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Other => Beginners & Help => Topic started by: notblox1 on June 07, 2020, 12:59:20 PM



Title: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: notblox1 on June 07, 2020, 12:59:20 PM
Lot's of people are using Brave browser now, and thinking it is privacy based browser.
It is fork of Chrome browser, and people noticed that browser owners have been using their own affiliate links to earn.
They also delete all traces and talks about it on intenret.
It is all posted and explained on this link:
https://davidgerard.co.uk/blockchain/2020/06/06/the-brave-web-browser-is-hijacking-links-and-inserting-affiliate-codes/

Also posted on Twitter by cryptonator1337
https://twitter.com/cryptonator1337/status/1269201480105578496

This is not good for Brave,
but they announced they will fix this in github:
https://github.com/brave/brave-browser/issues/10129

EDIT:
Switch to Braver browser,
community made fork of brave:
github
https://github.com/braver-browser
twitter
https://twitter.com/BraverBrowser
discord:
https://discord.gg/XMAyYA4


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: Jawhead999 on June 07, 2020, 01:31:54 PM
This is really bad for users who using Brave browser, maybe this problems started from here Brave and Binance Partner to Bring Crypto Trading Directly Into the Browser (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5235485.0).

Also on 1 years ago, brave browser is not really "private/anonymous" browser when they ask KYC to verify the wallet for BAT Tokens Brave, the so called "privacy" browser now requires KYC!  (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5170928.0)

I would suggest to use Tor or Mozilla Firefox if you aware about your privacy


Anyway this thread has been discussed before New stupid/greedy move from Brave Browser (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5253764.0)


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: FeiYun2112 on June 07, 2020, 04:34:32 PM
I have friends holding BAT with high expectation. Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes are not good for BAT Holders.


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: OgNasty on June 07, 2020, 05:23:08 PM
What a way to destroy your project for a few bucks...


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: Falconer on June 07, 2020, 05:25:34 PM
Now I am hesitant to say that the brave are worthy of use because so far I have found what should not be done as an application that protects privacy, correcting mistakes does not mean they deserve to be accepted back into the community.


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: TryNinja on June 07, 2020, 07:26:04 PM
That was dumb. I noticed in the replies that there is someone forking Brave to remove all the BAT stuff along with their adware: https://github.com/braver-browser

If you like Brave's browser but dislike their bs, that could be an interesting project to follow.


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: hugeblack on June 07, 2020, 08:06:59 PM
I still use this browser because it provides an excellent shield and the interface is beautiful but I started not to trust a long time ago, I did not expect them to come to this bad level of trying to achieve profits.

I noticed the eToro affiliate, I thought it was paid and it wouldn't go beyond the main screen...


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: guigui371 on June 07, 2020, 09:09:45 PM
Damnit brave, why would you do that ?
I've just tried it on my phone and a search for binance does redirect to the official site without a ref link.
They must have fixed it, or it may not affect all the countries the same.

Anyway, it is disappointing, but not yet big enough to make me change back to safari or chrome.
I like the fact that it is fast, and that most adds are blocked by default.



Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: JeromeTash on June 07, 2020, 09:33:17 PM
What a way to destroy your project for a few bucks...
Greed at its highest level  :-[ Things will never be the same for them. At least not from me. Imagine the whole team of brave project including the advisors sat down and thought hijacking links and adding their affiliate code was the best thing to do  ???

If they can do such a silly thing for a few bucks. Imagine what else they can do to sell off user data for more bucks.



Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: wwzsocki on June 08, 2020, 12:37:41 PM
...I've just tried it on my phone and a search for binance does redirect to the official site without a ref link.
They must have fixed it, or it may not affect all the countries the same...

For sure in my EU country ref links are not working in the Brave browser also, I have just checked with the same Binance ref link and it redirects me to the main page.

I learned about this thanks to this thread and just can't believe it. I think Brave is the first browser I know which doesn't allow ref links?

Insane in my opinion because today almost everybody uses ref links and I am sure that nobody is happy with this news, even if not involved in any affiliate marketing.

Additionally, it is kept secret, as we can see and the Brave team tries to do what possible, to stop the word from spreading, and this will bring more bad advertising and FUD on them.

WTF Brave, no ref links, really???


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: hatshepsut93 on June 08, 2020, 12:56:39 PM
What a way to destroy your project for a few bucks...

It won't destroy Brave, people are using it because they want to earn pennies, so they'll be very unlikely to care about controversies like this as long as they keep getting paid. Brave might fail in the long run if their business model will prove to be unsuccessful, but at this point barely anyone considers it a privacy-oriented browser, as this is not the first time that Brave pulls some shady stuff.


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: NeuroticFish on June 08, 2020, 01:02:25 PM
It won't destroy Brave, people are using it because they want to earn pennies, so they'll be very unlikely to care about controversies like this as long as they keep getting paid.

You are assuming that Brave user base is only made of people who want a few tokens. You are wrong.
I was using it because of its in built adblocker and because I was already used with Chromium.
One of the first things I've switched off was the token advertising part.
Maybe I was rather new there, but I am sure that others had similar reasons.

Of course, I am going for Firefox now.


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: bob123 on June 08, 2020, 01:14:53 PM
You are assuming that Brave user base is only made of people who want a few tokens.

And that's probably the reason the majority is using brave.
There is no other sane reason to use brave instead of e.g. firefox.



I was using it because of its in built adblocker

You chose a browser based on an ability which every other browser has an addon for ?
Does brave also block every javascript until you allow it? There are addons for that as well.


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: sheenshane on June 08, 2020, 01:28:54 PM
Of course, I am going for Firefox now.
We're the same, Firefox is good than other browsers.

Yeah, because Brave browser is chromium base and it should be the same when it comes to security features.

