFile(process.execPath, args, function(err, stdout, stderr) {
-      assert.equal(err, null);
-      assert.equal(stdout, '');
+      assert.strictEqual(err, null);
+      assert.strictEqual(stdout, '');
       if (/WARNING[\s\S]*fs\.readFileSync/.test(stderr))
         cntr++;
       if (args[0] === '--trace-sync-io') {
-        assert.equal(cntr, 1);
+        assert.strictEqual(cntr, 1);
       } else if (args[0] === __filename) {
-        assert.equal(cntr, 0);
+        assert.strictEqual(cntr, 0);
       } else {
         throw new Error('UNREACHABLE');
       }
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-tcp-wrap.js b/test/parallel/test-tcp-wrap.js
index 6b9dbd90a4..aee0bcc850 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-tcp-wrap.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-tcp-wrap.js
@@ -9,12 +9,12 @@ const handle = new TCP();
 
 // Should be able to bind to the port
 let err = handle.bind('0.0.0.0', 0);
-assert.equal(err, 0);
+assert.strictEqual(err, 0);
 
 // Should not be able to bind to the same port again
 const out = {};
 handle.getsockname(out);
 err = handle.bind('0.0.0.0', out.port);
-assert.equal(err, uv.UV_EINVAL);
+assert.strictEqual(err, uv.UV_EINVAL);
 
 handle.close();
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-timers-reset-process-domain-on-throw.js b/test/parallel/test-timers-reset-process-domain-on-throw.js
index 55e7ef57dc..946ae715b0 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-timers-reset-process-domain-on-throw.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-timers-reset-process-domain-on-throw.js
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ function err() {
   function handleDomainError(e) {
     // In the domain's error handler, the current active domain should be the
     // domain within which the error was thrown.
-    assert.equal(process.domain, d);
+    assert.strictEqual(process.domain, d);
   }
 }
 
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-timers-unref-active.js b/test/parallel/test-timers-unref-active.js
index 8b1c89673b..69f6d4e9f1 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-timers-unref-active.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-timers-unref-active.js
@@ -47,5 +47,5 @@ someObject._onTimeout = function _onTimeout() {
 timers._unrefActive(someObject);
 
 setTimeout(function() {
-  assert.equal(nbTimeouts, N);
+  assert.strictEqual(nbTimeouts, N);
 }, TEST_DURATION);
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-timers-unref-leak.js b/test/parallel/test-timers-unref-leak.js
index d970910b24..8eef00dd4f 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-timers-unref-leak.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-timers-unref-leak.js
@@ -22,6 +22,6 @@ setTimeout(function() {
 }, 50);
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(called, 1);
-  assert.equal(closed, 1);
+  assert.strictEqual(called, 1);
+  assert.strictEqual(closed, 1);
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-timers.js b/test/parallel/test-timers.js
index 33f1706e3d..64a33515b1 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-timers.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-timers.js
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ inputs.forEach(function(value, index) {
 process.on('exit', function() {
   // assert that all timers have run
   inputs.forEach(function(value, index) {
-    assert.equal(true, timeouts[index]);
-    assert.equal(true, intervals[index]);
+    assert.strictEqual(true, timeouts[index]);
+    assert.strictEqual(true, intervals[index]);
   });
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-tls-cipher-list.js b/test/parallel/test-tls-cipher-list.js
index 4acb30bc1c..1533900f86 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-tls-cipher-list.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-tls-cipher-list.js
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ function doCheck(arg, check) {
     .stdout.on('data', function(chunk) {
       out += chunk;
     }).on('end', function() {
-      assert.equal(out.trim(), check);
+      assert.strictEqual(out.trim(), check);
     }).on('error', common.fail);
 }
 
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-tls-client-default-ciphers.js b/test/parallel/test-tls-client-default-ciphers.js
index 618178d4a4..30095197b1 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-tls-client-default-ciphers.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-tls-client-default-ciphers.js
@@ -23,6 +23,6 @@ function test1() {
   } catch (e) {
     assert(e instanceof Done);
   }
-  assert.equal(ciphers, tls.DEFAULT_CIPHERS);
+  assert.strictEqual(ciphers, tls.DEFAULT_CIPHERS);
 }
 test1();
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-tls-client-getephemeralkeyinfo.js b/test/parallel/test-tls-client-getephemeralkeyinfo.js
index b49d7131c4..7d68046de9 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-tls-client-getephemeralkeyinfo.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-tls-client-getephemeralkeyinfo.js
@@ -93,6 +93,6 @@ function testECDHE512() {
 testNOT_PFS();
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(ntests, nsuccess);
-  assert.equal(ntests, 5);
+  assert.strictEqual(ntests, nsuccess);
+  assert.strictEqual(ntests, 5);
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-tls-client-mindhsize.js b/test/parallel/test-tls-client-mindhsize.js
index 76e1034621..6bbf90030e 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-tls-client-mindhsize.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-tls-client-mindhsize.js
@@ -88,6 +88,6 @@ assert.throws(() => test(512, true, common.fail),
 });
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(nsuccess, 1);
-  assert.equal(nerror, 1);
+  assert.strictEqual(nsuccess, 1);
+  assert.strictEqual(nerror, 1);
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-tls-client-verify.js b/test/parallel/test-tls-client-verify.js
index 70d96ef154..33d6c95fde 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-tls-client-verify.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-tls-client-verify.js
@@ -130,5 +130,5 @@ runTest(0);
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
   console.log('successful tests: %d', successfulTests);
-  assert.equal(successfulTests, testCases.length);
+  assert.strictEqual(successfulTests, testCases.length);
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-tls-delayed-attach.js b/test/parallel/test-tls-delayed-attach.js
index d757ca756c..9d2aca6a7d 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-tls-delayed-attach.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-tls-delayed-attach.js
@@ -44,5 +44,5 @@ const server = net.createServer(function(c) {
 });
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(received, sent);
+  assert.strictEqual(received, sent);
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-tls-dhe.js b/test/parallel/test-tls-dhe.js
index 4bc81af6e1..1f3f73557a 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-tls-dhe.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-tls-dhe.js
@@ -90,6 +90,6 @@ function testError() {
 test1024();
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(ntests, nsuccess);
-  assert.equal(ntests, 3);
+  assert.strictEqual(ntests, nsuccess);
+  assert.strictEqual(ntests, 3);
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-tls-env-bad-extra-ca.js b/test/parallel/test-tls-env-bad-extra-ca.js
index cb6c4ba489..9b42bbbbd5 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-tls-env-bad-extra-ca.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-tls-env-bad-extra-ca.js
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ let stderr = '';
 
 fork(__filename, opts)
   .on('exit', common.mustCall(function(status) {
-    assert.equal(status, 0, 'client did not succeed in connecting');
+    assert.strictEqual(status, 0, 'client did not succeed in connecting');
   }))
   .on('close', common.mustCall(function() {
     assert(stderr.match(new RegExp(
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-tls-env-extra-ca.js b/test/parallel/test-tls-env-extra-ca.js
index 12e3272bd4..89f1b3a6c0 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-tls-env-extra-ca.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-tls-env-extra-ca.js
@@ -40,6 +40,6 @@ const server = tls.createServer(options, function(s) {
   };
 
   fork(__filename, {env: env}).on('exit', common.mustCall(function(status) {
-    assert.equal(status, 0, 'client did not succeed in connecting');
+    assert.strictEqual(status, 0, 'client did not succeed in connecting');
   }));
 }));
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-tls-honorcipherorder.js b/test/parallel/test-tls-honorcipherorder.js
index f7894e4670..fdfc303146 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-tls-honorcipherorder.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-tls-honorcipherorder.js
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ const SSL_Method = 'TLSv1_2_method';
 const localhost = '127.0.0.1';
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(nconns, 6);
+  assert.strictEqual(nconns, 6);
 });
 
 function test(honorCipherOrder, clientCipher, expectedCipher, cb) {
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ function test(honorCipherOrder, clientCipher, expectedCipher, cb) {
       const cipher = client.getCipher();
       client.end();
       server.close();
-      assert.equal(cipher.name, expectedCipher);
+      assert.strictEqual(cipher.name, expectedCipher);
       if (cb) cb();
     });
   });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-tls-js-stream.js b/test/parallel/test-tls-js-stream.js
index e1b580da30..4e7cf61870 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-tls-js-stream.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-tls-js-stream.js
@@ -71,6 +71,6 @@ const server = tls.createServer({
 });
 
 process.once('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(connected.client, 1);
-  assert.equal(connected.server, 1);
+  assert.strictEqual(connected.client, 1);
+  assert.strictEqual(connected.server, 1);
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-tls-no-rsa-key.js b/test/parallel/test-tls-no-rsa-key.js
index 233d8453db..ed5c941b2d 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-tls-no-rsa-key.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-tls-no-rsa-key.js
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ const server = tls.createServer(options, function(conn) {
     }));
 
     c.on('data', function(data) {
-      assert.equal(data, 'ok');
+      assert.strictEqual(data.toString(), 'ok');
     });
 
     const cert = c.getPeerCertificate();
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-tls-npn-server-client.js b/test/parallel/test-tls-npn-server-client.js
index 1b622cc8f7..3c69204d68 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-tls-npn-server-client.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-tls-npn-server-client.js
@@ -98,10 +98,10 @@ function startTest() {
 }
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(serverResults[0], clientsResults[0]);
-  assert.equal(serverResults[1], clientsResults[1]);
-  assert.equal(serverResults[2], 'http/1.1');
-  assert.equal(clientsResults[2], false);
-  assert.equal(serverResults[3], 'first-priority-unsupported');
-  assert.equal(clientsResults[3], false);
+  assert.strictEqual(serverResults[0], clientsResults[0]);
+  assert.strictEqual(serverResults[1], clientsResults[1]);
+  assert.strictEqual(serverResults[2], 'http/1.1');
+  assert.strictEqual(clientsResults[2], false);
+  assert.strictEqual(serverResults[3], 'first-priority-unsupported');
+  assert.strictEqual(clientsResults[3], false);
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-tls-over-http-tunnel.js b/test/parallel/test-tls-over-http-tunnel.js
index 4e03bcaf53..a37913907b 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-tls-over-http-tunnel.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-tls-over-http-tunnel.js
@@ -39,11 +39,12 @@ const proxy = net.createServer(function(clientSocket) {
   clientSocket.on('data', function(chunk) {
     if (!serverSocket) {
       // Verify the CONNECT request
-      assert.equal(`CONNECT localhost:${server.address().port} HTTP/1.1\r\n` +
-                   'Proxy-Connections: keep-alive\r\n' +
-                   `Host: localhost:${proxy.address().port}\r\n` +
-                   'Connection: close\r\n\r\n',
-                   chunk);
+      assert.strictEqual(`CONNECT localhost:${server.address().port} ` +
+                         'HTTP/1.1\r\n' +
+                         'Proxy-Connections: keep-alive\r\n' +
+                         `Host: localhost:${proxy.address().port}\r\n` +
+                         'Connection: close\r\n\r\n',
+                         chunk.toString());
 
       console.log('PROXY: got CONNECT request');
       console.log('PROXY: creating a tunnel');
@@ -107,7 +108,7 @@ proxy.listen(0, function() {
   }
 
   function onConnect(res, socket, header) {
-    assert.equal(200, res.statusCode);
+    assert.strictEqual(200, res.statusCode);
     console.log('CLIENT: got CONNECT response');
 
     // detach the socket
@@ -130,10 +131,10 @@ proxy.listen(0, function() {
       agent: false,
       rejectUnauthorized: false
     }, function(res) {
-      assert.equal(200, res.statusCode);
+      assert.strictEqual(200, res.statusCode);
 
       res.on('data', function(chunk) {
-        assert.equal('hello world\n', chunk);
+        assert.strictEqual('hello world\n', chunk.toString());
         console.log('CLIENT: got HTTPS response');
         gotRequest = true;
       });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-tls-pause.js b/test/parallel/test-tls-pause.js
index 911ea7097b..c5b96b96dd 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-tls-pause.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-tls-pause.js
@@ -69,5 +69,5 @@ server.listen(0, function() {
 });
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(sent, received);
+  assert.strictEqual(sent, received);
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-tls-peer-certificate-encoding.js b/test/parallel/test-tls-peer-certificate-encoding.js
index 545caf403e..1ae30974ae 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-tls-peer-certificate-encoding.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-tls-peer-certificate-encoding.js
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ server.listen(0, common.mustCall(function() {
     const peerCert = socket.getPeerCertificate();
 
     console.error(util.inspect(peerCert));
-    assert.equal(peerCert.subject.CN, 'Ádám Lippai');
+    assert.strictEqual(peerCert.subject.CN, 'Ádám Lippai');
     server.close();
   }));
   socket.end('Hello');
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-tls-server-verify.js b/test/parallel/test-tls-server-verify.js
index 58a58324fb..3b297dd4ce 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-tls-server-verify.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-tls-server-verify.js
@@ -216,7 +216,7 @@ function runClient(prefix, port, options, cb) {
   //client.stdout.pipe(process.stdout);
 
   client.on('exit', function(code) {
-    //assert.equal(0, code, prefix + options.name +
+    //assert.strictEqual(0, code, prefix + options.name +
     //      ": s_client exited with error code " + code);
     if (options.shouldReject) {
       assert.strictEqual(true, rejected, prefix + options.name +
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-tls-session-cache.js b/test/parallel/test-tls-session-cache.js
index 5e3ae5128e..0b29422151 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-tls-session-cache.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-tls-session-cache.js
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ function doTest(testOptions, callback) {
   server.on('resumeSession', function(id, callback) {
     ++resumeCount;
     assert.ok(session);
-    assert.equal(session.id.toString('hex'), id.toString('hex'));
+    assert.strictEqual(session.id.toString('hex'), id.toString('hex'));
 
