Overview on browsers. Which one should we use? Support free web while browsing.

[bitmover]

I know most of people here use Google Chrome. It is a fast browser and have all those fancy stuff Google does and people like.
But it is terrible for your privacy, as Google is collecting all your data about everything you do while using their services (and Chrome is no different).

I saw this website and I was shocked with the results of this research

The Most Popular Browsers
2019   Chrome   Edge/IE   Firefox   Safari   Opera
May   80.4 %   3.6 %   9.5 %   3.3 %   1.7 %

About 80% of the users are freely giving all their browser data to google. And I know in this forum the results would be similar, as I have seen lots of experienced members saying they are using Chrome.

Personally, I am somehow included in this statistic, as I have to use it when I am at work (sadly). But in my personal computer I avoid Chrome all the times.

In a philosophical point of view, web is supposed to be free. Google/Facebook are trying to monopolize the web. Facebook is coming to cryptocurrencies already. Google is occupying all spaces (ads, searches, browsers)... Those companies will kill the free web as we know it. There are a few things we can do to combat that. One of those is to simple use other products from other companies, which have a philosophy and fundamentals that are compatible with a free web.


Other good browsers:

1. Mozilla Firefox

There are other browsers which are faster and respect your price (with the right configuration), such as Firefox.

I like this website, privacytools.io. Their first one recommendation is Firefox.

Firefox is fast, reliable, open source and respects your privacy. Don't forget to adjust the settings according to our recommendations:  WebRTC and  about:config and get the  privacy add-ons.

I mentioned that addons in my topic Let's Talk about privacy.
Those addons are basically:
Privacy Badger: Stop Tracking, uBlock Origin, Cookies AutoDelete (which I don´t like because of auto log off), HTTPS Everywhere and Decentraleyes.


WebRTC is a feature which leaks your IP address. You can test if your browser is leaking your IP here: https://ipleak.net/

How to disable WebRTC in Firefox?
In short: Set "media.peerconnection.enabled" to "false" in "about:config".

Easy right?

This is the browser I use mostly, with that config, when I am not at work.


2. Tor Browser
Tor Browser is another recommendation from that website, however is it expert focused. It doesn't fit common users needs.


3. Brave Browser

Brave Browser is also a good option for new users. However in my experience it is buggy (lots of problems while loading webpages) and the lack of privacy and popular addons makes this browser a worst option to me. Firefox also has a bigger development team, fixing bugs and updating a lot faster than Brave.

I have it installed in my computer and I am using it sometimes, as I like to support this project. We need competitors in this ecosystem, as Edge and Chrome are really bad choices, and Chrome is almost monopolizing it.

Now requires KYC. The privacy browser requires KYC. That's a shame.
https://community.brave.com/t/uphold-kyc-know-your-customer-verification-is-now-required-in-order-to-receive-bat-publisher-payouts/42035/8



Edit:


Mobile Browsers

1. Firefox Focus
Firefox Focus automatically blocks ads and delete all cookies and history everytime it is closed. It is a bit pain in the ass sometimes, but it is a good privacy choice.

2. InBrowser
Always in incognito mode, and all data is wiped when it is closed, just like Firefox Focus.


Translations:
Translated to Hindi https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5157457.msg51568581#msg51568581

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[mersal]

I found chrome is collecting even our actions and voices through our smartphones then I started using brave browser because it is said to be one of the secured browser in terms of of our privacy policies.

But using chorme for normal browsing just because of their fast loading.

[bitmover]

But using chorme for normal browsing just because of their fast loading.

"normal browsing" is exactly the data they want. When you are doing your personal stuff, they collect data about where you would like to travel, what are your interests, what do you want to buy, what you want to read, etc etc...

[mersal]

But using chorme for normal browsing just because of their fast loading.

"normal browsing" is exactly the data they want. When you are doing your personal stuff, they collect data about where you would like to travel, what are your interests, what do you want to buy, what you want to read, etc etc...

Maybe,but I see it as good thing as long as my personal sensitive information are not available for them.