As far as I know that the developer behind on the Brave browser is also the former developer on Mozilla Firefox.
All browser is very crucial to use if you are caring about your privacy you should consider using a good adblocker. Because if you don't, it might your activity might be tracked by third-party advertising networks.

Anyway, thank you for sharing this stuff OP.


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: UserU on June 08, 2020, 03:18:25 PM
Oh crap, and I have been enjoying the ads spammed because of BAT.

Anything tends to start off "good", then greed and corruption come in later and f things up.


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: NeuroticFish on June 08, 2020, 03:29:06 PM
You are assuming that Brave user base is only made of people who want a few tokens.

And that's probably the reason the majority is using brave.
There is no other sane reason to use brave instead of e.g. firefox.

Being advertised even on this forum as a privacy oriented browser... allow me to disagree on this. (at least until this last straw / change)
I tend to believe that it's not only those pennies that were seen as attractive, especially after they started asking for KYC.
(However, now I don't see another alternative than Firefox.)

I was using it because of its in built adblocker

You chose a browser based on an ability which every other browser has an addon for ?
Does brave also block every javascript until you allow it? There are addons for that as well.

I've lost contact with Firefox long before ad blockers were made for Firefox. And it was not the only thing I liked more on Chromium. Even now the rendering (from load up to the look and feel, even for the same fonts) is better on Chromium. And I also tend to believe that an in-built ad blocker should be better, smoother, faster. So yeah, surprisingly.

About javascript, yes it does: https://www.reddit.com/r/brave_browser/comments/9j1rgw/block_scripts/e6onpx6/
And of course, you can make per-website settings too in both directions.


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: Aveatrex on June 08, 2020, 04:32:13 PM
Brave has became a shit project/shit token in my eyes the day they implemented mandatory kyc. Stick to basic ad blocking, disabling javascript(no script extension on chrome and firefox), flash (flash block extension) and if you want to push it you can also disable Flash and HTML5 if you're that paranoid and you're basically using Brave features (probably better) minus the bullshit they do to users like kyc ref links etc..


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: Pmalek on June 08, 2020, 04:46:56 PM
This article shows tweets where the team claims that they have fixed the affiliate links and redirecting issues.
https://www.publish0x.com/everything-cryptocurrency2/brave-browser-is-tracking-you-and-35089877-is-the-proof-upda-xjjodjn?a=joQeZJepZV&tid=htacc

But the author also stated that Brave has some sort of whitelist that allows certain websites to place tracking cookies on a users device. They were not transparent about that either. Does anyone have more information about this incident?

Quote
As if it wasn't bad enough that they were exposed for having a "whitelist" of websites that are allowed to track you that was originally undisclosed, now they have stepped up their game even more by not always bringing you to the website address you typed in.
Source: Already posted, jeez.  ::)


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: aioc on June 08, 2020, 06:32:00 PM
This article shows tweets where the team claims that they have fixed the affiliate links and redirecting issues.
https://www.publish0x.com/everything-cryptocurrency2/brave-browser-is-tracking-you-and-35089877-is-the-proof-upda-xjjodjn?a=joQeZJepZV&tid=htacc

But the author also stated that Brave has some sort of whitelist that allows certain websites to place tracking cookies on a users device. They were not transparent about that either. Does anyone have more information about this incident?

Quote
As if it wasn't bad enough that they were exposed for having a "whitelist" of websites that are allowed to track you that was originally undisclosed, now they have stepped up their game even more by not always bringing you to the website address you typed in.
Source: Already posted, jeez.  ::)

Is this going for a long time and they are now going to rectify it because they are caught, if they are not caught they will not disable, this is intentional not an error, it's strike one for Brave browser, now they know that they are being watched and people are going to watch more and examine their code more often, they have tasted money doing this, I'm sure they will try another but this time they will be more careful.


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: NeuroticFish on June 08, 2020, 06:39:20 PM
This article shows tweets where the team claims that they have fixed the affiliate links and redirecting issues.
https://www.publish0x.com/everything-cryptocurrency2/brave-browser-is-tracking-you-and-35089877-is-the-proof-upda-xjjodjn?a=joQeZJepZV&tid=htacc

But the author also stated that Brave has some sort of whitelist that allows certain websites to place tracking cookies on a users device. They were not transparent about that either.

They've lost the credibility and I tend to believe those "issues" were not added there by mistake. It was just one of the most visible of their actions (after the KYC though). So I'm not surprised they may have other surprises here and there...


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: smyslov on June 08, 2020, 07:05:22 PM
This article shows tweets where the team claims that they have fixed the affiliate links and redirecting issues.
https://www.publish0x.com/everything-cryptocurrency2/brave-browser-is-tracking-you-and-35089877-is-the-proof-upda-xjjodjn?a=joQeZJepZV&tid=htacc

But the author also stated that Brave has some sort of whitelist that allows certain websites to place tracking cookies on a users device. They were not transparent about that either.

They've lost the credibility and I tend to believe those "issues" were not added there by mistake. It was just one of the most visible of their actions (after the KYC though). So I'm not surprised they may have other surprises here and there...


They admit that they are not perfect and they will correct or already corrected it, I will just retain them and give them a chance,I am receiving ads now coming from Brave so let's see but if they intentionally do this again, users will not forgive them and may lead to deletion of their browser, even if they are giving people free bat from their ads.


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: charlie137 on June 08, 2020, 07:32:41 PM
This article shows tweets where the team claims that they have fixed the affiliate links and redirecting issues.
https://www.publish0x.com/everything-cryptocurrency2/brave-browser-is-tracking-you-and-35089877-is-the-proof-upda-xjjodjn?a=joQeZJepZV&tid=htacc

But the author also stated that Brave has some sort of whitelist that allows certain websites to place tracking cookies on a users device. They were not transparent about that either.

They've lost the credibility and I tend to believe those "issues" were not added there by mistake. It was just one of the most visible of their actions (after the KYC though). So I'm not surprised they may have other surprises here and there...