     // Just to check that async really works there
     setTimeout(function() {
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ function doTest(testOptions, callback) {
           }
           common.fail(`code: ${code}, signal: ${signal}, output: ${err}`);
         }
-        assert.equal(code, 0);
+        assert.strictEqual(code, 0);
         server.close(common.mustCall(function() {
           setTimeout(callback, 100);
         }));
@@ -119,13 +119,13 @@ function doTest(testOptions, callback) {
 
   process.on('exit', function() {
     if (testOptions.tickets) {
-      assert.equal(requestCount, 6);
-      assert.equal(resumeCount, 0);
+      assert.strictEqual(requestCount, 6);
+      assert.strictEqual(resumeCount, 0);
     } else {
       // initial request + reconnect requests (5 times)
       assert.ok(session);
-      assert.equal(requestCount, 6);
-      assert.equal(resumeCount, 5);
+      assert.strictEqual(requestCount, 6);
+      assert.strictEqual(resumeCount, 5);
     }
   });
 }
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-tls-socket-default-options.js b/test/parallel/test-tls-socket-default-options.js
index 5c32557064..dd62a41090 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-tls-socket-default-options.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-tls-socket-default-options.js
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ function testSocketOptions(socket, socketOptions) {
     s.on('end', function() {
       server.close();
       s.destroy();
-      assert.equal(received, sent);
+      assert.strictEqual(received, sent);
       setImmediate(runTests);
     });
   }).listen(0, function() {
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-umask.js b/test/parallel/test-umask.js
index 1c870893a3..7e4827a4cf 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-umask.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-umask.js
@@ -12,10 +12,10 @@ if (common.isWindows) {
 
 const old = process.umask(mask);
 
-assert.equal(parseInt(mask, 8), process.umask(old));
+assert.strictEqual(parseInt(mask, 8), process.umask(old));
 
 // confirm reading the umask does not modify it.
 // 1. If the test fails, this call will succeed, but the mask will be set to 0
-assert.equal(old, process.umask());
+assert.strictEqual(old, process.umask());
 // 2. If the test fails, process.umask() will return 0
-assert.equal(old, process.umask());
+assert.strictEqual(old, process.umask());
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-url.js b/test/parallel/test-url.js
index fc51b4b300..8c67c6855c 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-url.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-url.js
@@ -921,8 +921,8 @@ for (const u in parseTests) {
   expected = parseTests[u].href;
   actual = url.format(parseTests[u]);
 
-  assert.equal(actual, expected,
-               'format(' + u + ') == ' + u + '\nactual:' + actual);
+  assert.strictEqual(actual, expected,
+                     'format(' + u + ') == ' + u + '\nactual:' + actual);
 }
 
 function createWithNoPrototype(properties = []) {
@@ -1310,8 +1310,8 @@ const relativeTests = [
 relativeTests.forEach(function(relativeTest) {
   const a = url.resolve(relativeTest[0], relativeTest[1]);
   const e = relativeTest[2];
-  assert.equal(a, e,
-               'resolve(' + [relativeTest[0], relativeTest[1]] + ') == ' + e +
+  assert.strictEqual(a, e,
+                     'resolve(' + [relativeTest[0], relativeTest[1]] + ') == ' + e +
                '\n  actual=' + a);
 });
 
@@ -1642,8 +1642,8 @@ const relativeTests2 = [
 relativeTests2.forEach(function(relativeTest) {
   const a = url.resolve(relativeTest[1], relativeTest[0]);
   const e = url.format(relativeTest[2]);
-  assert.equal(a, e,
-               'resolve(' + [relativeTest[1], relativeTest[0]] + ') == ' + e +
+  assert.strictEqual(a, e,
+                     'resolve(' + [relativeTest[1], relativeTest[0]] + ') == ' + e +
                '\n  actual=' + a);
 });
 
@@ -1661,8 +1661,8 @@ relativeTests.forEach(function(relativeTest) {
   expected = relativeTest[2];
   actual = url.format(actual);
 
-  assert.equal(actual, expected,
-               'format(' + actual + ') == ' + expected + '\nactual:' + actual);
+  assert.strictEqual(actual, expected,
+                     'format(' + actual + ') == ' + expected + '\nactual:' + actual);
 });
 
 //format: [to, from, result]
@@ -1692,8 +1692,8 @@ relativeTests2.forEach(function(relativeTest) {
   expected = url.format(relativeTest[2]);
   actual = url.format(actual);
 
-  assert.equal(actual, expected,
-               'format(' + relativeTest[1] + ') == ' + expected +
+  assert.strictEqual(actual, expected,
+                     'format(' + relativeTest[1] + ') == ' + expected +
                '\nactual:' + actual);
 });
 
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-utf8-scripts.js b/test/parallel/test-utf8-scripts.js
index 484d3bdefe..e9d141d58a 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-utf8-scripts.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-utf8-scripts.js
@@ -6,4 +6,4 @@ const assert = require('assert');
 
 console.log('Σὲ γνωρίζω ἀπὸ τὴν κόψη');
 
-assert.equal(true, /Hellö Wörld/.test('Hellö Wörld'));
+assert.strictEqual(true, /Hellö Wörld/.test('Hellö Wörld'));
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-util-log.js b/test/parallel/test-util-log.js
index d45ebf2fc0..3604b42820 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-util-log.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-util-log.js
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ tests.forEach(function(test) {
   const re = (/[0-9]{1,2} [A-Z][a-z]{2} [0-9]{2}:[0-9]{2}:[0-9]{2} - (.+)$/);
   const match = re.exec(result);
   assert.ok(match);
-  assert.equal(match[1], test.output);
+  assert.strictEqual(match[1], test.output);
 });
 
 global.process.stdout.write = stdout_write;
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-util.js b/test/parallel/test-util.js
index 0f5ee28e37..3b7e78ea1e 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-util.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-util.js
@@ -5,78 +5,78 @@ const util = require('util');
 const context = require('vm').runInNewContext;
 
 // isArray
-assert.equal(true, util.isArray([]));
-assert.equal(true, util.isArray(Array()));
-assert.equal(true, util.isArray(new Array()));
-assert.equal(true, util.isArray(new Array(5)));
-assert.equal(true, util.isArray(new Array('with', 'some', 'entries')));
-assert.equal(true, util.isArray(context('Array')()));
-assert.equal(false, util.isArray({}));
-assert.equal(false, util.isArray({ push: function() {} }));
-assert.equal(false, util.isArray(/regexp/));
-assert.equal(false, util.isArray(new Error()));
-assert.equal(false, util.isArray(Object.create(Array.prototype)));
+assert.strictEqual(true, util.isArray([]));
+assert.strictEqual(true, util.isArray(Array()));
+assert.strictEqual(true, util.isArray(new Array()));
+assert.strictEqual(true, util.isArray(new Array(5)));
+assert.strictEqual(true, util.isArray(new Array('with', 'some', 'entries')));
+assert.strictEqual(true, util.isArray(context('Array')()));
+assert.strictEqual(false, util.isArray({}));
+assert.strictEqual(false, util.isArray({ push: function() {} }));
+assert.strictEqual(false, util.isArray(/regexp/));
+assert.strictEqual(false, util.isArray(new Error()));
+assert.strictEqual(false, util.isArray(Object.create(Array.prototype)));
 
 // isRegExp
-assert.equal(true, util.isRegExp(/regexp/));
-assert.equal(true, util.isRegExp(RegExp()));
-assert.equal(true, util.isRegExp(new RegExp()));
-assert.equal(true, util.isRegExp(context('RegExp')()));
-assert.equal(false, util.isRegExp({}));
-assert.equal(false, util.isRegExp([]));
-assert.equal(false, util.isRegExp(new Date()));
-assert.equal(false, util.isRegExp(Object.create(RegExp.prototype)));
+assert.strictEqual(true, util.isRegExp(/regexp/));
+assert.strictEqual(true, util.isRegExp(RegExp()));
+assert.strictEqual(true, util.isRegExp(new RegExp()));
+assert.strictEqual(true, util.isRegExp(context('RegExp')()));
+assert.strictEqual(false, util.isRegExp({}));
+assert.strictEqual(false, util.isRegExp([]));
+assert.strictEqual(false, util.isRegExp(new Date()));
+assert.strictEqual(false, util.isRegExp(Object.create(RegExp.prototype)));
 
 // isDate
-assert.equal(true, util.isDate(new Date()));
-assert.equal(true, util.isDate(new Date(0)));
+assert.strictEqual(true, util.isDate(new Date()));
+assert.strictEqual(true, util.isDate(new Date(0)));
 // eslint-disable-next-line new-parens
-assert.equal(true, util.isDate(new (context('Date'))));
-assert.equal(false, util.isDate(Date()));
-assert.equal(false, util.isDate({}));
-assert.equal(false, util.isDate([]));
-assert.equal(false, util.isDate(new Error()));
-assert.equal(false, util.isDate(Object.create(Date.prototype)));
+assert.strictEqual(true, util.isDate(new (context('Date'))));
+assert.strictEqual(false, util.isDate(Date()));
+assert.strictEqual(false, util.isDate({}));
+assert.strictEqual(false, util.isDate([]));
+assert.strictEqual(false, util.isDate(new Error()));
+assert.strictEqual(false, util.isDate(Object.create(Date.prototype)));
 
 // isError
-assert.equal(true, util.isError(new Error()));
-assert.equal(true, util.isError(new TypeError()));
-assert.equal(true, util.isError(new SyntaxError()));
+assert.strictEqual(true, util.isError(new Error()));
+assert.strictEqual(true, util.isError(new TypeError()));
+assert.strictEqual(true, util.isError(new SyntaxError()));
 /* eslint-disable new-parens */
-assert.equal(true, util.isError(new (context('Error'))));
-assert.equal(true, util.isError(new (context('TypeError'))));
-assert.equal(true, util.isError(new (context('SyntaxError'))));
+assert.strictEqual(true, util.isError(new (context('Error'))));
+assert.strictEqual(true, util.isError(new (context('TypeError'))));
+assert.strictEqual(true, util.isError(new (context('SyntaxError'))));
 /* eslint-enable */
-assert.equal(false, util.isError({}));
-assert.equal(false, util.isError({ name: 'Error', message: '' }));
-assert.equal(false, util.isError([]));
-assert.equal(true, util.isError(Object.create(Error.prototype)));
+assert.strictEqual(false, util.isError({}));
+assert.strictEqual(false, util.isError({ name: 'Error', message: '' }));
+assert.strictEqual(false, util.isError([]));
+assert.strictEqual(true, util.isError(Object.create(Error.prototype)));
 
 // isObject
 assert.ok(util.isObject({}) === true);
 
 // isPrimitive
-assert.equal(false, util.isPrimitive({}));
-assert.equal(false, util.isPrimitive(new Error()));
-assert.equal(false, util.isPrimitive(new Date()));
-assert.equal(false, util.isPrimitive([]));
-assert.equal(false, util.isPrimitive(/regexp/));
-assert.equal(false, util.isPrimitive(function() {}));
-assert.equal(false, util.isPrimitive(new Number(1)));
-assert.equal(false, util.isPrimitive(new String('bla')));
-assert.equal(false, util.isPrimitive(new Boolean(true)));
-assert.equal(true, util.isPrimitive(1));
-assert.equal(true, util.isPrimitive('bla'));
-assert.equal(true, util.isPrimitive(true));
-assert.equal(true, util.isPrimitive(undefined));
-assert.equal(true, util.isPrimitive(null));
-assert.equal(true, util.isPrimitive(Infinity));
-assert.equal(true, util.isPrimitive(NaN));
-assert.equal(true, util.isPrimitive(Symbol('symbol')));
+assert.strictEqual(false, util.isPrimitive({}));
+assert.strictEqual(false, util.isPrimitive(new Error()));
+assert.strictEqual(false, util.isPrimitive(new Date()));
+assert.strictEqual(false, util.isPrimitive([]));
+assert.strictEqual(false, util.isPrimitive(/regexp/));
+assert.strictEqual(false, util.isPrimitive(function() {}));
+assert.strictEqual(false, util.isPrimitive(new Number(1)));
+assert.strictEqual(false, util.isPrimitive(new String('bla')));
+assert.strictEqual(false, util.isPrimitive(new Boolean(true)));
+assert.strictEqual(true, util.isPrimitive(1));
+assert.strictEqual(true, util.isPrimitive('bla'));
+assert.strictEqual(true, util.isPrimitive(true));
+assert.strictEqual(true, util.isPrimitive(undefined));
+assert.strictEqual(true, util.isPrimitive(null));
+assert.strictEqual(true, util.isPrimitive(Infinity));
+assert.strictEqual(true, util.isPrimitive(NaN));
+assert.strictEqual(true, util.isPrimitive(Symbol('symbol')));
 
 // isBuffer
-assert.equal(false, util.isBuffer('foo'));
-assert.equal(true, util.isBuffer(Buffer.from('foo')));
+assert.strictEqual(false, util.isBuffer('foo'));
+assert.strictEqual(true, util.isBuffer(Buffer.from('foo')));
 
 // _extend
 assert.deepStrictEqual(util._extend({a: 1}), {a: 1});
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-v8-stats.js b/test/parallel/test-v8-stats.js
index 5b756f3596..02182e2816 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-v8-stats.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-v8-stats.js
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ const keys = [
   'used_heap_size'];
 assert.deepStrictEqual(Object.keys(s).sort(), keys);
 keys.forEach(function(key) {
-  assert.equal(typeof s[key], 'number');
+  assert.strictEqual(typeof s[key], 'number');
 });
 
 
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vm-cached-data.js b/test/parallel/test-vm-cached-data.js
index 35ab236ae1..3f74f398b8 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vm-cached-data.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vm-cached-data.js
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ function produce(source, count) {
     console.log(data);
   `, source]);
 
