Introduction
As a rule, the protection of the most popular browsers is based on the installation of extensions and add-ons that the user chooses to his liking.
The “gentleman’s kit” usually includes an ad blocker, a plugin for forcing access to the https protocol, and an extension for disabling tracking scripts. In addition, add-ons with VPN functions are popular, and the Opera browser even includes such a module. However, most manufacturers strive to maintain a balance between privacy and convenience of services, so by default they allow sites to collect information about users and process it themselves. Developers of external plugins also get access to all confidential information and have the opportunity to unfairly “monetize” it. For example, a study by independent expert Sam Jadali at the end of July this year showed that at least 4 million people use applications that steal personal data. In addition, cases of infection of popular extensions have begun to appear more and more often: a verified plugin from the store will not always remain safe, since after its installation the code may be updated and replaced (and not always with the knowledge of the developers).
As a result, if the user does not know about the browser’s additional capabilities for blocking trackers and digital fingerprints, is not informed about vulnerabilities or attack vectors that require additional plugins to protect against them, or simply trusts dubious manufacturers, then ultimately he is left alone with tracking scripts, phishing sites and intrusive advertising.
Avast Secure Browser is the first packaged solution with a pre-installed set of security tools, both familiar to experienced users and innovative.
Avast Secure Browser features
Based on the popular open platform Chromium, the Avast browser is reminiscent of Google Chrome - the same smooth lines, minimalistic design and controls. However, the specialization of the Internet browser is immediately visible: after installation, the user is taken to a page with the Security and Privacy Center tools.
Figure 1. Avast Secure Browser Security and Privacy Center
By default, features such as blocking phishing sites and tracking scripts, controlling payment gateways and webcam access are enabled; There are other security settings as well. It is this functional part that will be interesting to consider in more detail.
The ease of working with video deserves special attention - any video content can be downloaded from any resource. While, for example, YouTube allows you to download your videos only with a paid Premium subscription, using Avast Secure Browser you can save the desired file completely free of charge. It's nice to remember the good old days when videos were simply retrieved from the cache.
Figure 2. Saving videos in Avast Secure Browser
Another important feature of the browser is the lack of synchronization capabilities with browsers on other devices. This popular feature was removed deliberately, since it itself opens up additional vulnerabilities for attackers.
Main advantages of Avast Secure Browser
- Anonymity – thanks to the built-in privacy protection functions, all your activity while surfing the web will be reliably hidden from various trackers (tools and means for collecting information about users);
- Personal data protection – the browser includes all the security features necessary to protect against malware, phishing attacks, and identity theft;
- High speed – speeds up the loading of Internet pages due to automatic blocking of annoying ads and tracking trackers;
- Security & Privacy Center - A set of options and tools to manage your browser's privacy and security capabilities.
Avast Secure Browser Security & Privacy Center
Security Center is a web-based console for managing security settings. The Security Center screen opens immediately after installation, and is subsequently accessible by clicking on the orange Avast icon in the upper right corner of the screen.
In addition to the pre-installed extensions, you can download the free Avast antivirus from the Security Center. If it is already running on the device, then scanning the PC for threats is launched immediately from the console.
Figure 3. Integration of Avast Antivirus into Avast Secure Browser
The “Banking Operations Mode” function is also available only after installing an antivirus. When the mode is activated, an additional browser window opens with an isolated session, while the work of other applications and programs is blocked. This function protects against interception when entering data into payment forms. In the settings, you can specify sites where the transition to secure payment mode will occur automatically.
Figure 4. Secure payment mode window in Avast Secure Browser
The Security Center has several functions that prevent the collection of user information, but it is worth immediately noting that none of them perform VPN functions or hide the IP address.
The “No Identification” function masks unique data about the browser configuration - its version, installed extensions. Hiding a digital fingerprint deprives website owners of the ability to track user actions; Usually this information is needed for targeted advertising. By default, the function is disabled, as it limits the functionality of some online services. It is recommended to enable it when necessary.
Figure 5. No Authentication feature window in Avast Secure Browser
The "No Tracking " feature disables web beacons from analytics services that are used by advertising networks and cybercriminals.
Figure 6. Do Not Track window in Avast Secure Browser
Avast Adblock is the industry-standard uBlock Origin service built into the overall Avast platform. In the interface, you can set up rules and filters to block intrusive advertising.
Figure 7. Avast Adblock feature window in Avast Secure Browser
It is typical that even after turning off Avast Adblock, ad blocks did not appear on some resources.
Figure 8. Web page with Avast Adblock disabled in Avast Secure Browser
The Extension Protection feature blocks the installation of add-ons in the browser. Avast's default extension store offers only its own solutions, but third-party plugins can be installed manually by granting additional permission in the dialog box.