They admit that they are not perfect and they will correct or already corrected it, I will just retain them and give them a chance,I am receiving ads now coming from Brave so let's see but if they intentionally do this again, users will not forgive them and may lead to deletion of their browser, even if they are giving people free bat from their ads.

you mean until they got caught again?
another reason to stick with lynx/safari  ;D >:(


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: Saisher on June 09, 2020, 04:26:50 PM
They will keep doing this I believe I am receiving ads from the brave browser and I received an ads with an affiliate links on it, I don't know if this is also owned by Brave Browser or just an affiliate marketer that pays Brave to post his ads with his referral links on it, but Google on their ads shows affiliate links but I'm sure Google will not refer you with their own affiliate link they are not going to do this.


Quote
https://shop.ledger.com/products/ledger-nano-x?r=xxxxxxxxx


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: stompix on June 09, 2020, 04:53:04 PM
But....it's about privacy....

When they started with ads, it's still better than Google, they don't sell your data.
When they added KYC for that crappy token, it' still better than Google
When they start messing with your links, it's still a bit better than Google

I'm really amazed than on reddit and twitter some people are still trying to defend this pile of the crap brave has become.

They admit that they are not perfect and they will correct or already corrected it, I will just retain them and give them a chance,I am receiving ads now coming from Brave so let's see

So, as long as you're getting paid, you're full of forgiveness as Mother Teresa!


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: Baofeng on June 09, 2020, 09:06:32 PM
Yes, they just updated to the latest (1.9.80) build. But I tested with my current Brave Browser (Version 1.9.72 Chromium: 81.0.4044.138 (Official Build) (64-bit). And it's not just Binance,  ;D

https://i.imgur.com/qV66e7D.png


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: UserU on June 10, 2020, 12:30:02 AM
But....it's about privacy....

When they started with ads, it's still better than Google, they don't sell your data.
When they added KYC for that crappy token, it' still better than Google
When they start messing with your links, it's still a bit better than Google

I'm really amazed than on reddit and twitter some people are still trying to defend this pile of the crap brave has become.

While the KYC is handled by Uphold, another company, they still kept to the same option despite claiming they'd resort to more options in the future.

And that was like years ago.


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: notblox1 on June 10, 2020, 12:47:44 AM
Some developers are creating community built fork called Braver browser.
They will remove all the adware crap including BAT.
Lets see if that will have enough people who use it.
https://twitter.com/BraverBrowser
https://github.com/braver-browser


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: Saisher on June 10, 2020, 02:17:04 AM
Some developers are creating community built fork called Braver browser.
They will remove all the adware crap including BAT.
Lets see if that will have enough people who use it.
https://twitter.com/BraverBrowser
https://github.com/braver-browser

Now they will be threaten this time,but this coming fork has no token involved I wonder how are they going including supporters to make a profit here if there is no token or coins involve I think Brave Browser name is a trademark they should choose a better name for it, they might encounter a legal battle if they continue with the name, I'll wait for more update I'm sure it will be sooner.


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: masulum on June 10, 2020, 05:45:54 AM
- snip -

I'm installed brave browser Version 1.9.80 Chromium: 81.0.4044.138, but it has different results, there is no more affiliate link on the suggestion, but i don't know if someone already opens the web before.

https://i.postimg.cc/9FfdTdzB/image.png

https://i.postimg.cc/QCYWSzVJ/image.png

Maybe they are already making updates to give a response to this issue, also I found a statement from team on a comment from @OP reference page

Affiliate programs are indeed upright; they’re also a key part of many popular applications. As software which costs nothing for the end user, revenues must be found and/or established elsewhere. In Brave’s case, we look for clean revenue, which doesn’t involve exchanging user data or compromising privacy. The Affiliate link approach is one such option. Your feedback regarding clear and explicit disclosure is well received.

- Jon Sampson, Sr Developer Relations


Look like they need more income to run their business.


Updates: New statement from brave regarding this issue
https://brave.com/referral-codes-in-suggested-sites/


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: Baofeng on June 10, 2020, 08:44:54 AM
- snip -

I'm installed brave browser Version 1.9.80 Chromium: 81.0.4044.138, but it has different results, there is no more affiliate link on the suggestion, but i don't know if someone already opens the web before.

It's because that's the latest Brave browser, my test was run on the old version. So obviously, you won't replicate my results.

The latest version, with the supposedly solution to this issue is setting the "Show Brave suggested sites in autocomplete suggestions" by default to "OFF" in brave://settings/.

https://i.imgur.com/8cUrIgN.png


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: TryNinja on June 10, 2020, 09:15:11 AM
I'm installed brave browser Version 1.9.80 Chromium: 81.0.4044.138, but it has different results, there is no more affiliate link on the suggestion, but i don't know if someone already opens the web before.
That's not where it used to show up. It only shows in your URL bar (e.g when you type Binance.us to go directly to the website). They already removed these "features" but it's not out yet (should be changed in 1.12.x - Nightly, according to their github repo[1])

[1] https://github.com/brave/brave-core/pull/5761


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: masulum on June 11, 2020, 04:56:41 AM
It's because that's the latest Brave browser, my test was run on the old version. So obviously, you won't replicate my results.
Yup, I know that what I installed is different, I want to inform you that there is an update on the Brave side. The most fatal difference is that you send a screenshot of the suggestion in the address bar, but I'm from a search engine. I'm sorry about that.

They already removed these "features" but it's not out yet (should be changed in 1.12.x - Nightly, according to their github repo[1])

Thank you for correction,
Yes, the suggestion with ref link doesn't show up anymore, I mentioned it to the statement that I posted in the previous post.



Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: Krislaw on June 11, 2020, 05:45:34 AM
They stopped being a privacy browser when they requested for KYC from their airdrop participants. This guys are so lazy that were only able to fork chrome browser. Had to stop using it because it's no difference with chrome browser.
A big company scamming users for pennies.


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: UserU on June 11, 2020, 06:52:40 AM
They stopped being a privacy browser when they requested for KYC from their airdrop participants. This guys are so lazy that were only able to fork chrome browser. Had to stop using it because it's no difference with chrome browser.
A big company scamming users for pennies.

It's not Brave doing this. Uphold, which they partnered with is though.


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: bob123 on June 11, 2020, 09:01:56 AM
They stopped being a privacy browser when they requested for KYC from their airdrop participants [...]

It's not Brave doing this. Uphold, which they partnered with is though.

And why did they partner with them?
They could have easily done that without a 3rd party.

Instead, they chose the simple way without caring about their original philosophy of "privacy orientated".
Brave is (and always was) a joke.


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: stompix on June 11, 2020, 12:52:55 PM
I'm installed brave browser Version 1.9.80 Chromium: 81.0.4044.138, but it has different results, there is no more affiliate link on the suggestion, but i don't know if someone already opens the web before.
That's not where it used to show up. It only shows in your URL bar (e.g when you type Binance.us to go directly to the website).

Yeah, he just gave them a new idea, replace the URLs directly into the google search results.
The way Brave is going it won't be long before we see that happening.

It's not Brave doing this. Uphold, which they partnered with is though.

If they would have partnered with CIA or Walmart or "The company that makes batteries out of bunnies" it still wouldn't be their fault, right?
It amazes me how some people are still trying to defend moves just because, really why defending them at all?
What is Brave offering right now? Other than promises they will never do this kind oh stuff again? Nothing!

A clear example of a company milking its subjects with empty promises, Brave or Oxygen Water it's the same right now.


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: notblox1 on June 11, 2020, 01:17:59 PM
I see new developers for BraveER browser (fork of brave) are very active in discord,
and lot of contributors are signing in to help and make this project a reality.
I hear they are also working on new website, and people are interested.
Just count how much brave owners earned so far with this. It is crazy!
No more adware and referral links!



Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: Onuohakk on June 11, 2020, 09:58:59 PM
With their 15million users world wide, what Brave CEO and co-founder Brendan Eich only addresses the incident that happened as ''a mistake they're correcting.” What are their findings for taking such moves? There's more to that, which they are not airing out.
The mistake has been done already but can it bring back their users trust back again that's the question for Eich


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: dejuan on June 13, 2020, 02:52:16 PM
Yea for real privacy Tor or Firefox with good settings is  probably better.

Brave just do for BAT - if I am using browser, might  as well get paid


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: stompix on June 13, 2020, 03:34:51 PM
Hihi, I was looking a the reactions over at brave community when I realized something, that forum looks like a bounty hunter complaints meeting:

https://i.imgur.com/NGdpp32.png

And so on, about 50+ active threads all about rewards bumped in the last 24h, while in the feedback category only 6.
It's starting to become clear where their millions of new users come from...cryptotalk deja-vu ;D


With their 15million users world wide, what Brave CEO and co-founder Brendan Eich only addresses the incident that happened as ''a mistake they're correcting.”

Cut the rewards and they would be left with 15 thousand.


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: bob123 on June 13, 2020, 05:36:44 PM
And so on, about 50+ active threads all about rewards bumped in the last 24h, while in the feedback category only 6.
It's starting to become clear where their millions of new users come from...cryptotalk deja-vu ;D

What else would be the reason to use a new chromium based browser?
Obviously its because of the ability to earn a few cents per month.

People are willingly selling their personal data for less than 5$ in the bounty section here.
And those same people are also hunting for every few cents. This includes using brave.


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: tyz on June 14, 2020, 06:47:02 AM
Also on 1 years ago, brave browser is not really "private/anonymous" browser when they ask KYC to verify the wallet for BAT Tokens Brave, the so called "privacy" browser now requires KYC!  (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5170928.0)

I don't know if you aware of that the KYC has nothing direcly to do with Brave, do you? Brave offers users to earn BATs through the ads reward program. These BATs can then be distributed to site operators or content creators. If you want to have the BATs paid out, you can currently only do this via the external service Uphold. Uphold requires a KYC for regulatory reasons, just like Coinbase does i.e. when you register there. Therefore, you are giving a wrong impression. You don't need a KYC to use Brave.


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: mk4 on June 14, 2020, 07:38:54 AM
What else would be the reason to use a new chromium based browser?
Obviously its because of the ability to earn a few cents per month.

I think the browser was decent in terms of privacy(before this affiliate link fiasco). Yes, you could achieve better privacy through a well-customized Firefox browser, but this is more for the masses. More like privacy out of the box.

I checked a few minutes ago by opening binance.us and it looks like they've probably removed this affiliate redirect thingy, but this sure did hurt their reputation A LOT. They pretty much shot themselves on the foot.


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: Shimmiry on June 14, 2020, 08:37:46 AM
~
I think the browser was decent in terms of privacy(before this affiliate link fiasco). Yes, you could achieve better privacy through a well-customized Firefox browser, but this is more for the masses. More like privacy out of the box.

Yes, at first Brave do well in terms of ad-blocking and blocking malicious websites as well. But after they had the BAT campaign, many had use it just for the sake of the rewards. Even I myself tried it yet for the few months right after, the rewards seems a bit faulty and unresponsive which I uninstalled eventually.

If you all want your privacy to be maxed out, better consider using Linux-based Operating Systems, particularly Kali (which really focuses in Defensive Security) that is open-source. All browsers tend to have the same advertisement and purpose (they say), both security and speed. Overall, stop using Brave for your main accounts or use it with MEW extensions.