-  assert.equal(out.status, 0, out.stderr + '');
+  assert.strictEqual(out.status, 0, out.stderr + '');
 
   return Buffer.from(out.stdout.toString(), 'base64');
 }
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ function testProduceConsume() {
     cachedData: data
   });
   assert(!script.cachedDataRejected);
-  assert.equal(script.runInThisContext()(), 'original');
+  assert.strictEqual(script.runInThisContext()(), 'original');
 }
 testProduceConsume();
 
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ function testRejectInvalid() {
     cachedData: data
   });
   assert(script.cachedDataRejected);
-  assert.equal(script.runInThisContext()(), 'invalid_1');
+  assert.strictEqual(script.runInThisContext()(), 'invalid_1');
 }
 testRejectInvalid();
 
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vm-context.js b/test/parallel/test-vm-context.js
index e4f6960259..7056ce7be3 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vm-context.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vm-context.js
@@ -9,18 +9,18 @@ let script = new Script('"passed";');
 console.error('run in a new empty context');
 let context = vm.createContext();
 let result = script.runInContext(context);
-assert.equal('passed', result);
+assert.strictEqual('passed', result);
 
 console.error('create a new pre-populated context');
 context = vm.createContext({'foo': 'bar', 'thing': 'lala'});
-assert.equal('bar', context.foo);
-assert.equal('lala', context.thing);
+assert.strictEqual('bar', context.foo);
+assert.strictEqual('lala', context.thing);
 
 console.error('test updating context');
 script = new Script('foo = 3;');
 result = script.runInContext(context);
-assert.equal(3, context.foo);
-assert.equal('lala', context.thing);
+assert.strictEqual(3, context.foo);
+assert.strictEqual('lala', context.thing);
 
 // Issue GH-227:
 assert.throws(function() {
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ script = vm.createScript('delete b');
 let ctx = {};
 Object.defineProperty(ctx, 'b', { configurable: false });
 ctx = vm.createContext(ctx);
-assert.equal(script.runInContext(ctx), false);
+assert.strictEqual(script.runInContext(ctx), false);
 
 // Error on the first line of a module should
 // have the correct line and column number
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vm-create-and-run-in-context.js b/test/parallel/test-vm-create-and-run-in-context.js
index a0026102b5..7fd3f1d704 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vm-create-and-run-in-context.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vm-create-and-run-in-context.js
@@ -8,17 +8,17 @@ const vm = require('vm');
 console.error('run in a new empty context');
 let context = vm.createContext();
 let result = vm.runInContext('"passed";', context);
-assert.equal('passed', result);
+assert.strictEqual('passed', result);
 
 console.error('create a new pre-populated context');
 context = vm.createContext({'foo': 'bar', 'thing': 'lala'});
-assert.equal('bar', context.foo);
-assert.equal('lala', context.thing);
+assert.strictEqual('bar', context.foo);
+assert.strictEqual('lala', context.thing);
 
 console.error('test updating context');
 result = vm.runInContext('var foo = 3;', context);
-assert.equal(3, context.foo);
-assert.equal('lala', context.thing);
+assert.strictEqual(3, context.foo);
+assert.strictEqual('lala', context.thing);
 
 // https://github.com/nodejs/node/issues/5768
 console.error('run in contextified sandbox without referencing the context');
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vm-create-context-circular-reference.js b/test/parallel/test-vm-create-context-circular-reference.js
index 13680c4c4e..1d7be0db9f 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vm-create-context-circular-reference.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vm-create-context-circular-reference.js
@@ -10,4 +10,4 @@ sbx = vm.createContext(sbx);
 
 sbx.test = 123;
 
-assert.equal(sbx.window.window.window.window.window.test, 123);
+assert.strictEqual(sbx.window.window.window.window.window.test, 123);
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vm-function-declaration.js b/test/parallel/test-vm-function-declaration.js
index 9f27723a04..668b29885c 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vm-function-declaration.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vm-function-declaration.js
@@ -18,10 +18,10 @@ code += '(function(){return this})().b;\n';
 
 const res = vm.runInContext(code, o, 'test');
 
-assert.equal(typeof res, 'function', 'result should be function');
-assert.equal(res.name, 'b', 'res should be named b');
-assert.equal(typeof o.a, 'function', 'a should be function');
-assert.equal(typeof o.b, 'function', 'b should be function');
-assert.equal(res, o.b, 'result should be global b function');
+assert.strictEqual(typeof res, 'function', 'result should be function');
+assert.strictEqual(res.name, 'b', 'res should be named b');
+assert.strictEqual(typeof o.a, 'function', 'a should be function');
+assert.strictEqual(typeof o.b, 'function', 'b should be function');
+assert.strictEqual(res, o.b, 'result should be global b function');
 
 console.log('ok');
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vm-global-define-property.js b/test/parallel/test-vm-global-define-property.js
index 62a714615d..83f6073d1c 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vm-global-define-property.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vm-global-define-property.js
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ const o = vm.createContext({ console: console, x: x });
 const res = vm.runInContext(code, o, 'test');
 
 assert(res);
-assert.equal(typeof res, 'object');
-assert.equal(res, x);
-assert.equal(o.f, res);
+assert.strictEqual(typeof res, 'object');
+assert.strictEqual(res, x);
+assert.strictEqual(o.f, res);
 assert.deepStrictEqual(Object.keys(o), ['console', 'x', 'g', 'f']);
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vm-new-script-new-context.js b/test/parallel/test-vm-new-script-new-context.js
index a02627668f..693a041138 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vm-new-script-new-context.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vm-new-script-new-context.js
@@ -10,8 +10,8 @@ let script = new Script('\'passed\';');
 console.error('script created');
 const result1 = script.runInNewContext();
 const result2 = script.runInNewContext();
-assert.equal('passed', result1);
-assert.equal('passed', result2);
+assert.strictEqual('passed', result1);
+assert.strictEqual('passed', result2);
 
 console.error('thrown error');
 script = new Script('throw new Error(\'test\');');
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ assert.throws(function() {
 global.hello = 5;
 script = new Script('hello = 2');
 script.runInNewContext();
-assert.equal(5, global.hello);
+assert.strictEqual(5, global.hello);
 
 
 console.error('pass values in and out');
@@ -43,21 +43,21 @@ script = new Script(global.code);
 /* eslint-disable no-unused-vars */
 const baz = script.runInNewContext(global.obj);
 /* eslint-enable no-unused-vars */
-assert.equal(1, global.obj.foo);
-assert.equal(2, global.obj.bar);
-assert.equal(2, global.foo);
+assert.strictEqual(1, global.obj.foo);
+assert.strictEqual(2, global.obj.bar);
+assert.strictEqual(2, global.foo);
 
 console.error('call a function by reference');
 script = new Script('f()');
 function changeFoo() { global.foo = 100; }
 script.runInNewContext({ f: changeFoo });
-assert.equal(global.foo, 100);
+assert.strictEqual(global.foo, 100);
 
 console.error('modify an object by reference');
 script = new Script('f.a = 2');
 const f = { a: 1 };
 script.runInNewContext({ f: f });
-assert.equal(f.a, 2);
+assert.strictEqual(f.a, 2);
 
 assert.throws(function() {
   script.runInNewContext();
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vm-new-script-this-context.js b/test/parallel/test-vm-new-script-this-context.js
index fb7e271985..3df5dc1b50 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vm-new-script-this-context.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vm-new-script-this-context.js
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ common.globalCheck = false;
 console.error('run a string');
 let script = new Script('\'passed\';');
 const result = script.runInThisContext(script);
-assert.equal('passed', result);
+assert.strictEqual('passed', result);
 
 console.error('thrown error');
 script = new Script('throw new Error(\'test\');');
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ assert.throws(function() {
 global.hello = 5;
 script = new Script('hello = 2');
 script.runInThisContext(script);
-assert.equal(2, global.hello);
+assert.strictEqual(2, global.hello);
 
 
 console.error('pass values');
@@ -30,12 +30,12 @@ global.foo = 2;
 global.obj = { foo: 0, baz: 3 };
 script = new Script(global.code);
 script.runInThisContext(script);
-assert.equal(0, global.obj.foo);
-assert.equal(2, global.bar);
-assert.equal(1, global.foo);
+assert.strictEqual(0, global.obj.foo);
+assert.strictEqual(2, global.bar);
+assert.strictEqual(1, global.foo);
 
 console.error('call a function');
 global.f = function() { global.foo = 100; };
 script = new Script('f()');
 script.runInThisContext(script);
-assert.equal(100, global.foo);
+assert.strictEqual(100, global.foo);
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vm-run-in-new-context.js b/test/parallel/test-vm-run-in-new-context.js
index b00e5a973e..7b096ffc3f 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vm-run-in-new-context.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vm-run-in-new-context.js
@@ -5,13 +5,14 @@ const common = require('../common');
 const assert = require('assert');
 const vm = require('vm');
 
-assert.equal(typeof global.gc, 'function', 'Run this test with --expose-gc');
+assert.strictEqual(typeof global.gc, 'function',
+                   'Run this test with --expose-gc');
 
 common.globalCheck = false;
 
 console.error('run a string');
 const result = vm.runInNewContext('\'passed\';');
-assert.equal('passed', result);
+assert.strictEqual('passed', result);
 
 console.error('thrown error');
 assert.throws(function() {
@@ -20,7 +21,7 @@ assert.throws(function() {
 
 global.hello = 5;
 vm.runInNewContext('hello = 2');
-assert.equal(5, global.hello);
+assert.strictEqual(5, global.hello);
 
 
 console.error('pass values in and out');
@@ -32,19 +33,19 @@ global.obj = { foo: 0, baz: 3 };
 /* eslint-disable no-unused-vars */
 const baz = vm.runInNewContext(global.code, global.obj);
 /* eslint-enable no-unused-vars */
-assert.equal(1, global.obj.foo);
-assert.equal(2, global.obj.bar);
-assert.equal(2, global.foo);
+assert.strictEqual(1, global.obj.foo);
+assert.strictEqual(2, global.obj.bar);
+assert.strictEqual(2, global.foo);
 
 console.error('call a function by reference');
 function changeFoo() { global.foo = 100; }
 vm.runInNewContext('f()', { f: changeFoo });
-assert.equal(global.foo, 100);
+assert.strictEqual(global.foo, 100);
 
 console.error('modify an object by reference');
 const f = { a: 1 };
 vm.runInNewContext('f.a = 2', { f: f });
-assert.equal(f.a, 2);
+assert.strictEqual(f.a, 2);
 
 console.error('use function in context without referencing context');
 const fn = vm.runInNewContext('(function() { obj.p = {}; })', { obj: {} });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vm-syntax-error-message.js b/test/parallel/test-vm-syntax-error-message.js
index 1a97393d6d..c0a00d06aa 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vm-syntax-error-message.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vm-syntax-error-message.js
@@ -22,5 +22,5 @@ p.stdout.on('data', function(data) {
 });
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(output.replace(/[\r\n]+/g, ''), 'boo');
+  assert.strictEqual(output.replace(/[\r\n]+/g, ''), 'boo');
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-whatwg-url-setters.js b/test/parallel/test-whatwg-url-setters.js
index 20544dbb7f..e5f591b6cc 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-whatwg-url-setters.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-whatwg-url-setters.js
@@ -24,8 +24,9 @@ for (const attr in attrs) {
     const url = new URL(test.href);
     url[attr] = test.new_value;
     for (const test_attr in test.expected) {
-      assert.equal(test.expected[test_attr], url[test_attr],
-                   `${n} ${attr} ${test_attr} ${test.href} ${test.comment}`);
+      assert.strictEqual(test.expected[test_attr], url[test_attr],
+                         `${n} ${attr} ${test_attr} ` +
+                         `${test.href} ${test.comment}`);
     }
   }
 }
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-writedouble.js b/test/parallel/test-writedouble.js
index 935f9e7ae0..fa9c94022d 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-writedouble.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-writedouble.js
@@ -10,140 +10,140 @@ function test(clazz) {
 
   buffer.writeDoubleBE(2.225073858507201e-308, 0);
   buffer.writeDoubleLE(2.225073858507201e-308, 8);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[0]);
-  assert.equal(0x0f, buffer[1]);
-  assert.equal(0xff, buffer[2]);
-  assert.equal(0xff, buffer[3]);
-  assert.equal(0xff, buffer[4]);
-  assert.equal(0xff, buffer[5]);
-  assert.equal(0xff, buffer[6]);
-  assert.equal(0xff, buffer[7]);
-  assert.equal(0xff, buffer[8]);
-  assert.equal(0xff, buffer[9]);
-  assert.equal(0xff, buffer[10]);
-  assert.equal(0xff, buffer[11]);
-  assert.equal(0xff, buffer[12]);
-  assert.equal(0xff, buffer[13]);
-  assert.equal(0x0f, buffer[14]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[15]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[0]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x0f, buffer[1]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xff, buffer[2]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xff, buffer[3]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xff, buffer[4]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xff, buffer[5]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xff, buffer[6]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xff, buffer[7]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xff, buffer[8]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xff, buffer[9]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xff, buffer[10]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xff, buffer[11]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xff, buffer[12]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xff, buffer[13]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x0f, buffer[14]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[15]);
 
   buffer.writeDoubleBE(1.0000000000000004, 0);
   buffer.writeDoubleLE(1.0000000000000004, 8);
-  assert.equal(0x3f, buffer[0]);
-  assert.equal(0xf0, buffer[1]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[2]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[3]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[4]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[5]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[6]);
-  assert.equal(0x02, buffer[7]);
-  assert.equal(0x02, buffer[8]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[9]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[10]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[11]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[12]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[13]);
-  assert.equal(0xf0, buffer[14]);
-  assert.equal(0x3f, buffer[15]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x3f, buffer[0]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xf0, buffer[1]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[2]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[3]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[4]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[5]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[6]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x02, buffer[7]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x02, buffer[8]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[9]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[10]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[11]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[12]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[13]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xf0, buffer[14]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x3f, buffer[15]);
 