Figure 9. Avast Secure Browser Extension Protection dialog box
The Anti-Phishing feature blocks access to resources included in Avast's library of phishing sites. Recall that at the beginning of 2020, Avast launched an artificial intelligence algorithm to identify unreliable sites by automatically checking them for suspicious markers in metadata and characteristic visual details.
Figure 10. Anti-Phishing feature window in Avast Secure Browser
“HTTPS Encryption function prioritizes access via the appropriate protocol to sites that support it. The browser marks any http protocol as unsecured, showing a red signal in the address bar.
Figure 11. Notification about an unsecured connection in Avast Secure Browser
Enabling Stealth Mode clears cache, download history, cookies, and browser history after your session ends. This is a standard option on many browsers, but Avast Secure Browser adds automatic activation of No Tracking, HTTPS Encryption, and Anti-Phishing modes, even if these features are turned off by default.
Figure 12. Stealth mode in Avast Secure Browser
If the invisibility mode was turned off, the “Delete Personal” . Before running it, you can select the types of data to be deleted - basic (browsing history, cookies and cache) or advanced (saved passwords and autofill) - as well as the time range for cleaning, from the last hour to a month.
Figure 13. “Delete Personal” window in Avast Secure Browser
The application also includes a “Password Manager”; the developers felt that this function could be implemented quite safely, despite the obvious risks. The user has the right to choose a default manager - built into the browser or part of the antivirus, if installed.
Figure 14. Selecting a password manager in Avast Secure Browser
Webcam Defender helps manage permissions for sites to have full or partial access to one or more webcams. Enabling this feature forces sites and apps to request access every time they connect to a video device to avoid hidden surveillance. In additional settings, the user can set exceptions for individual sites.
Figure 15. Setting up webcam security in Avast Secure Browser
The most interesting and unusual feature for browsers, “Hack Check,” was added in the latest versions of the browser. Directly through the Security Center, you can check whether user accounts linked to email have been compromised. The function searches for mentions of a given address in databases available on the shadow Internet, and then shows a list of leaks with the name of the service, date of publication and details of the attack.
Figure 16. Results of leak search for a given email address in Avast Secure Browser
Avast Secure Browser Security & Privacy Center features
Avast Secure Browser is an updated and improved version of the Avast SafeZone browser. In addition to SafeZone features, the Avast browser now includes a Security and Privacy Center.
- Banking mode (this function requires the installation of Avast antivirus) – prevents the interception of passwords entered on the keyboard, bank card data and other confidential data;
- Without identification – hides your browser data (its version, extensions used, etc.);
- AdBlock – ad blocking for fast and safe website browsing. Prevents advertising networks from tracking you;
- Phishing protection – blocks phishing and malicious sites, checking them in real time, in addition, this option allows you to block dangerous downloads;
- No tracking - allows you to completely get rid of web beacons, tracking scripts and other information collection tools that, as a rule, use any sites;
- Stealth mode (Incognito) – prevents the saving of browser history and deletes all tracking cookies and network cache, that is, it blocks any tracking scripts, making it impossible to create a “profile” of the user’s actions on the Internet;
- HTTPS encryption – protects against key substitution attacks and interception of data exchanges between web browsers and sites;
- Password manager – create strong passwords without having to remember them (just remember one master password);
- Extension protection – prevents the installation of untrusted browser extensions. which may include ransomware, malware, tracking of your activities, etc.;
- Personal Removal – a tool for deleting cookies, image cache, download history and other data that accumulates while browsing;
- Flash protection – this option allows you to prevent web content based on Adobe Flash technology (games, videos, animations, etc.) from running in your browser;
- Webcam Protector - allows you to decide whether to grant access to a particular site to the webcam;
- Hack Check – allows you to determine whether your email address has been compromised. That is, using Hack Check, you can find out what the likelihood is that your email password could have become known to attackers.
General settings and system requirements of Avast Secure Browser
The product supports Microsoft Windows 10 / 8.1 / 8 / 7 32-bit or 64-bit operating systems, but the browser itself is only available in 32-bit version. In addition, a beta version for macOS has been developed and tested, and a mobile application for Android is scheduled to be released in the near future.
The Settings section is standard for the Chromium platform, with the exception of some specific functions. In particular, Avast has added a performance management unit.
Figure 17. Performance management settings in Avast Secure Browser
By default, tabs that are not used for 10 minutes go into the background; the user can set his own time period. According to the developer, suspending inactive tabs reduced the amount of CPU and RAM resources used by 50%. However, if the tab simply displays a static HTML page, the difference will be less noticeable.
In addition, Avast offers a wider selection of search engines in the address bar.
Figure 18. List of search engines in Avast Secure Browser settings
Otherwise, the control interface and browser functionality are the same as the mother platform. You can also add that there is a special utility to remove Avast Secure Browser.