See: https://www.kali.org


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: bob123 on June 14, 2020, 09:54:03 AM
I think the browser was decent in terms of privacy(before this affiliate link fiasco). Yes, you could achieve better privacy through a well-customized Firefox browser, but this is more for the masses. More like privacy out of the box.

To be honestly, most people - if they care about their privacy - should start with their operating system.
Using windows but then on the other hand trying to increase their privacy by using a specific browser is kind of pointless.



If you all want your privacy to be maxed out, better consider using Linux-based Operating Systems, particularly Kali (which really focuses in Defensive Security) that is open-source.

Kali is mostly just a debian with lots of penetration tools pre-installed.
It definitely is not suitable as an everyday OS.

Generally, any linux is fine. But if you want a privacy-focused OS out of the box, Tails is the way to go.


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: mk4 on June 14, 2020, 11:28:54 AM
If you all want your privacy to be maxed out, better consider using Linux-based Operating Systems, particularly Kali (which really focuses in Defensive Security) that is open-source. All browsers tend to have the same advertisement and purpose (they say), both security and speed. Overall, stop using Brave for your main accounts or use it with MEW extensions.
To be honestly, most people - if they care about their privacy - should start with their operating system.
Using windows but then on the other hand trying to increase their privacy by using a specific browser is kind of pointless.

Yea sure. But then again we're not talking about the minority that's super(rightfully) paranoid about their privacy to the point that they will sacrifice user experience. This is geared towards the masses, hence why Brave was designed in a way that their users wouldn't need to tinker with things for the privacy stuff to work.

Soon their privacy out of the box might be obsolete. For instance, i set brave shields to block all ads, but some ads isn't blocked.
It definitely is far from perfect. I've had better ad blocking experience with just uBlock Origin vs Brave's shields.


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: masulum on June 15, 2020, 07:46:37 AM
For instance, i set brave shields to block all ads, but some ads isn't blocked.

it's true that sometimes there are ads that still appear whether it's Google ads or other ads. I think there is a change in coding to prevent ads from being detected by adblocker. I use 3 different browsers to compare it, including Firefox, Brave and Osiris, where all three browsers are equipped with ad block from the browser or using an extension. but I still see ads on some websites.


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: Cryptobd24 on June 15, 2020, 09:08:32 AM
It’s very shocking news for me because last 1 years I continue using this browser and I am very satisfied about this browser feature. Now I am very careful. Thanks for share this important news.               


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: tyz on June 15, 2020, 02:11:38 PM
It’s very shocking news for me because last 1 years I continue using this browser and I am very satisfied about this browser feature. Now I am very careful. Thanks for share this important news.               

If you're so shocked and your trust is gone, you'd better switch to the forked project Braver Browser (https://github.com/braver-browser). It is the same source code (and is constantly synchronized with the original) but without the reflinks and other similiar stuff from the original code. It also aims to remove other possible privacy breaking stuff in the future [1].

[1] https://github.com/braver-browser/braver-browser/issues/6
.


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: DooMAD on June 15, 2020, 08:26:57 PM
Also disappointing that Brave Software's CEO is a raving homophobe to boot.  I'll be sure to have a look at the fork.


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: masulum on June 16, 2020, 01:02:25 AM
If you're so shocked and your trust is gone, you'd better switch to the forked project Braver Browser (https://github.com/braver-browser).

if the forking is done only to remove the ref link, I think fork brave to braver will not have a good result. Because, as mentioned before, brave team has fixed it and removed all the ref links from the suggestion URL. I would also hesitate to use braver if the development is still the same as the current brave that will be able to attract users. Because,  if forking is only done with a little difference, I'm sure it won't be able to take over Brave's position. The simple thing is "using it or leave it". IMO For users who are disappointed with Brave, they will choose to leave everything connected to Brave including using the fork version.


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: Kong Hey Pakboy on June 16, 2020, 09:39:53 AM
I am using brave browser for years and I didn't know anything about this issue and problem about using brave browser. I really love the use of brave browser because I thought it could help me to keep my privacy and data away from hackers.


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: UserU on June 16, 2020, 12:39:14 PM
if the forking is done only to remove the ref link, I think fork brave to braver will not have a good result. Because, as mentioned before, brave team has fixed it and removed all the ref links from the suggestion URL. I would also hesitate to use braver if the development is still the same as the current brave that will be able to attract users. Because,  if forking is only done with a little difference, I'm sure it won't be able to take over Brave's position. The simple thing is "using it or leave it". IMO For users who are disappointed with Brave, they will choose to leave everything connected to Brave including using the fork version.

Once you've earned and cashed out the BATs, it might be a tough decision to forego them.


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: taufik123 on June 16, 2020, 05:33:18 PM
-snip-
Using the adblocker feature on Brave browser and several other features is the reason why I tried Brave browser. It's not just a matter of earning money, but indeed to try how comfortable this Brave browser is compared to other browsers.

I also use Firefox now and other browsers. But Firefox is my favorite browser, without a hidden REF link like brave browsers do.

As far as I know that the developer behind on the Brave browser is also the former developer on Mozilla Firefox.
Yes, the developer behind Brave Browser is Brendan Eich, a former Mozilla Firefox developer and creator of Javascript. Brave browser is a chromium-based browser, like other browsers, but has many added features.

All browser is very crucial to use if you are caring about your privacy you should consider using a good adblocker. Because if you don't, it might your activity might be tracked by third-party advertising networks.
For the use of Adblocker, Brave browser does already have an internal ad blocker that they developed themselves. But for third-party adblockers it must be considered because it will relate to your privacy issues. I usually use adblocker provided by Kaspersky Antivirus which is more powerful and safer in my opinion.


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: charlie137 on June 17, 2020, 06:11:20 AM
Yea for real privacy Tor or Firefox with good settings is  probably better.

Brave just do for BAT - if I am using browser, might  as well get paid

not for privacy directly, but for for blocking unwanted/ad traffic - pi-hole is the best.