   buffer.writeDoubleBE(-2, 0);
   buffer.writeDoubleLE(-2, 8);
-  assert.equal(0xc0, buffer[0]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[1]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[2]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[3]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[4]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[5]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[6]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[7]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[8]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[9]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[10]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[11]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[12]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[13]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[14]);
-  assert.equal(0xc0, buffer[15]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xc0, buffer[0]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[1]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[2]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[3]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[4]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[5]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[6]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[7]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[8]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[9]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[10]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[11]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[12]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[13]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[14]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xc0, buffer[15]);
 
   buffer.writeDoubleBE(1.7976931348623157e+308, 0);
   buffer.writeDoubleLE(1.7976931348623157e+308, 8);
-  assert.equal(0x7f, buffer[0]);
-  assert.equal(0xef, buffer[1]);
-  assert.equal(0xff, buffer[2]);
-  assert.equal(0xff, buffer[3]);
-  assert.equal(0xff, buffer[4]);
-  assert.equal(0xff, buffer[5]);
-  assert.equal(0xff, buffer[6]);
-  assert.equal(0xff, buffer[7]);
-  assert.equal(0xff, buffer[8]);
-  assert.equal(0xff, buffer[9]);
-  assert.equal(0xff, buffer[10]);
-  assert.equal(0xff, buffer[11]);
-  assert.equal(0xff, buffer[12]);
-  assert.equal(0xff, buffer[13]);
-  assert.equal(0xef, buffer[14]);
-  assert.equal(0x7f, buffer[15]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x7f, buffer[0]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xef, buffer[1]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xff, buffer[2]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xff, buffer[3]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xff, buffer[4]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xff, buffer[5]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xff, buffer[6]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xff, buffer[7]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xff, buffer[8]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xff, buffer[9]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xff, buffer[10]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xff, buffer[11]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xff, buffer[12]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xff, buffer[13]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xef, buffer[14]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x7f, buffer[15]);
 
   buffer.writeDoubleBE(0 * -1, 0);
   buffer.writeDoubleLE(0 * -1, 8);
-  assert.equal(0x80, buffer[0]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[1]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[2]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[3]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[4]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[5]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[6]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[7]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[8]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[9]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[10]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[11]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[12]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[13]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[14]);
-  assert.equal(0x80, buffer[15]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x80, buffer[0]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[1]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[2]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[3]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[4]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[5]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[6]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[7]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[8]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[9]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[10]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[11]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[12]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[13]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[14]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x80, buffer[15]);
 
   buffer.writeDoubleBE(Infinity, 0);
   buffer.writeDoubleLE(Infinity, 8);
-  assert.equal(0x7F, buffer[0]);
-  assert.equal(0xF0, buffer[1]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[2]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[3]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[4]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[5]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[6]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[7]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[8]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[9]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[10]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[11]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[12]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[13]);
-  assert.equal(0xF0, buffer[14]);
-  assert.equal(0x7F, buffer[15]);
-  assert.equal(Infinity, buffer.readDoubleBE(0));
-  assert.equal(Infinity, buffer.readDoubleLE(8));
+  assert.strictEqual(0x7F, buffer[0]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xF0, buffer[1]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[2]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[3]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[4]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[5]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[6]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[7]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[8]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[9]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[10]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[11]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[12]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[13]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xF0, buffer[14]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x7F, buffer[15]);
+  assert.strictEqual(Infinity, buffer.readDoubleBE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(Infinity, buffer.readDoubleLE(8));
 
   buffer.writeDoubleBE(-Infinity, 0);
   buffer.writeDoubleLE(-Infinity, 8);
-  assert.equal(0xFF, buffer[0]);
-  assert.equal(0xF0, buffer[1]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[2]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[3]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[4]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[5]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[6]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[7]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[8]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[9]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[10]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[11]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[12]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[13]);
-  assert.equal(0xF0, buffer[14]);
-  assert.equal(0xFF, buffer[15]);
-  assert.equal(-Infinity, buffer.readDoubleBE(0));
-  assert.equal(-Infinity, buffer.readDoubleLE(8));
+  assert.strictEqual(0xFF, buffer[0]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xF0, buffer[1]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[2]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[3]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[4]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[5]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[6]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[7]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[8]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[9]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[10]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[11]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[12]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[13]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xF0, buffer[14]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xFF, buffer[15]);
+  assert.strictEqual(-Infinity, buffer.readDoubleBE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(-Infinity, buffer.readDoubleLE(8));
 
   buffer.writeDoubleBE(NaN, 0);
   buffer.writeDoubleLE(NaN, 8);
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-writefloat.js b/test/parallel/test-writefloat.js
index 113e97c6d3..aeb62c8c02 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-writefloat.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-writefloat.js
@@ -10,86 +10,86 @@ function test(clazz) {
 
   buffer.writeFloatBE(1, 0);
   buffer.writeFloatLE(1, 4);
-  assert.equal(0x3f, buffer[0]);
-  assert.equal(0x80, buffer[1]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[2]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[3]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[4]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[5]);
-  assert.equal(0x80, buffer[6]);
-  assert.equal(0x3f, buffer[7]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x3f, buffer[0]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x80, buffer[1]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[2]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[3]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[4]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[5]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x80, buffer[6]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x3f, buffer[7]);
 
   buffer.writeFloatBE(1 / 3, 0);
   buffer.writeFloatLE(1 / 3, 4);
-  assert.equal(0x3e, buffer[0]);
-  assert.equal(0xaa, buffer[1]);
-  assert.equal(0xaa, buffer[2]);
-  assert.equal(0xab, buffer[3]);
-  assert.equal(0xab, buffer[4]);
-  assert.equal(0xaa, buffer[5]);
-  assert.equal(0xaa, buffer[6]);
-  assert.equal(0x3e, buffer[7]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x3e, buffer[0]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xaa, buffer[1]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xaa, buffer[2]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xab, buffer[3]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xab, buffer[4]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xaa, buffer[5]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xaa, buffer[6]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x3e, buffer[7]);
 
   buffer.writeFloatBE(3.4028234663852886e+38, 0);
   buffer.writeFloatLE(3.4028234663852886e+38, 4);
-  assert.equal(0x7f, buffer[0]);
-  assert.equal(0x7f, buffer[1]);
-  assert.equal(0xff, buffer[2]);
-  assert.equal(0xff, buffer[3]);
-  assert.equal(0xff, buffer[4]);
-  assert.equal(0xff, buffer[5]);
-  assert.equal(0x7f, buffer[6]);
-  assert.equal(0x7f, buffer[7]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x7f, buffer[0]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x7f, buffer[1]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xff, buffer[2]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xff, buffer[3]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xff, buffer[4]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xff, buffer[5]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x7f, buffer[6]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x7f, buffer[7]);
 
   buffer.writeFloatLE(1.1754943508222875e-38, 0);
   buffer.writeFloatBE(1.1754943508222875e-38, 4);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[0]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[1]);
-  assert.equal(0x80, buffer[2]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[3]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[4]);
-  assert.equal(0x80, buffer[5]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[6]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[7]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[0]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[1]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x80, buffer[2]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[3]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[4]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x80, buffer[5]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[6]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[7]);
 
   buffer.writeFloatBE(0 * -1, 0);
   buffer.writeFloatLE(0 * -1, 4);
-  assert.equal(0x80, buffer[0]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[1]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[2]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[3]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[4]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[5]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[6]);
-  assert.equal(0x80, buffer[7]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x80, buffer[0]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[1]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[2]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[3]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[4]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[5]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[6]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x80, buffer[7]);
 
   buffer.writeFloatBE(Infinity, 0);
   buffer.writeFloatLE(Infinity, 4);
-  assert.equal(0x7F, buffer[0]);
-  assert.equal(0x80, buffer[1]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[2]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[3]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[4]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[5]);
-  assert.equal(0x80, buffer[6]);
-  assert.equal(0x7F, buffer[7]);
-  assert.equal(Infinity, buffer.readFloatBE(0));
-  assert.equal(Infinity, buffer.readFloatLE(4));
+  assert.strictEqual(0x7F, buffer[0]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x80, buffer[1]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[2]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[3]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[4]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[5]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x80, buffer[6]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x7F, buffer[7]);
+  assert.strictEqual(Infinity, buffer.readFloatBE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(Infinity, buffer.readFloatLE(4));
 
   buffer.writeFloatBE(-Infinity, 0);
   buffer.writeFloatLE(-Infinity, 4);
   // Darwin ia32 does the other kind of NaN.
   // Compiler bug.  No one really cares.
   assert(0xFF === buffer[0] || 0x7F === buffer[0]);
-  assert.equal(0x80, buffer[1]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[2]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[3]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[4]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[5]);
-  assert.equal(0x80, buffer[6]);
-  assert.equal(0xFF, buffer[7]);
-  assert.equal(-Infinity, buffer.readFloatBE(0));
-  assert.equal(-Infinity, buffer.readFloatLE(4));
+  assert.strictEqual(0x80, buffer[1]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[2]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[3]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[4]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[5]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x80, buffer[6]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xFF, buffer[7]);
+  assert.strictEqual(-Infinity, buffer.readFloatBE(0));
+  assert.strictEqual(-Infinity, buffer.readFloatLE(4));
 
   buffer.writeFloatBE(NaN, 0);
   buffer.writeFloatLE(NaN, 4);
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-writeint.js b/test/parallel/test-writeint.js
index ed95e7876e..d3ca5409f0 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-writeint.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-writeint.js
@@ -11,8 +11,8 @@ function test8(clazz) {
   buffer.writeInt8(0x23, 0);
   buffer.writeInt8(-5, 1);
 
-  assert.equal(0x23, buffer[0]);
-  assert.equal(0xfb, buffer[1]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x23, buffer[0]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xfb, buffer[1]);
 
   /* Make sure we handle truncation correctly */
   assert.throws(function() {
@@ -26,8 +26,8 @@ function test8(clazz) {
   buffer.writeInt8(0x7f, 0);
   buffer.writeInt8(-0x80, 1);
 
-  assert.equal(0x7f, buffer[0]);
-  assert.equal(0x80, buffer[1]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x7f, buffer[0]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x80, buffer[1]);
   assert.throws(function() {
     buffer.writeInt8(0x7f + 1, 0);
   });
@@ -42,32 +42,32 @@ function test16(clazz) {
 
   buffer.writeInt16BE(0x0023, 0);
   buffer.writeInt16LE(0x0023, 2);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[0]);
-  assert.equal(0x23, buffer[1]);
-  assert.equal(0x23, buffer[2]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[3]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[0]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x23, buffer[1]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x23, buffer[2]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[3]);
 
   buffer.writeInt16BE(-5, 0);
   buffer.writeInt16LE(-5, 2);
-  assert.equal(0xff, buffer[0]);
-  assert.equal(0xfb, buffer[1]);
-  assert.equal(0xfb, buffer[2]);
-  assert.equal(0xff, buffer[3]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xff, buffer[0]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xfb, buffer[1]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xfb, buffer[2]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xff, buffer[3]);
 
   buffer.writeInt16BE(-1679, 1);
   buffer.writeInt16LE(-1679, 3);
-  assert.equal(0xf9, buffer[1]);
-  assert.equal(0x71, buffer[2]);
-  assert.equal(0x71, buffer[3]);
-  assert.equal(0xf9, buffer[4]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xf9, buffer[1]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x71, buffer[2]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x71, buffer[3]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xf9, buffer[4]);
 
   /* Make sure we handle min/max correctly */
   buffer.writeInt16BE(0x7fff, 0);
   buffer.writeInt16BE(-0x8000, 2);
-  assert.equal(0x7f, buffer[0]);
-  assert.equal(0xff, buffer[1]);
-  assert.equal(0x80, buffer[2]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[3]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x7f, buffer[0]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xff, buffer[1]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x80, buffer[2]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[3]);
   assert.throws(function() {
     buffer.writeInt16BE(0x7fff + 1, 0);
   });
@@ -77,10 +77,10 @@ function test16(clazz) {
 
   buffer.writeInt16LE(0x7fff, 0);
   buffer.writeInt16LE(-0x8000, 2);
-  assert.equal(0xff, buffer[0]);
-  assert.equal(0x7f, buffer[1]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[2]);
-  assert.equal(0x80, buffer[3]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xff, buffer[0]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x7f, buffer[1]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[2]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x80, buffer[3]);
   assert.throws(function() {
     buffer.writeInt16LE(0x7fff + 1, 0);
   });
@@ -95,48 +95,48 @@ function test32(clazz) {
 
   buffer.writeInt32BE(0x23, 0);
   buffer.writeInt32LE(0x23, 4);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[0]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[1]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[2]);
-  assert.equal(0x23, buffer[3]);
-  assert.equal(0x23, buffer[4]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[5]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[6]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[7]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[0]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[1]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[2]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x23, buffer[3]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x23, buffer[4]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[5]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[6]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[7]);
 
   buffer.writeInt32BE(-5, 0);
   buffer.writeInt32LE(-5, 4);
-  assert.equal(0xff, buffer[0]);
-  assert.equal(0xff, buffer[1]);
-  assert.equal(0xff, buffer[2]);
-  assert.equal(0xfb, buffer[3]);
-  assert.equal(0xfb, buffer[4]);
-  assert.equal(0xff, buffer[5]);
-  assert.equal(0xff, buffer[6]);
-  assert.equal(0xff, buffer[7]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xff, buffer[0]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xff, buffer[1]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xff, buffer[2]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xfb, buffer[3]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xfb, buffer[4]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xff, buffer[5]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xff, buffer[6]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xff, buffer[7]);
 
   buffer.writeInt32BE(-805306713, 0);
   buffer.writeInt32LE(-805306713, 4);
-  assert.equal(0xcf, buffer[0]);
-  assert.equal(0xff, buffer[1]);
-  assert.equal(0xfe, buffer[2]);
-  assert.equal(0xa7, buffer[3]);
-  assert.equal(0xa7, buffer[4]);
-  assert.equal(0xfe, buffer[5]);
-  assert.equal(0xff, buffer[6]);
-  assert.equal(0xcf, buffer[7]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xcf, buffer[0]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xff, buffer[1]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xfe, buffer[2]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xa7, buffer[3]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xa7, buffer[4]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xfe, buffer[5]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xff, buffer[6]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xcf, buffer[7]);
 