All they can do is sell these data t the companies like amazon and make revenue from it,its not doing any harm for me.

[o_e_l_e_o]

But using chorme for normal browsing just because of their fast loading.

Chrome isn't even particularly fast anymore. It's incredibly resource hungry, and eats your RAM like there is no tomorrow. Google are also planning to disable content blocking add-ons in Chrome, which will not only subject you to annoying ads, but will track you even more than already. Avoid Chrome at all costs.

Cookies AutoDelete (which I don´t like because of auto log off)

You can whitelist sites which you trust, and those cookies will not be deleted. This stops you from having to log-in every time.


If you can't be bothered configuring anything at all, then Brave is probably your best bet to use as a clean install. If, however, you can take 30 minutes to install some add ons and perform a few minor tweaks, then Firefox is by far and away the best "standard" browser to use (by "standard" I mean not including Tor).

[mersal]

But using chorme for normal browsing just because of their fast loading.

Chrome isn't even particularly fast anymore. It's incredibly resource hungry, and eats your RAM like there is no tomorrow. Google are also planning to disable content blocking add-ons in Chrome, which will not only subject you to annoying ads, but will track you even more than already. Avoid Chrome at all costs.

Thanks for the info,so what could be the best browser for mobile?

I am also having mozila and opera but not using much since I feel they always take too much ram and loads little bit slower.

[bitmover]

I am also having mozila and opera but not using much since I feel they always take too much ram and loads little bit slower.

Opera is a Chinese Chromium based browser.
It was sold in 2016 to a chinese company.
https://www.engadget.com/2016/07/18/opera-browser-sold-to-a-chinese-consortium-for-600-million/

I doubt they have any respect for your data, as Chinese laws don't care about users privacy, rights or anything. I believe it is the worst choice available, as it is not even supposed to be fast.

[TryNinja]

There is also Vivaldi (based on Chromium). I like it quite a lot and started using it as one of my main browsers some months ago.

https://vivaldi.com/

[mersal]

I am also having mozila and opera but not using much since I feel they always take too much ram and loads little bit slower.

Opera is a Chinese Chromium based browser.
It was sold in 2016 to a chinese company.
https://www.engadget.com/2016/07/18/opera-browser-sold-to-a-chinese-consortium-for-600-million/

I doubt they have any respect for your data, as Chinese laws don't care about users privacy, rights or anything. I believe it is the worst choice available, as it is not even supposed to be fast.

Same goes for the UC browser as well that is why I don't bother using it as much.

How about the one google chromium for desktop? Its still same as chrome or anything different on it.

[spadormie]

Just wanted to share this from bL4nkcode as he told our board to update our Mozilla Firefox.

Sa mga Firefox browsers users please UPDATE your firefox browser to the latest version (67.0.3 or ESR 60.7.1) asap, your device is at risk if install pa yung lower version ng firefox browser sa device niyo and its labeled as critical zero-day flaw by the mozilla foundation security advisory

According to theverge a zero-day flaw was exploited

It’s not clear exactly what hackers are attempting to gain by actively exploiting this flaw, but stealing cryptocurrency is one guess

This might be somewhat related to crypto btw.

Vulnerability description

A type confusion vulnerability can occur when manipulating JavaScript objects due to issues in Array.pop. This can allow for an exploitable crash. We are aware of targeted attacks in the wild abusing this flaw.

How risky this vulnerability(ies)?
Mozilla said, attacker would be able to inject malicious code into your system through malicious web pages if you visit them while running an unpatched version of Firefox^{[engadget.com]}

How to update your firefox browser?
Click the Tab menu -> Help -> About Firefox -> it will start checking if may new updates and will download the latest version automatically, then a restart button will appear after. It wll be updated after restart.

Firefox direct download link: https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/

Thread-topic posted on Beginners & Help

Stay safe always....

OP, I bet you should include on mobile browser google chrome. It's the fastest browser I used. And you can also play youtube music even when your phone is off or if you are doing something.

[TryNinja]

How about the one google chromium for desktop? Its still same as chrome or anything different on it.