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: smyslov on June 17, 2020, 09:12:46 AM
I am using brave browser for years and I didn't know anything about this issue and problem about using brave browser. I really love the use of brave browser because I thought it could help me to keep my privacy and data away from hackers.

i think they are now guilty of abusing their members and partners, they ask for KYC before they send you your rewards and now they are dropping affiliate links on the ads they promote on their browser, it now cast doubts on the reputation of this browser, I stopped using browser, there are still a lot of alternatives.


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: MrMojoRising26 on June 18, 2020, 06:26:16 AM
sucks to hear about Brave they have an actual use case I had high hopes for them.... then this news hit  :-[


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: bob123 on June 18, 2020, 10:21:39 AM
sucks to hear about Brave they have an actual use case I had high hopes for them.... then this news hit  :-[

Which use case? Browsing the web?

Not like there are browsers available already..


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: lovesmayfamilis on June 18, 2020, 12:18:57 PM
A good alternative to Brave is a self-configured Firefox browser.
Initially, all browsers are provided to users with incomplete privacy protection. But if you slightly modify and disable all unnecessary tracking trackers, then Firefox, in combination with other measures to protect your data, can be quite successfully used.
Here many browser settings are regularly laid out.
https://www.ghacks.net/category/firefox/


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: tyz on June 19, 2020, 10:34:26 AM
If you're so shocked and your trust is gone, you'd better switch to the forked project Braver Browser (https://github.com/braver-browser).

if the forking is done only to remove the ref link, ...

Yes for now there have only been removed the reflinks and BAT token functionalities. But there are plans for the future to rebuild the browser. There are discussions (https://github.com/braver-browser/braver-browser/issues) to base the browser on Firefox-Engine, remove all crypto wallets and all external services like Google Translate for example.


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: OcTradism on June 19, 2020, 12:41:39 PM
What happened with Brave browser and their strategy?

I used to be a big fan of Brave browser (you can see my first question on the forum is What's wrong with Brave browser? (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5153063.0) when I got troubles with the reinstallation of it on my computer) but the topic and such hijacking behavior of Brave browser caused me to stop using the browser.


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: stadus on June 19, 2020, 02:00:02 PM
I'm using brave browser, I think it's almost a year already but when I decided using it, it wasn't because of the factors mentioned in the OP, I was just using it because it block ads and it's faster compared to using google chrome, that's just based on my experience.

Also, just lately I noticed that advertisements already appear when I'm watching youtube videos, it looks like a google chome to me now.

This thread is interesting though, it's more technical about the project but I'm here to watch it.


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: UserU on June 20, 2020, 11:57:04 AM
I'm using brave browser, I think it's almost a year already but when I decided using it, it wasn't because of the factors mentioned in the OP, I was just using it because it block ads and it's faster compared to using google chrome, that's just based on my experience.

Also, just lately I noticed that advertisements already appear when I'm watching youtube videos, it looks like a google chome to me now.

This thread is interesting though, it's more technical about the project but I'm here to watch it.

Their ad blocker is sometimes broken whenever you run the latest version. Try not to update it for a while. Tends to work for me.


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: DooMAD on June 23, 2020, 01:19:01 PM
Currently giving Vivaldi a try, since the 'Braver' fork seems like it's still in early development.  Vivaldi is like a weird hybrid of Chrome and Opera but with supposedly better adblocking.  Only just installed it, so too early to be making recommendations yet.  Fingers crossed, I guess.

//EDIT:  uBlock Origin plugin, too.


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: tyz on June 23, 2020, 07:15:22 PM
Currently giving Vivaldi a try, since the 'Braver' fork seems like it's still in early development.  Vivaldi is like a weird hybrid of Chrome and Opera but with supposedly better adblocking.  Only just installed it, so too early to be making recommendations yet.  Fingers crossed, I guess.

//EDIT:  uBlock Origin plugin, too.

I have used Vivaldi for a while as a second browser. It is not bad. Basically it is most of old Opera + Chromium Engine. From my experience, ad blocking is not better or worser than with Chrome, Firefox and others so it has never become my first browser. Also, it is mostly closed source software what is a drawback for me. As an alternative you can use Chromium Browser (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chromium_(web_browser)) which is Google Chrome without Google :D


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: fortunecrypto on June 24, 2020, 03:30:32 AM


Once you've earned and cashed out the BATs, it might be a tough decision to forego them.

It's true it has become a battle between making money and taking care of your privacy, you have to compute or analyze which one will end up as a better decision, I'm still using Brave not on a daily basis but I would like to see what they are going to do after the announcement of the new browser Braver, there might be confusion by users on the two that are almost similar in names.


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: libert19 on June 24, 2020, 03:37:12 AM
What a way to destroy your project for a few bucks...

Binance commissions are huge, it's certainly not 'few bucks'.

Anyway, they indeed shot their own foot with this bullshittery. Some will still keep using it tho as if nothing happened, also possible that most userbase would be unaware of this happenings, hey it helps me surf websites, it's fine.


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: NavI_027 on June 24, 2020, 04:24:50 AM
Lot's of people are using Brave browser now, and thinking it is privacy based browser.
It is fork of Chrome browser, and people noticed that browser owners have been using their own affiliate links to earn.
They also delete all traces and talks about it on intenret.
Oh God! I switched to Brave once again after I've read a thread regarding about the Chromes harmful extensions, and now I see this! I thought from the very beginning that Brave browser is safe to use that's why many people trusted it (including me) but everything was a lie. Well, let's accept that Privacy is just a fiction in the online world because I feel that there are eyes watching on us wherever we visit :-\. It seems that we got no choice but to pick our own posion, so choose wisely.

Hmm any safer recommendations for mobile devices?