   /* Make sure we handle min/max correctly */
   buffer.writeInt32BE(0x7fffffff, 0);
   buffer.writeInt32BE(-0x80000000, 4);
-  assert.equal(0x7f, buffer[0]);
-  assert.equal(0xff, buffer[1]);
-  assert.equal(0xff, buffer[2]);
-  assert.equal(0xff, buffer[3]);
-  assert.equal(0x80, buffer[4]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[5]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[6]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[7]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x7f, buffer[0]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xff, buffer[1]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xff, buffer[2]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xff, buffer[3]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x80, buffer[4]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[5]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[6]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[7]);
   assert.throws(function() {
     buffer.writeInt32BE(0x7fffffff + 1, 0);
   });
@@ -146,14 +146,14 @@ function test32(clazz) {
 
   buffer.writeInt32LE(0x7fffffff, 0);
   buffer.writeInt32LE(-0x80000000, 4);
-  assert.equal(0xff, buffer[0]);
-  assert.equal(0xff, buffer[1]);
-  assert.equal(0xff, buffer[2]);
-  assert.equal(0x7f, buffer[3]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[4]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[5]);
-  assert.equal(0x00, buffer[6]);
-  assert.equal(0x80, buffer[7]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xff, buffer[0]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xff, buffer[1]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xff, buffer[2]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x7f, buffer[3]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[4]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[5]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x00, buffer[6]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x80, buffer[7]);
   assert.throws(function() {
     buffer.writeInt32LE(0x7fffffff + 1, 0);
   });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-writeuint.js b/test/parallel/test-writeuint.js
index bddb954d24..e91e1d256d 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-writeuint.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-writeuint.js
@@ -19,25 +19,25 @@ function test8(clazz) {
   data.writeUInt8(23, 1);
   data.writeUInt8(23, 2);
   data.writeUInt8(23, 3);
-  assert.equal(23, data[0]);
-  assert.equal(23, data[1]);
-  assert.equal(23, data[2]);
-  assert.equal(23, data[3]);
+  assert.strictEqual(23, data[0]);
+  assert.strictEqual(23, data[1]);
+  assert.strictEqual(23, data[2]);
+  assert.strictEqual(23, data[3]);
 
   data.writeUInt8(23, 0);
   data.writeUInt8(23, 1);
   data.writeUInt8(23, 2);
   data.writeUInt8(23, 3);
-  assert.equal(23, data[0]);
-  assert.equal(23, data[1]);
-  assert.equal(23, data[2]);
-  assert.equal(23, data[3]);
+  assert.strictEqual(23, data[0]);
+  assert.strictEqual(23, data[1]);
+  assert.strictEqual(23, data[2]);
+  assert.strictEqual(23, data[3]);
 
   data.writeUInt8(255, 0);
-  assert.equal(255, data[0]);
+  assert.strictEqual(255, data[0]);
 
   data.writeUInt8(255, 0);
-  assert.equal(255, data[0]);
+  assert.strictEqual(255, data[0]);
 }
 
 
@@ -46,37 +46,37 @@ function test16(clazz) {
   const data = new clazz(4);
 
   data.writeUInt16BE(value, 0);
-  assert.equal(0x23, data[0]);
-  assert.equal(0x43, data[1]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x23, data[0]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x43, data[1]);
 
   data.writeUInt16BE(value, 1);
-  assert.equal(0x23, data[1]);
-  assert.equal(0x43, data[2]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x23, data[1]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x43, data[2]);
 
   data.writeUInt16BE(value, 2);
-  assert.equal(0x23, data[2]);
-  assert.equal(0x43, data[3]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x23, data[2]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x43, data[3]);
 
   data.writeUInt16LE(value, 0);
-  assert.equal(0x23, data[1]);
-  assert.equal(0x43, data[0]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x23, data[1]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x43, data[0]);
 
   data.writeUInt16LE(value, 1);
-  assert.equal(0x23, data[2]);
-  assert.equal(0x43, data[1]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x23, data[2]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x43, data[1]);
 
   data.writeUInt16LE(value, 2);
-  assert.equal(0x23, data[3]);
-  assert.equal(0x43, data[2]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x23, data[3]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x43, data[2]);
 
   value = 0xff80;
   data.writeUInt16LE(value, 0);
-  assert.equal(0xff, data[1]);
-  assert.equal(0x80, data[0]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xff, data[1]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x80, data[0]);
 
   data.writeUInt16BE(value, 0);
-  assert.equal(0xff, data[0]);
-  assert.equal(0x80, data[1]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xff, data[0]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x80, data[1]);
 }
 
 
@@ -85,40 +85,40 @@ function test32(clazz) {
   const value = 0xe7f90a6d;
 
   data.writeUInt32BE(value, 0);
-  assert.equal(0xe7, data[0]);
-  assert.equal(0xf9, data[1]);
-  assert.equal(0x0a, data[2]);
-  assert.equal(0x6d, data[3]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xe7, data[0]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xf9, data[1]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x0a, data[2]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x6d, data[3]);
 
   data.writeUInt32BE(value, 1);
-  assert.equal(0xe7, data[1]);
-  assert.equal(0xf9, data[2]);
-  assert.equal(0x0a, data[3]);
-  assert.equal(0x6d, data[4]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xe7, data[1]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xf9, data[2]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x0a, data[3]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x6d, data[4]);
 
   data.writeUInt32BE(value, 2);
-  assert.equal(0xe7, data[2]);
-  assert.equal(0xf9, data[3]);
-  assert.equal(0x0a, data[4]);
-  assert.equal(0x6d, data[5]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xe7, data[2]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xf9, data[3]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x0a, data[4]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x6d, data[5]);
 
   data.writeUInt32LE(value, 0);
-  assert.equal(0xe7, data[3]);
-  assert.equal(0xf9, data[2]);
-  assert.equal(0x0a, data[1]);
-  assert.equal(0x6d, data[0]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xe7, data[3]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xf9, data[2]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x0a, data[1]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x6d, data[0]);
 
   data.writeUInt32LE(value, 1);
-  assert.equal(0xe7, data[4]);
-  assert.equal(0xf9, data[3]);
-  assert.equal(0x0a, data[2]);
-  assert.equal(0x6d, data[1]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xe7, data[4]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xf9, data[3]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x0a, data[2]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x6d, data[1]);
 
   data.writeUInt32LE(value, 2);
-  assert.equal(0xe7, data[5]);
-  assert.equal(0xf9, data[4]);
-  assert.equal(0x0a, data[3]);
-  assert.equal(0x6d, data[2]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xe7, data[5]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0xf9, data[4]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x0a, data[3]);
+  assert.strictEqual(0x6d, data[2]);
 }
 
 
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-zlib-const.js b/test/parallel/test-zlib-const.js
index cafa4f8caa..ba6bb5fb8a 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-zlib-const.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-zlib-const.js
@@ -4,14 +4,14 @@ const assert = require('assert');
 
 const zlib = require('zlib');
 
-assert.equal(zlib.constants.Z_OK, 0, 'Z_OK should be 0');
+assert.strictEqual(zlib.constants.Z_OK, 0, 'Z_OK should be 0');
 zlib.constants.Z_OK = 1;
-assert.equal(zlib.constants.Z_OK, 0, 'Z_OK should be 0');
+assert.strictEqual(zlib.constants.Z_OK, 0, 'Z_OK should be 0');
 
-assert.equal(zlib.codes.Z_OK, 0, 'Z_OK should be 0');
+assert.strictEqual(zlib.codes.Z_OK, 0, 'Z_OK should be 0');
 zlib.codes.Z_OK = 1;
-assert.equal(zlib.codes.Z_OK, 0, 'zlib.codes.Z_OK should be 0');
+assert.strictEqual(zlib.codes.Z_OK, 0, 'zlib.codes.Z_OK should be 0');
 zlib.codes = {Z_OK: 1};
-assert.equal(zlib.codes.Z_OK, 0, 'zlib.codes.Z_OK should be 0');
+assert.strictEqual(zlib.codes.Z_OK, 0, 'zlib.codes.Z_OK should be 0');
 
 assert.ok(Object.isFrozen(zlib.codes), 'zlib.codes should be frozen');
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-zlib-convenience-methods.js b/test/parallel/test-zlib-convenience-methods.js
index b67b65d7d0..9b9419c7bf 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-zlib-convenience-methods.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-zlib-convenience-methods.js
@@ -22,8 +22,8 @@ const opts = {
 
   zlib[method[0]](expect, opts, function(err, result) {
     zlib[method[1]](result, opts, function(err, result) {
-      assert.equal(result, expect,
-                   'Should get original string after ' +
+      assert.strictEqual(result.toString(), expect,
+                         'Should get original string after ' +
                    method[0] + '/' + method[1] + ' with options.');
       hadRun++;
     });
@@ -31,8 +31,8 @@ const opts = {
 
   zlib[method[0]](expect, function(err, result) {
     zlib[method[1]](result, function(err, result) {
-      assert.equal(result, expect,
-                   'Should get original string after ' +
+      assert.strictEqual(result.toString(), expect,
+                         'Should get original string after ' +
                    method[0] + '/' + method[1] + ' without options.');
       hadRun++;
     });
@@ -40,20 +40,20 @@ const opts = {
 
   let result = zlib[method[0] + 'Sync'](expect, opts);
   result = zlib[method[1] + 'Sync'](result, opts);
-  assert.equal(result, expect,
-               'Should get original string after ' +
+  assert.strictEqual(result.toString(), expect,
+                     'Should get original string after ' +
                method[0] + '/' + method[1] + ' with options.');
   hadRun++;
 
   result = zlib[method[0] + 'Sync'](expect);
   result = zlib[method[1] + 'Sync'](result);
-  assert.equal(result, expect,
-               'Should get original string after ' +
+  assert.strictEqual(result.toString(), expect,
+                     'Should get original string after ' +
                method[0] + '/' + method[1] + ' without options.');
   hadRun++;
 
 });
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(hadRun, 16, 'expect 16 compressions');
+  assert.strictEqual(hadRun, 16, 'expect 16 compressions');
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-zlib-flush-drain.js b/test/parallel/test-zlib-flush-drain.js
index afa4194ac6..d446f048b0 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-zlib-flush-drain.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-zlib-flush-drain.js
@@ -37,12 +37,12 @@ deflater.on('drain', function() {
 });
 
 process.once('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(beforeFlush, true,
-               'before calling flush, writable stream should need to drain');
-  assert.equal(afterFlush, false,
-               'after calling flush, writable stream should not need to drain');
-  assert.equal(drainCount, 1,
-               'the deflater should have emitted a single drain event');
-  assert.equal(flushCount, 2,
-               'flush should be called twice');
+  assert.strictEqual(beforeFlush, true, 'before calling flush, writable ' +
+                     'stream should need to drain');
+  assert.strictEqual(afterFlush, false, 'after calling flush, writable ' +
+                     'stream should not need to drain');
+  assert.strictEqual(drainCount, 1,
+                     'the deflater should have emitted a single drain event');
+  assert.strictEqual(flushCount, 2,
+                     'flush should be called twice');
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-zlib-from-concatenated-gzip.js b/test/parallel/test-zlib-from-concatenated-gzip.js
index 998a086eb7..f59b679635 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-zlib-from-concatenated-gzip.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-zlib-from-concatenated-gzip.js
@@ -15,16 +15,18 @@ const data = Buffer.concat([
   defEncoded
 ]);
 
-assert.equal(zlib.gunzipSync(data).toString(), 'abcdef');
+assert.strictEqual(zlib.gunzipSync(data).toString(), 'abcdef');
 
 zlib.gunzip(data, common.mustCall((err, result) => {
   assert.ifError(err);
-  assert.equal(result, 'abcdef', 'result should match original string');
+  assert.strictEqual(result.toString(), 'abcdef',
+                     'result should match original string');
 }));
 
 zlib.unzip(data, common.mustCall((err, result) => {
   assert.ifError(err);
-  assert.equal(result, 'abcdef', 'result should match original string');
+  assert.strictEqual(result.toString(), 'abcdef',
+                     'result should match original string');
 }));
 
 // Multi-member support does not apply to zlib inflate/deflate.
@@ -33,7 +35,8 @@ zlib.unzip(Buffer.concat([
   zlib.deflateSync('def')
 ]), common.mustCall((err, result) => {
   assert.ifError(err);
-  assert.equal(result, 'abc', 'result should match contents of first "member"');
+  assert.strictEqual(result.toString(), 'abc',
+                     'result should match contents of first "member"');
 }));
 