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: notblox1 on July 09, 2020, 01:53:48 PM
Latest updated is that guys from Braver browser (fork from Brave browser) got served and received legal threats from Brave team,
so they had to change name of browser to BOLD as well as add new icon with different colors.


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: DooMAD on July 09, 2020, 05:12:17 PM
Latest updated is that guys from Braver browser (fork from Brave browser) got served and received legal threats from Brave team,
so they had to change name of browser to BOLD as well as add new icon with different colors.

Not overly surprising.  I did think it was a little too similar, heh.

But that outcome should serve as a reminder web browsers are actually a business.  They create this software to make money.  Your choice of browser is an ethical choice and, if at all possible, you should endeavour to make sure you support the businesses that respect individual freedoms.  The people who run Brave Software have made it abundantly clear in prior controversies that they won't defend the rights of individuals.  Based on that alone, I would strongly recommend people don't use Brave.


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: TryNinja on July 09, 2020, 05:41:15 PM
Latest updated is that guys from Braver browser (fork from Brave browser) got served and received legal threats from Brave team,
so they had to change name of browser to BOLD as well as add new icon with different colors.
Just adding some source:

Quote
Due to legal threats sent to one of our community members by a certain party, specifically looking to harm them financially because of what this browser is forked from, we are immediately changing the name and removing all association to "the browser that shall not be named".
https://twitter.com/BoldBrowser/status/1281167687629049856

Quote
We are also removing references to a browser that we previously mentioned from our tweets, as a gesture of goodwill to those who send legal threats to open source contributors.
https://twitter.com/BoldBrowser/status/1281174422347546624

Quote
A company shouldn't advertise itself as privacy and anonymity respecting if they support sending legal threats to the only non-anonymous contributor of an open-source project.

Legal Disclaimer: this tweet is about nothing/noone in particular.
https://twitter.com/BoldBrowser/status/1281223448170242049

New links:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BoldBrowser
GitHub: https://github.com/BoldBrowser


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: o_e_l_e_o on July 10, 2020, 03:18:29 PM
Some thoughts:

Bold browser is a much better name than Braver browser.
Their new icon is lit. (Can someone who is "down with the kids" please confirm I have used that word correctly?)
This is the final nail in the coffin for Brave browser as far as I am concerned. Sending legal threats to contributers (note: not even the owners) of an open source project is ridiculous. They've compromised on privacy, they've compromised on ads, and now they are compromising on freedom, all in the name of their own profits.

At this point I would have a tough time choosing between Brave and Chrome, which is saying a lot considering Chrome is spyware, but as far as I am aware Google have never sent legal threats to developers of any browsers built on Chromium.


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: Onuohakk on July 13, 2020, 06:24:47 PM
As it stands now, no browser is to be trust. If brave browser can surf on you, other browser's are also doing the same. What I do like about brave is their fast connection of loading files.
Changing name to braver does it mean that their past formal bad deeds will be forgotten and wont remember or mentioning ever again. It makes no sense to me since they're still the same people controlling, managing, fixing and updating the app


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: Lucius on July 20, 2020, 02:03:12 PM
I don’t want to open a new topic, but a couple of days ago I started getting notifications from my AV that Brave wants access to my webcam access, but there was no reason for that. I checked to see if anyone else had similar experiences and found some more cases where users are wondering what this is all about. Each browser has options where you can manage web or mic access, so I suggest that all those who use Brave check if this permission is turned on.

More info about issue -> https://community.brave.com/t/can-anyone-explain-why-brave-desktop-for-win-10-keeps-trying-to-access-my-webcam/115286


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: UserU on July 21, 2020, 03:06:30 AM
I don’t want to open a new topic, but a couple of days ago I started getting notifications from my AV that Brave wants access to my webcam access, but there was no reason for that. I checked to see if anyone else had similar experiences and found some more cases where users are wondering what this is all about. Each browser has options where you can manage web or mic access, so I suggest that all those who use Brave check if this permission is turned on.

More info about issue -> https://community.brave.com/t/can-anyone-explain-why-brave-desktop-for-win-10-keeps-trying-to-access-my-webcam/115286

Must be those BATs we have received, now they want NUDEs in return.

Jokes aside, I think the best way to avoid these things, aside from Brave is to cover the webcam.


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: crypto1998 on August 15, 2020, 10:30:21 AM
after all this scam from BRAVE browser i think BRAVE TOKEN will be delisted from BINANCE soon to save BINANCE reputation  ;D


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: kaltun on January 24, 2021, 11:56:39 AM
after all this scam from BRAVE browser i think BRAVE TOKEN will be delisted from BINANCE soon to save BINANCE reputation  ;D

i was checking info about Brave browser on BTT, and came accross this thread, i am using brave myself, and earning BAT tokens with surfing and i  adviced a lot of (non-crypto) users to use this browser.

the coin is ( atm of writing) $0.3 and rising...

so little confused .. the brave is trustable ..yes  ???


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: pawanjain on January 24, 2021, 02:43:48 PM
I had tried using brave browser once but it was only a dilemma for me. I didn't even liked it's interface and stopped using it just in 2 days.
My friend had invested in BAT few years ago and I only feel sad for him since BAT has only gone down in price over the years when paired with BTC.
There's no reason for me to look up for Brave browser and BAT anymore. I prefer using Firefox on my PC and Kiwi browser on my phone.
These are the best browsers till date I have ever used.

Not promoting but Kiwi browser for Android has the option to install add ons/extensions which makes it more cool than any other browser for smartphone.


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: $crypto$ on January 24, 2021, 03:00:44 PM
I had tried using brave browser once but it was only a dilemma for me. I didn't even liked it's interface and stopped using it just in 2 days.
My friend had invested in BAT few years ago and I only feel sad for him since BAT has only gone down in price over the years when paired with BTC.
There's no reason for me to look up for Brave browser and BAT anymore. I prefer using Firefox on my PC and Kiwi browser on my phone.
These are the best browsers till date I have ever used.

Not promoting but Kiwi browser for Android has the option to install add ons/extensions which makes it more cool than any other browser for smartphone.
In the beginning, the Brave browser was launched, I used it, but it was not long and I was just expecting to get a BAT token. Honestly, for me, I am not comfortable with this browser, but I do not know about the others, obviously many are using Brave because they only want the tokens they get.

BAT's price is quite good, well, my friends get a lot of tokens from short-term trades but they don't invest much longer because it's prone too.

But for me the best browser is Google Chrome, for some reason it feels comfortable to use on PC and mobile.


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: kaltun on January 24, 2021, 03:19:04 PM
i am using also chrome but also brave, for me there is almost no difference between chrome and brave , escpecially when brave copied/synched the everything from chrome.. and if i can also earn coins with using the browser why not ? but i was little confused when i saw and read here the post about negativity of brave...
my question is , is it dangerous to use brave ???



btw i am reacting from chrome browser  ;D


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: DooMAD on January 24, 2021, 04:42:53 PM
and if i can also earn coins with using the browser why not ? but i was little confused when i saw and read here the post about negativity of brave...
my question is , is it dangerous to use brave ???

It depends on your outlook.  You don't just earn for yourself, you earn money for the company, Brave Software.  The CEO of Brave has expressed certain views that some may find bigoted, intolerant and prejudicial.  By using Brave, you might end up inadvertently funding someone who would openly discriminate against you or people you care about.  If you believe in supporting the rights and freedoms of others, consider finding an alternative to Brave.


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: UserU on January 24, 2021, 04:45:25 PM


But for me the best browser is Google Chrome, for some reason it feels comfortable to use on PC and mobile.

Both are essentially running on the Chromium engine. But one thing that made me switch from Chrome to Brave was the ads as well as the earning potential.

While you could still install the adblock on Chrome, Brave has it enabled by default.


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: aoluain on January 24, 2021, 10:30:34 PM
I started using Brave a few months ago, only as a browser though after my firefox on android
started giving trouble, slow site loads and unresponsive text windows. With Brave I've had
no problems but reading the posts here I think i'll change and try Bold.

Thanks for the thread

Ok just reading it is a but early days ATM for Bold browser.


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: kaltun on January 25, 2021, 10:37:49 AM
and if i can also earn coins with using the browser why not ? but i was little confused when i saw and read here the post about negativity of brave...
my question is , is it dangerous to use brave ???

It depends on your outlook.  You don't just earn for yourself, you earn money for the company, Brave Software.  The CEO of Brave has expressed certain views that some may find bigoted, intolerant and prejudicial.  By using Brave, you might end up inadvertently funding someone who would openly discriminate against you or people you care about.  If you believe in supporting the rights and freedoms of others, consider finding an alternative to Brave.
whaaat ??

never thought about this also didnt know about the ceo of this was a bad guy, you mean Brendan Eich right ?  and how about chrome , its from  Google thats evil also ? or edge its from micrsoft or safari  ect ect

is duckduckgo also evil ??


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: o_e_l_e_o on January 25, 2021, 11:01:43 AM
never thought about this also didnt know about the ceo of this was a bad guy, you mean Brendan Eich right ?
Yes. He donates to anti-LGBT organizations and causes, he donates to politicians who oppress minorities and deny climate change, and he expresses anti-scientific views, most recently regarding the COVID pandemic. He was fired from Mozilla because of his bigoted views.

and how about chrome , its from  Google thats evil also ?
Chrome is terrible for so many reasons. It is pretty much spyware at this point. It phones home to Google constantly and tracks literally everything you do online, even as far as pre-fetching results (and logging those results) for things you type in to the address bar, even if you don't actually press enter. Google use all that information to build a complete profile on you (linked of course to any sites you log in to via Chrome such as Facebook, Instagram, etc.) and sells all that to advertisers and third parties. I wouldn't use Chrome if you paid me.

is duckduckgo also evil ??
DuckDuckGo is good as both a search engine and as a browser app.

Tor is obviously the best browser in terms of security and privacy, but many people don't like using it due to slow speed and some pages not displaying correctly. The next best option is Firefox, preferably with a small number of privacy improving extensions and tweaks: https://www.privacytools.io/browsers/#browser


Title: Re: Brave browser hijacking links and affiliate codes!
Post by: kaltun on January 25, 2021, 11:39:33 AM
never thought about this also didnt know about the ceo of this was a bad guy, you mean Brendan Eich right ?
Yes. He donates to anti-LGBT organizations and causes, he donates to politicians who oppress minorities and deny climate change, and he expresses anti-scientific views, most recently regarding the COVID pandemic. He was fired from Mozilla because of his bigoted views.

and how about chrome , its from  Google thats evil also ?
Chrome is terrible for so many reasons. It is pretty much spyware at this point. It phones home to Google constantly and tracks literally everything you do online, even as far as pre-fetching results (and logging those results) for things you type in to the address bar, even if you don't actually press enter. Google use all that information to build a complete profile on you (linked of course to any sites you log in to via Chrome such as Facebook, Instagram, etc.) and sells all that to advertisers and third parties. I wouldn't use Chrome if you paid me.

is duckduckgo also evil ??
DuckDuckGo is good as both a search engine and as a browser app.

Tor is obviously the best browser in terms of security and privacy, but many people don't like using it due to slow speed and some pages not displaying correctly. The next best option is Firefox, preferably with a small number of privacy improving extensions and tweaks: https://www.privacytools.io/browsers/#browser

the reason i use chrome / brave /mozilla  because of metamask , reading all those thing what you say, it really made me think for using it.
so if i sum up which are the best for using it :
- Tor --> https://www.torproject.org/
- duckduckgo --> https://duckduckgo.com/
- mozilla -->https://www.mozilla.org/