 // files that have the "right" magic bytes for starting a new gzip member
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-zlib-from-gzip.js b/test/parallel/test-zlib-from-gzip.js
index 3c7e96cef9..ac01fc03d1 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-zlib-from-gzip.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-zlib-from-gzip.js
@@ -23,8 +23,8 @@ const out = fs.createWriteStream(outputFile);
 inp.pipe(gunzip).pipe(out);
 out.on('close', function() {
   const actual = fs.readFileSync(outputFile);
-  assert.equal(actual.length, expect.length, 'length should match');
+  assert.strictEqual(actual.length, expect.length, 'length should match');
   for (let i = 0, l = actual.length; i < l; i++) {
-    assert.equal(actual[i], expect[i], 'byte[' + i + ']');
+    assert.strictEqual(actual[i], expect[i], 'byte[' + i + ']');
   }
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-zlib-from-string.js b/test/parallel/test-zlib-from-string.js
index 0f885ac80e..ab2f7d023d 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-zlib-from-string.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-zlib-from-string.js
@@ -34,8 +34,8 @@ const expectedBase64Gzip = 'H4sIAAAAAAAAA11RS05DMQy8yhzg6d2BPSAkJPZu4laWkjiN4' +
                            'sHnHNzRtagj5AQAA';
 
 zlib.deflate(inputString, function(err, buffer) {
-  assert.equal(buffer.toString('base64'), expectedBase64Deflate,
-               'deflate encoded string should match');
+  assert.strictEqual(buffer.toString('base64'), expectedBase64Deflate,
+                     'deflate encoded string should match');
 });
 
 zlib.gzip(inputString, function(err, buffer) {
@@ -46,19 +46,19 @@ zlib.gzip(inputString, function(err, buffer) {
   // result that we're expecting, and this should match what we get
   // from inflating the known valid deflate data.
   zlib.gunzip(buffer, function(err, gunzipped) {
-    assert.equal(gunzipped.toString(), inputString,
-                 'Should get original string after gzip/gunzip');
+    assert.strictEqual(gunzipped.toString(), inputString,
+                       'Should get original string after gzip/gunzip');
   });
 });
 
 let buffer = Buffer.from(expectedBase64Deflate, 'base64');
 zlib.unzip(buffer, function(err, buffer) {
-  assert.equal(buffer.toString(), inputString,
-               'decoded inflated string should match');
+  assert.strictEqual(buffer.toString(), inputString,
+                     'decoded inflated string should match');
 });
 
 buffer = Buffer.from(expectedBase64Gzip, 'base64');
 zlib.unzip(buffer, function(err, buffer) {
-  assert.equal(buffer.toString(), inputString,
-               'decoded gunzipped string should match');
+  assert.strictEqual(buffer.toString(), inputString,
+                     'decoded gunzipped string should match');
 });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-zlib-random-byte-pipes.js b/test/parallel/test-zlib-random-byte-pipes.js
index 83855ebd1f..d4cd4319f9 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-zlib-random-byte-pipes.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-zlib-random-byte-pipes.js
@@ -154,5 +154,5 @@ out.on('data', function(c) {
 
 out.on('data', common.mustCall(function(c) {
   console.error('hash=%s', c);
-  assert.equal(c, inp._hash, 'hashes should match');
+  assert.strictEqual(c, inp._hash, 'hashes should match');
 }));
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-zlib-write-after-flush.js b/test/parallel/test-zlib-write-after-flush.js
index 342c9143ba..e0e9622182 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-zlib-write-after-flush.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-zlib-write-after-flush.js
@@ -16,10 +16,10 @@ gunz.on('data', function(c) {
 });
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(output, input);
+  assert.strictEqual(output, input);
 
   // Make sure that the flush flag was set back to normal
-  assert.equal(gzip._flushFlag, zlib.constants.Z_NO_FLUSH);
+  assert.strictEqual(gzip._flushFlag, zlib.constants.Z_NO_FLUSH);
 
   console.log('ok');
 });
diff --git a/test/pummel/test-crypto-dh.js b/test/pummel/test-crypto-dh.js
index d441e80926..64c2800f16 100644
--- a/test/pummel/test-crypto-dh.js
+++ b/test/pummel/test-crypto-dh.js
@@ -35,8 +35,8 @@ for (const name in hashes) {
   const hash1 = hashes[name];
   const hash2 = crypto.createHash('sha1')
                     .update(private_key.toUpperCase()).digest('hex');
-  assert.equal(hash1, hash2);
-  assert.equal(group.getGenerator('hex'), '02');
+  assert.strictEqual(hash1, hash2);
+  assert.strictEqual(group.getGenerator('hex'), '02');
 }
 
 for (const name in hashes) {
diff --git a/test/pummel/test-dtrace-jsstack.js b/test/pummel/test-dtrace-jsstack.js
index d1615a3855..6c8423c2c9 100644
--- a/test/pummel/test-dtrace-jsstack.js
+++ b/test/pummel/test-dtrace-jsstack.js
@@ -71,11 +71,12 @@ dtrace.on('exit', function(code) {
     const frame = line.substr(line.indexOf(sentinel) + sentinel.length);
     const top = frames.shift();
 
-    assert.equal(frame.indexOf(top), 0, 'unexpected frame where ' +
+    assert.strictEqual(frame.indexOf(top), 0, 'unexpected frame where ' +
       top + ' was expected');
   }
 
-  assert.equal(frames.length, 0, 'did not find expected frame ' + frames[0]);
+  assert.strictEqual(frames.length, 0,
+                     'did not find expected frame ' + frames[0]);
   process.exit(0);
 });
 
diff --git a/test/pummel/test-fs-watch-file-slow.js b/test/pummel/test-fs-watch-file-slow.js
index 78c36152ec..1e9b5eb1f2 100644
--- a/test/pummel/test-fs-watch-file-slow.js
+++ b/test/pummel/test-fs-watch-file-slow.js
@@ -19,14 +19,14 @@ fs.watchFile(FILENAME, {interval: TIMEOUT - 250}, function(curr, prev) {
   console.log([curr, prev]);
   switch (++nevents) {
     case 1:
-      assert.equal(common.fileExists(FILENAME), false);
+      assert.strictEqual(common.fileExists(FILENAME), false);
       break;
     case 2:
     case 3:
-      assert.equal(common.fileExists(FILENAME), true);
+      assert.strictEqual(common.fileExists(FILENAME), true);
       break;
     case 4:
-      assert.equal(common.fileExists(FILENAME), false);
+      assert.strictEqual(common.fileExists(FILENAME), false);
       fs.unwatchFile(FILENAME);
       break;
     default:
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ fs.watchFile(FILENAME, {interval: TIMEOUT - 250}, function(curr, prev) {
 });
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(nevents, 4);
+  assert.strictEqual(nevents, 4);
 });
 
 setTimeout(createFile, TIMEOUT);
diff --git a/test/pummel/test-fs-watch-file.js b/test/pummel/test-fs-watch-file.js
index 1f5441f691..2166a70aac 100644
--- a/test/pummel/test-fs-watch-file.js
+++ b/test/pummel/test-fs-watch-file.js
@@ -27,10 +27,10 @@ process.on('exit', function() {
   fs.unlinkSync(filepathTwoAbs);
   fs.unlinkSync(filenameThree);
   fs.unlinkSync(filenameFour);
-  assert.equal(1, watchSeenOne);
-  assert.equal(2, watchSeenTwo);
-  assert.equal(1, watchSeenThree);
-  assert.equal(1, watchSeenFour);
+  assert.strictEqual(1, watchSeenOne);
+  assert.strictEqual(2, watchSeenTwo);
+  assert.strictEqual(1, watchSeenThree);
+  assert.strictEqual(1, watchSeenFour);
 });
 
 
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ assert.doesNotThrow(
     function() {
       function a(curr, prev) {
         ++watchSeenFour;
-        assert.equal(1, watchSeenFour);
+        assert.strictEqual(1, watchSeenFour);
         fs.unwatchFile('.' + path.sep + filenameFour, a);
       }
       fs.watchFile(filenameFour, a);
diff --git a/test/pummel/test-http-many-keep-alive-connections.js b/test/pummel/test-http-many-keep-alive-connections.js
index e465c02a90..ee616e1d91 100644
--- a/test/pummel/test-http-many-keep-alive-connections.js
+++ b/test/pummel/test-http-many-keep-alive-connections.js
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ let connection;
 
 const server = http.Server(function(req, res) {
   requests++;
-  assert.equal(req.connection, connection);
+  assert.strictEqual(req.connection, connection);
   res.writeHead(200);
   res.end('hello world\n');
 });
@@ -43,6 +43,6 @@ server.listen(common.PORT, function connect() {
 });
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(expected, responses);
-  assert.equal(expected, requests);
+  assert.strictEqual(expected, responses);
+  assert.strictEqual(expected, requests);
 });
diff --git a/test/pummel/test-https-ci-reneg-attack.js b/test/pummel/test-https-ci-reneg-attack.js
index 850e0949c4..6113ee54ce 100644
--- a/test/pummel/test-https-ci-reneg-attack.js
+++ b/test/pummel/test-https-ci-reneg-attack.js
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ function test(next) {
     });
 
     child.on('exit', function() {
-      assert.equal(renegs, tls.CLIENT_RENEG_LIMIT + 1);
+      assert.strictEqual(renegs, tls.CLIENT_RENEG_LIMIT + 1);
       server.close();
       process.nextTick(next);
     });
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ function test(next) {
         case 'EPIPE':
           break;
         default:
-          assert.equal(err.code, 'ECONNRESET');
+          assert.strictEqual(err.code, 'ECONNRESET');
           break;
       }
       closed = true;
diff --git a/test/pummel/test-net-connect-econnrefused.js b/test/pummel/test-net-connect-econnrefused.js
index 30da36d983..4ac55da405 100644
--- a/test/pummel/test-net-connect-econnrefused.js
+++ b/test/pummel/test-net-connect-econnrefused.js
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ function pummel() {
   let pending;
   for (pending = 0; pending < ATTEMPTS_PER_ROUND; pending++) {
     net.createConnection(common.PORT).on('error', function(err) {
-      assert.equal(err.code, 'ECONNREFUSED');
+      assert.strictEqual(err.code, 'ECONNREFUSED');
       if (--pending > 0) return;
       if (rounds === ROUNDS) return check();
       rounds++;
@@ -30,15 +30,15 @@ function pummel() {
 
 function check() {
   setTimeout(function() {
-    assert.equal(process._getActiveRequests().length, 0);
-    assert.equal(process._getActiveHandles().length, 1); // the timer
+    assert.strictEqual(process._getActiveRequests().length, 0);
+    assert.strictEqual(process._getActiveHandles().length, 1); // the timer
     check_called = true;
   }, 0);
 }
 let check_called = false;
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(rounds, ROUNDS);
-  assert.equal(reqs, ROUNDS * ATTEMPTS_PER_ROUND);
+  assert.strictEqual(rounds, ROUNDS);
+  assert.strictEqual(reqs, ROUNDS * ATTEMPTS_PER_ROUND);
   assert(check_called);
 });
diff --git a/test/pummel/test-net-many-clients.js b/test/pummel/test-net-many-clients.js
index a92ae033a0..fdcdf1198f 100644
--- a/test/pummel/test-net-many-clients.js
+++ b/test/pummel/test-net-many-clients.js
@@ -49,8 +49,8 @@ function runClient(callback) {
 
   client.on('close', function(had_error) {
     console.log('.');
-    assert.equal(false, had_error);
-    assert.equal(bytes, client.recved.length);
+    assert.strictEqual(false, had_error);
+    assert.strictEqual(bytes, client.recved.length);
 
     if (client.fd) {
       console.log(client.fd);
@@ -75,6 +75,6 @@ server.listen(common.PORT, function() {
 });
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(connections_per_client * concurrency, total_connections);
+  assert.strictEqual(connections_per_client * concurrency, total_connections);
   console.log('\nokay!');
 });
diff --git a/test/pummel/test-net-pause.js b/test/pummel/test-net-pause.js
index db426edbe9..6a701d5686 100644
--- a/test/pummel/test-net-pause.js
+++ b/test/pummel/test-net-pause.js
@@ -31,11 +31,11 @@ server.on('listening', function() {
   setTimeout(function() {
     chars_recved = recv.length;
     console.log('pause at: ' + chars_recved);
-    assert.equal(true, chars_recved > 1);
+    assert.strictEqual(true, chars_recved > 1);
     client.pause();
     setTimeout(function() {
       console.log('resume at: ' + chars_recved);
-      assert.equal(chars_recved, recv.length);
+      assert.strictEqual(chars_recved, recv.length);
       client.resume();
 
       setTimeout(function() {
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ server.on('listening', function() {
 
         setTimeout(function() {
           console.log('resume at: ' + chars_recved);
-          assert.equal(chars_recved, recv.length);
+          assert.strictEqual(chars_recved, recv.length);
           client.resume();
 
         }, 500);
@@ -64,6 +64,6 @@ server.on('listening', function() {
 server.listen(common.PORT);
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(N, recv.length);
+  assert.strictEqual(N, recv.length);
   console.error('Exit');
 });
diff --git a/test/pummel/test-net-pingpong-delay.js b/test/pummel/test-net-pingpong-delay.js
index 9a598435d1..2236ba83a8 100644
--- a/test/pummel/test-net-pingpong-delay.js
+++ b/test/pummel/test-net-pingpong-delay.js
@@ -14,30 +14,30 @@ function pingPongTest(port, host, on_complete) {
 
     socket.on('data', function(data) {
       console.log(data);
-      assert.equal('PING', data);
-      assert.equal('open', socket.readyState);
-      assert.equal(true, count <= N);
+      assert.strictEqual('PING', data);
+      assert.strictEqual('open', socket.readyState);
+      assert.strictEqual(true, count <= N);
       setTimeout(function() {
-        assert.equal('open', socket.readyState);
+        assert.strictEqual('open', socket.readyState);
         socket.write('PONG');
       }, DELAY);
     });
 
     socket.on('timeout', function() {
       console.error('server-side timeout!!');
-      assert.equal(false, true);
+      assert.strictEqual(false, true);
     });
 
     socket.on('end', function() {
       console.log('server-side socket EOF');
-      assert.equal('writeOnly', socket.readyState);
+      assert.strictEqual('writeOnly', socket.readyState);
       socket.end();
     });
 
     socket.on('close', function(had_error) {
       console.log('server-side socket.end');
-      assert.equal(false, had_error);
-      assert.equal('closed', socket.readyState);
+      assert.strictEqual(false, had_error);
+      assert.strictEqual('closed', socket.readyState);
       socket.server.close();
     });
   });
@@ -48,17 +48,17 @@ function pingPongTest(port, host, on_complete) {
     client.setEncoding('utf8');
 
     client.on('connect', function() {
-      assert.equal('open', client.readyState);
+      assert.strictEqual('open', client.readyState);
       client.write('PING');
     });
 
     client.on('data', function(data) {
       console.log(data);
-      assert.equal('PONG', data);
-      assert.equal('open', client.readyState);
+      assert.strictEqual('PONG', data);
+      assert.strictEqual('open', client.readyState);
 
       setTimeout(function() {
-        assert.equal('open', client.readyState);
+        assert.strictEqual('open', client.readyState);
         if (count++ < N) {
           client.write('PING');
         } else {
@@ -71,12 +71,12 @@ function pingPongTest(port, host, on_complete) {
 
     client.on('timeout', function() {
       console.error('client-side timeout!!');
-      assert.equal(false, true);
+      assert.strictEqual(false, true);
     });
 
     client.on('close', common.mustCall(function() {
       console.log('client.end');
-      assert.equal(N + 1, count);
+      assert.strictEqual(N + 1, count);
       assert.ok(client_ended);
       if (on_complete) on_complete();
     }));
diff --git a/test/pummel/test-net-pingpong.js b/test/pummel/test-net-pingpong.js
index 6ede6f9fcb..5e09502857 100644
--- a/test/pummel/test-net-pingpong.js
+++ b/test/pummel/test-net-pingpong.js
@@ -11,16 +11,16 @@ function pingPongTest(port, host, on_complete) {
   let sent_final_ping = false;
 
   const server = net.createServer({ allowHalfOpen: true }, function(socket) {
-    assert.equal(true, socket.remoteAddress !== null);
-    assert.equal(true, socket.remoteAddress !== undefined);
+    assert.strictEqual(true, socket.remoteAddress !== null);
+    assert.strictEqual(true, socket.remoteAddress !== undefined);
     const address = socket.remoteAddress;
     if (host === '127.0.0.1') {
-      assert.equal(address, '127.0.0.1');
+      assert.strictEqual(address, '127.0.0.1');
     } else if (host == null || host === 'localhost') {
       assert(address === '127.0.0.1' || address === '::ffff:127.0.0.1');
     } else {
       console.log('host = ' + host + ', remoteAddress = ' + address);
-      assert.equal(address, '::1');
+      assert.strictEqual(address, '::1');
     }
 
     socket.setEncoding('utf8');
@@ -29,21 +29,21 @@ function pingPongTest(port, host, on_complete) {
 
     socket.on('data', function(data) {
       console.log('server got: ' + JSON.stringify(data));
-      assert.equal('open', socket.readyState);
-      assert.equal(true, count <= N);
+      assert.strictEqual('open', socket.readyState);
+      assert.strictEqual(true, count <= N);
       if (/PING/.exec(data)) {
         socket.write('PONG');
       }
     });
 
     socket.on('end', function() {
-      assert.equal('writeOnly', socket.readyState);
+      assert.strictEqual('writeOnly', socket.readyState);
       socket.end();
     });
 
     socket.on('close', function(had_error) {
-      assert.equal(false, had_error);
-      assert.equal('closed', socket.readyState);
+      assert.strictEqual(false, had_error);
+      assert.strictEqual('closed', socket.readyState);
       socket.server.close();
     });
   });
@@ -54,21 +54,21 @@ function pingPongTest(port, host, on_complete) {
     client.setEncoding('utf8');
 
     client.on('connect', function() {
-      assert.equal('open', client.readyState);
+      assert.strictEqual('open', client.readyState);
       client.write('PING');
     });
 
     client.on('data', function(data) {
       console.log('client got: ' + data);
 
-      assert.equal('PONG', data);
+      assert.strictEqual('PONG', data);
       count += 1;
 
       if (sent_final_ping) {
-        assert.equal('readOnly', client.readyState);
+        assert.strictEqual('readOnly', client.readyState);
         return;
       } else {
-        assert.equal('open', client.readyState);
+        assert.strictEqual('open', client.readyState);
       }
 
       if (count < N) {
@@ -81,8 +81,8 @@ function pingPongTest(port, host, on_complete) {
     });
 
     client.on('close', function() {
-      assert.equal(N + 1, count);
-      assert.equal(true, sent_final_ping);
+      assert.strictEqual(N + 1, count);
+      assert.strictEqual(true, sent_final_ping);
       if (on_complete) on_complete();
       tests_run += 1;
     });
@@ -97,5 +97,5 @@ pingPongTest(common.PORT + 1, null);
 if (!common.isSunOS) pingPongTest(common.PORT + 2, '::1');
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(common.isSunOS ? 2 : 3, tests_run);
+  assert.strictEqual(common.isSunOS ? 2 : 3, tests_run);
 });
diff --git a/test/pummel/test-net-throttle.js b/test/pummel/test-net-throttle.js
index 23f05f4d5e..c222d0bb17 100644
--- a/test/pummel/test-net-throttle.js
+++ b/test/pummel/test-net-throttle.js
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ console.log('start server on port ' + common.PORT);
 const server = net.createServer(function(connection) {
   connection.write(body.slice(0, part_N));
   connection.write(body.slice(part_N, 2 * part_N));
-  assert.equal(false, connection.write(body.slice(2 * part_N, N)));
+  assert.strictEqual(false, connection.write(body.slice(2 * part_N, N)));
   console.log('bufferSize: ' + connection.bufferSize, 'expecting', N);
   assert.ok(0 <= connection.bufferSize &&
             connection._writableState.length <= N);
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ server.listen(common.PORT, function() {
       console.log('pause');
       const x = chars_recved;
       setTimeout(function() {
-        assert.equal(chars_recved, x);
+        assert.strictEqual(chars_recved, x);
         client.resume();
         console.log('resume');
         paused = false;
@@ -53,6 +53,6 @@ server.listen(common.PORT, function() {
 
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(N, chars_recved);
-  assert.equal(true, npauses > 2);
+  assert.strictEqual(N, chars_recved);
+  assert.strictEqual(true, npauses > 2);
 });
diff --git a/test/pummel/test-net-timeout.js b/test/pummel/test-net-timeout.js
index d6dd8e489c..faec443a00 100644
--- a/test/pummel/test-net-timeout.js
+++ b/test/pummel/test-net-timeout.js
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ echo_server.listen(common.PORT, function() {
   });
 
   client.on('data', function(chunk) {
-    assert.equal('hello\r\n', chunk);
+    assert.strictEqual('hello\r\n', chunk);
     if (exchanges++ < 5) {
       setTimeout(function() {
         console.log('client write "hello"');
diff --git a/test/pummel/test-net-write-callbacks.js b/test/pummel/test-net-write-callbacks.js
index 6c3c1f202a..b29ae6ef80 100644
--- a/test/pummel/test-net-write-callbacks.js
+++ b/test/pummel/test-net-write-callbacks.js
@@ -45,5 +45,5 @@ server.listen(common.PORT, function() {
 });
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(N, cbcount);
+  assert.strictEqual(N, cbcount);
 });
diff --git a/test/pummel/test-regress-GH-892.js b/test/pummel/test-regress-GH-892.js
index 0619fd84de..3ec44dfa12 100644
--- a/test/pummel/test-regress-GH-892.js
+++ b/test/pummel/test-regress-GH-892.js
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ function makeRequest() {
 
   child.on('exit', function(code) {
     assert.ok(/DONE/.test(stderrBuffer));
-    assert.equal(0, code);
+    assert.strictEqual(0, code);
   });
 
   // The following two lines forward the stdio from the child
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ const server = https.Server(serverOptions, function(req, res) {
   });
 
   req.on('end', function() {
-    assert.equal(bytesExpected, uploadCount);
+    assert.strictEqual(bytesExpected, uploadCount);
     res.writeHead(200, {'content-type': 'text/plain'});
     res.end('successful upload\n');
   });
@@ -91,5 +91,5 @@ server.listen(common.PORT, function() {
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
   console.error('got %d bytes', uploadCount);
-  assert.equal(uploadCount, bytesExpected);
+  assert.strictEqual(uploadCount, bytesExpected);
 });
diff --git a/test/pummel/test-stream-pipe-multi.js b/test/pummel/test-stream-pipe-multi.js
index e1e5e01102..478b61c822 100644
--- a/test/pummel/test-stream-pipe-multi.js
+++ b/test/pummel/test-stream-pipe-multi.js
@@ -45,8 +45,8 @@ FakeStream.prototype.close = function() {
 
 // expect all streams to close properly.
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(cnt, wclosed, 'writable streams closed');
-  assert.equal(cnt, rclosed, 'readable streams closed');
+  assert.strictEqual(cnt, wclosed, 'writable streams closed');
+  assert.strictEqual(cnt, rclosed, 'readable streams closed');
 });
 
 for (let i = 0; i < chunkSize; i++) {
diff --git a/test/pummel/test-stream2-basic.js b/test/pummel/test-stream2-basic.js
index 073c1d8e35..0e2bf3e8e3 100644
--- a/test/pummel/test-stream2-basic.js
+++ b/test/pummel/test-stream2-basic.js
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ function run() {
   fn({
     same: assert.deepStrictEqual,
     ok: assert,
-    equal: assert.equal,
+    equal: assert.strictEqual,
     end: function() {
       count--;
       run();
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ function run() {
 
 // ensure all tests have run
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(count, 0);
+  assert.strictEqual(count, 0);
 });
 
 process.nextTick(run);
@@ -314,7 +314,7 @@ test('back pressure respected', function(t) {
   const w1 = new R();
   w1.write = function(chunk) {
     console.error('w1.emit("close")');
-    assert.equal(chunk[0], 'one');
+    assert.strictEqual(chunk[0], 'one');
     w1.emit('close');
     process.nextTick(function() {
       r.pipe(w2);
@@ -330,8 +330,8 @@ test('back pressure respected', function(t) {
   const w2 = new R();
   w2.write = function(chunk) {
     console.error('w2 write', chunk, counter);
-    assert.equal(chunk[0], expected.shift());
-    assert.equal(counter, 0);
+    assert.strictEqual(chunk[0], expected.shift());
+    assert.strictEqual(counter, 0);
 
     counter++;
 
@@ -352,8 +352,8 @@ test('back pressure respected', function(t) {
   const w3 = new R();
   w3.write = function(chunk) {
     console.error('w3 write', chunk, counter);
-    assert.equal(chunk[0], expected.shift());
-    assert.equal(counter, 1);
+    assert.strictEqual(chunk[0], expected.shift());
+    assert.strictEqual(counter, 1);
 
     counter++;
 
@@ -370,8 +370,8 @@ test('back pressure respected', function(t) {
     return false;
   };
   w3.end = function() {
-    assert.equal(counter, 2);
-    assert.equal(expected.length, 0);
+    assert.strictEqual(counter, 2);
+    assert.strictEqual(expected.length, 0);
     t.end();
   };
 });
@@ -387,19 +387,19 @@ test('read(0) for ended streams', function(t) {
 
   const v = r.read(0);
 
-  assert.equal(v, null);
+  assert.strictEqual(v, null);
 
   const w = new R();
 
   w.write = function(buffer) {
     written = true;
-    assert.equal(ended, false);
-    assert.equal(buffer.toString(), 'foo');
+    assert.strictEqual(ended, false);
+    assert.strictEqual(buffer.toString(), 'foo');
   };
 
   w.end = function() {
     ended = true;
-    assert.equal(written, true);
+    assert.strictEqual(written, true);
     t.end();
   };
 
@@ -420,7 +420,7 @@ test('sync _read ending', function(t) {
   r.read();
 
   process.nextTick(function() {
-    assert.equal(called, true);
+    assert.strictEqual(called, true);
     t.end();
   });
 });
diff --git a/test/pummel/test-timers.js b/test/pummel/test-timers.js
index 4555582371..600b7ce35b 100644
--- a/test/pummel/test-timers.js
+++ b/test/pummel/test-timers.js
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ let interval_count = 0;
 clearTimeout(null);
 clearInterval(null);
 
-assert.equal(true, setTimeout instanceof Function);
+assert.strictEqual(true, setTimeout instanceof Function);
 const starttime = new Date();
 setTimeout(common.mustCall(function() {
   const endtime = new Date();
@@ -19,11 +19,11 @@ setTimeout(common.mustCall(function() {
   assert.ok(diff > 0);
   console.error('diff: ' + diff);
 
-  assert.equal(true, 1000 - WINDOW < diff && diff < 1000 + WINDOW);
+  assert.strictEqual(true, 1000 - WINDOW < diff && diff < 1000 + WINDOW);
 }), 1000);
 
 // this timer shouldn't execute
-const id = setTimeout(function() { assert.equal(true, false); }, 500);
+const id = setTimeout(function() { assert.strictEqual(true, false); }, 500);
 clearTimeout(id);
 
 setInterval(function() {
@@ -36,9 +36,9 @@ setInterval(function() {
 
   const t = interval_count * 1000;
 
-  assert.equal(true, t - WINDOW < diff && diff < t + WINDOW);
+  assert.strictEqual(true, t - WINDOW < diff && diff < t + WINDOW);
 
-  assert.equal(true, interval_count <= 3);
+  assert.strictEqual(true, interval_count <= 3);
   if (interval_count === 3)
     clearInterval(this);
 }, 1000);
@@ -46,13 +46,13 @@ setInterval(function() {
 
 // Single param:
 setTimeout(function(param) {
-  assert.equal('test param', param);
+  assert.strictEqual('test param', param);
 }, 1000, 'test param');
 
 let interval_count2 = 0;
 setInterval(function(param) {
   ++interval_count2;
-  assert.equal('test param', param);
+  assert.strictEqual('test param', param);
 
   if (interval_count2 === 3)
     clearInterval(this);
@@ -61,15 +61,15 @@ setInterval(function(param) {
 
 // Multiple param
 setTimeout(function(param1, param2) {
-  assert.equal('param1', param1);
-  assert.equal('param2', param2);
+  assert.strictEqual('param1', param1);
+  assert.strictEqual('param2', param2);
 }, 1000, 'param1', 'param2');
 
 let interval_count3 = 0;
 setInterval(function(param1, param2) {
   ++interval_count3;
-  assert.equal('param1', param1);
-  assert.equal('param2', param2);
+  assert.strictEqual('param1', param1);
+  assert.strictEqual('param2', param2);
 
   if (interval_count3 === 3)
     clearInterval(this);
@@ -99,7 +99,8 @@ clearTimeout(y);
 
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(3, interval_count);
-  assert.equal(11, count4);
-  assert.equal(0, expectedTimeouts, 'clearTimeout cleared too many timeouts');
+  assert.strictEqual(3, interval_count);
+  assert.strictEqual(11, count4);
+  assert.strictEqual(0, expectedTimeouts,
+                     'clearTimeout cleared too many timeouts');
 });
diff --git a/test/pummel/test-tls-ci-reneg-attack.js b/test/pummel/test-tls-ci-reneg-attack.js
index dd2b43ed60..9c2d3da5c3 100644
--- a/test/pummel/test-tls-ci-reneg-attack.js
+++ b/test/pummel/test-tls-ci-reneg-attack.js
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ function test(next) {
     });
 
     child.on('exit', function() {
-      assert.equal(renegs, tls.CLIENT_RENEG_LIMIT + 1);
+      assert.strictEqual(renegs, tls.CLIENT_RENEG_LIMIT + 1);
       server.close();
       process.nextTick(next);
     });
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ function test(next) {
         case 'EPIPE':
           break;
         default:
-          assert.equal(err.code, 'ECONNRESET');
+          assert.strictEqual(err.code, 'ECONNRESET');
           break;
       }
       closed = true;
diff --git a/test/pummel/test-tls-securepair-client.js b/test/pummel/test-tls-securepair-client.js
index 75e7b40059..cd9299cb79 100644
--- a/test/pummel/test-tls-securepair-client.js
+++ b/test/pummel/test-tls-securepair-client.js
@@ -31,9 +31,10 @@ function test1() {
 function test2() {
   function check(pair) {
     // "TLS Web Client Authentication"
-    assert.equal(pair.cleartext.getPeerCertificate().ext_key_usage.length, 1);
-    assert.equal(pair.cleartext.getPeerCertificate().ext_key_usage[0],
-                 '1.3.6.1.5.5.7.3.2');
+    assert.strictEqual(pair.cleartext.getPeerCertificate().ext_key_usage.length,
+                       1);
+    assert.strictEqual(pair.cleartext.getPeerCertificate().ext_key_usage[0],
+                       '1.3.6.1.5.5.7.3.2');
   }
   test('keys/agent4-key.pem', 'keys/agent4-cert.pem', check);
 }
@@ -158,8 +159,8 @@ function test(keyfn, certfn, check, next) {
 
 
   process.on('exit', function() {
-    assert.equal(0, serverExitCode);
-    assert.equal('WAIT-SERVER-CLOSE', state);
+    assert.strictEqual(0, serverExitCode);
+    assert.strictEqual('WAIT-SERVER-CLOSE', state);
     assert.ok(gotWriteCallback);
   });
 }
diff --git a/test/pummel/test-tls-server-large-request.js b/test/pummel/test-tls-server-large-request.js
index f02eb51a2f..41393120fc 100644
--- a/test/pummel/test-tls-server-large-request.js
+++ b/test/pummel/test-tls-server-large-request.js
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ Mediator.prototype._write = function _write(data, enc, cb) {
   setTimeout(cb, 0);
 
   if (this.buf.length >= request.length) {
-    assert.equal(this.buf, request.toString());
+    assert.strictEqual(this.buf, request.toString());
     server.close();
   }
 };
diff --git a/test/pummel/test-tls-throttle.js b/test/pummel/test-tls-throttle.js
index 574a83b18f..e427e0bf89 100644
--- a/test/pummel/test-tls-throttle.js
+++ b/test/pummel/test-tls-throttle.js
@@ -63,5 +63,5 @@ const timeout = setTimeout(displayCounts, 10 * 1000);
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
   displayCounts();
-  assert.equal(body.length, recvCount);
+  assert.strictEqual(body.length, recvCount);
 });
diff --git a/test/sequential/test-child-process-fork-getconnections.js b/test/sequential/test-child-process-fork-getconnections.js
index 4d6b1a25ef..355a45913c 100644
--- a/test/sequential/test-child-process-fork-getconnections.js
+++ b/test/sequential/test-child-process-fork-getconnections.js
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ if (process.argv[2] === 'child') {
     }
 
     if (m.cmd === 'close') {
-      assert.equal(socket, undefined);
+      assert.strictEqual(socket, undefined);
       if (sockets[m.id].destroyed) {
         // Workaround for https://github.com/nodejs/node/issues/2610
         sendClosed(m.id);
@@ -92,8 +92,8 @@ if (process.argv[2] === 'child') {
   server.listen(common.PORT, '127.0.0.1');
 
   process.on('exit', function() {
-    assert.equal(sent, count);
-    assert.equal(disconnected, count);
+    assert.strictEqual(sent, count);
+    assert.strictEqual(disconnected, count);
     assert.ok(closeEmitted);
     console.log('ok');
   });
diff --git a/test/sequential/test-deprecation-flags.js b/test/sequential/test-deprecation-flags.js
index eb5c1a3ae6..3bd2e99033 100644
--- a/test/sequential/test-deprecation-flags.js
+++ b/test/sequential/test-deprecation-flags.js
@@ -20,24 +20,24 @@ const traceDep = ['--trace-deprecation', depmod];
 
 execFile(node, normal, function(er, stdout, stderr) {
   console.error('normal: show deprecation warning');
-  assert.equal(er, null);
-  assert.equal(stdout, '');
+  assert.strictEqual(er, null);
+  assert.strictEqual(stdout, '');
   assert(/util\.debug is deprecated/.test(stderr));
   console.log('normal ok');
 });
 
 execFile(node, noDep, function(er, stdout, stderr) {
   console.error('--no-deprecation: silence deprecations');
-  assert.equal(er, null);
-  assert.equal(stdout, '');
-  assert.equal(stderr, 'DEBUG: This is deprecated\n');
+  assert.strictEqual(er, null);
+  assert.strictEqual(stdout, '');
+  assert.strictEqual(stderr, 'DEBUG: This is deprecated\n');
   console.log('silent ok');
 });
 
 execFile(node, traceDep, function(er, stdout, stderr) {
   console.error('--trace-deprecation: show stack');
-  assert.equal(er, null);
-  assert.equal(stdout, '');
+  assert.strictEqual(er, null);
+  assert.strictEqual(stdout, '');
   const stack = stderr.trim().split('\n');
   // just check the top and bottom.
   assert(/util.debug is deprecated. Use console.error instead./.test(stack[1]));
@@ -47,8 +47,8 @@ execFile(node, traceDep, function(er, stdout, stderr) {
 
 execFile(node, [depUserlandFunction], function(er, stdout, stderr) {
   console.error('normal: testing deprecated userland function');
-  assert.equal(er, null);
-  assert.equal(stdout, '');
+  assert.strictEqual(er, null);
+  assert.strictEqual(stdout, '');
   assert(/deprecatedFunction is deprecated/.test(stderr));
   console.error('normal: ok');
 });
diff --git a/test/sequential/test-http-regr-gh-2928.js b/test/sequential/test-http-regr-gh-2928.js
index 190966083e..55e3a93bc9 100644
--- a/test/sequential/test-http-regr-gh-2928.js
+++ b/test/sequential/test-http-regr-gh-2928.js
@@ -59,5 +59,5 @@ const server = net.createServer(function(c) {
 }).listen(common.PORT, execAndClose);
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
-  assert.equal(gotResponses, COUNT);
+  assert.strictEqual(gotResponses, COUNT);
 });
diff --git a/test/sequential/test-process-warnings.js b/test/sequential/test-process-warnings.js
index 1e8b2b13a2..d4894f8bff 100644
--- a/test/sequential/test-process-warnings.js
+++ b/test/sequential/test-process-warnings.js
@@ -12,22 +12,22 @@ const traceWarn = ['--trace-warnings', warnmod];
 
 execFile(node, normal, function(er, stdout, stderr) {
   // Show Process Warnings
-  assert.equal(er, null);
-  assert.equal(stdout, '');
+  assert.strictEqual(er, null);
+  assert.strictEqual(stdout, '');
   assert(/^\(.+\)\sWarning: a bad practice warning/.test(stderr));
 });
 
 execFile(node, noWarn, function(er, stdout, stderr) {
   // Hide Process Warnings
-  assert.equal(er, null);
-  assert.equal(stdout, '');
+  assert.strictEqual(er, null);
+  assert.strictEqual(stdout, '');
   assert(!/^\(.+\)\sWarning: a bad practice warning/.test(stderr));
 });
 
 execFile(node, traceWarn, function(er, stdout, stderr) {
   // Show Warning Trace
-  assert.equal(er, null);
-  assert.equal(stdout, '');
+  assert.strictEqual(er, null);
+  assert.strictEqual(stdout, '');
   assert(/^\(.+\)\sWarning: a bad practice warning/.test(stderr));
   assert(/at Object\.<anonymous>\s\(.+warnings.js:3:9\)/.test(stderr));
 });
diff --git a/test/sequential/test-regress-GH-4027.js b/test/sequential/test-regress-GH-4027.js
index 87a8861ac3..8d9c6bb1ad 100644
--- a/test/sequential/test-regress-GH-4027.js
+++ b/test/sequential/test-regress-GH-4027.js
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ fs.writeFileSync(filename, 'quis custodiet ipsos custodes');
 setTimeout(fs.unlinkSync, 100, filename);
 
 fs.watchFile(filename, { interval: 50 }, common.mustCall(function(curr, prev) {
-  assert.equal(prev.nlink, 1);
-  assert.equal(curr.nlink, 0);
+  assert.strictEqual(prev.nlink, 1);
+  assert.strictEqual(curr.nlink, 0);
   fs.unwatchFile(filename);
 }));
diff --git a/test/sequential/test-regress-GH-784.js b/test/sequential/test-regress-GH-784.js
index c9b630b0c8..0bfa407ec1 100644
--- a/test/sequential/test-regress-GH-784.js
+++ b/test/sequential/test-regress-GH-784.js
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ const server = http.createServer(function(req, res) {
   });
 
   req.on('end', function() {
-    assert.equal('PING', body);
+    assert.strictEqual('PING', body);
     res.writeHead(200);
     res.end('PONG');
   });
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ function ping() {
     });
 
     res.on('end', function() {
-      assert.equal('PONG', body);
+      assert.strictEqual('PONG', body);
       assert.ok(!hadError);
       gotEnd = true;
       afterPing('success');
@@ -128,5 +128,5 @@ process.on('exit', function() {
   console.error("process.on('exit')");
   console.error(responses);
 
-  assert.equal(8, responses.length);
+  assert.strictEqual(8, responses.length);
 });
diff --git a/test/sequential/test-regress-GH-877.js b/test/sequential/test-regress-GH-877.js
index 06c839aa48..1a0d7a48e5 100644
--- a/test/sequential/test-regress-GH-877.js
+++ b/test/sequential/test-regress-GH-877.js
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ server.listen(common.PORT, '127.0.0.1', function() {
       res.resume();
     });
 
-    assert.equal(req.agent, agent);
+    assert.strictEqual(req.agent, agent);
 
     console.log('Socket: ' + agent.sockets[addrString].length + '/' +
                 agent.maxSockets + ' queued: ' + (agent.requests[addrString] ?
diff --git a/test/sequential/test-require-cache-without-stat.js b/test/sequential/test-require-cache-without-stat.js
index b591f1746b..d90bbd2b7b 100644
--- a/test/sequential/test-require-cache-without-stat.js
+++ b/test/sequential/test-require-cache-without-stat.js
@@ -49,4 +49,4 @@ for (let i = 0; i < 100; i++) {
 console.log('counterAfter = %d', counter);
 const counterAfter = counter;
 
-assert.equal(counterBefore, counterAfter);
+assert.strictEqual(counterBefore, counterAfter);
diff --git a/test/sequential/test-stream2-fs.js b/test/sequential/test-stream2-fs.js
index 2891335c81..58a66ef99d 100644
--- a/test/sequential/test-stream2-fs.js
+++ b/test/sequential/test-stream2-fs.js
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ const w = new TestWriter();
 
 w.on('results', function(res) {
   console.error(res, w.length);
-  assert.equal(w.length, size);
+  assert.strictEqual(w.length, size);
   assert.deepStrictEqual(res.map(function(c) {
     return c.length;
   }), expectLengths);
diff --git a/test/sequential/test-stream2-stderr-sync.js b/test/sequential/test-stream2-stderr-sync.js
index e37a5f2cd1..08f35e597c 100644
--- a/test/sequential/test-stream2-stderr-sync.js
+++ b/test/sequential/test-stream2-stderr-sync.js
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ function parent() {
     });
 
     child.on('close', function() {
-      assert.equal(err, 'child ' + c + '\nfoo\nbar\nbaz\n');
+      assert.strictEqual(err, 'child ' + c + '\nfoo\nbar\nbaz\n');
       console.log('ok %d child #%d', ++i, c);
       if (i === children.length)
         console.log('1..' + i);