Chrome uses Chromium, but Chromium isn't Chrome.

Chromium doesn't have the "tracking" tools that Chrome has (like user metrics and crash report). If you disable some of the stuff that relies on Google's servers on Chromium or just start using an more privacy-oriented browser that is build over it (like Vivaldi), it's way more private than Chrome.

[bitmover]

OP, I bet you should include on mobile browser google chrome. It's the fastest browser I used. And you can also play youtube music even when your phone is off or if you are doing something.

I bet you didn't read anything I have written here, not even the full title...

How about the one google chromium for desktop? Its still same as chrome or anything different on it.

Chrome uses Chromium, but Chromium isn't Chrome.

Chromium doesn't have the "tracking" tools that Chrome has (like user metrics and crash report). If you disable some of the stuff that relies on Google's servers on Chromium or just start using an more privacy-oriented browser that is build over it (like Vivaldi), it's way more private than Chrome.

The problem with Chromium Browser is that is doesn't get as much updates as Chrome, or Brave or Vivaldi.

There is also Vivaldi (based on Chromium). I like it quite a lot and started using it as one of my main browsers some months ago.
https://vivaldi.com/

Vivaldi really is a cool browser, just download it. But Vivaldi is not open source. But far better than Chrome ofc. I liked it, and I will switch to it on my work (ir works here, thankfully )
https://www.reddit.com/r/vivaldibrowser/comments/5vwihr/is_vivaldi_completely_opensource/

[LTU_btc]

In past I already said that I'm very surprised to see such huge dominance of Chrome in market of browsers.
Firefox was always No. 1 for me. Long time ago I chose to use it instead of Chrome because it used less CPU resources of my PC.
But I have to admit that I use Chrome on my phone. Probably I started to use because it's default pre-installed browser on Android phones. I use Android phone, so no matter I use Chrome on it or no, Google with all their apps already have all information about it.
Brave browser looks like an interesting option, but so far it's niche browser. But I think it have great potential to grow.
I never used Tor, because I'm not too much concerned about my privacy. Probably I would try it only if I would want to visit deep web websites.
Didn't knew that Opera was bought by Chinese company. In past I used it a lot. I liked their data saving tools. And it was best browser when I was in bad connection areas. I remember having Opera browser on my old Nokia phones 10-15 years ago. Oh, good memories.
There is few more browser that I would like to mention.
First it's DuckDuckGo (only on mobile). I heard it's good in terms of privacy.
Ecosia - Chromium based browser. They donate 80% of ad revenue to plant trees. Very nice idea and I think it's worth to support them.
P.S I'm not sure that this thread belongs to B&H board. But personally I wouldn't like to see it in off-topic section...

[TeQuiero]

I've been used a variety of browsers and up to now, Brave is my most favorite one. Here's why:
- Chrome: poor privacy. All of your information is recognized by Google.
- Firefox: I've been disappointed with its crash history in the past
- Tor: good privacy but too slow

Some other recommendation besides Brave:
- Naver Whale: a Chronium based Korean browser. Link: https://whale.naver.com/en/download
- Opera: it's featured with VPN and some crypto wallets.

There is also Vivaldi (based on Chromium). I like it quite a lot and started using it as one of my main browsers some months ago.

https://vivaldi.com/

Vivaldi has a long list of customizations and configurations but that's what make it slow and hardware consumed.

[tbct_mt2]

~snip~

You forgot about Brave browser. In my experience, when I use TOR on Brave Browser and Tor Browser, most of time Brave browser works more efficiently, fastly, easilly to surpass capcha. Whenever I failed to log in via Tor browser several times, I switch to use Brave browser on Tor network as alternative.
There is another thing, with BBCodes displayed in signature area, sometimes Tor Browswer show sort of errors with BBcodes, just part of signature codes, such as icon, etc. In contrast, Brave browser always display signature BBCodes very well. I don't know that other users experience such errors with Tor browser or it depends on my computer itself.
There is a given option to get fixed code to surpass capcha, but I don't  want to use it.

[TeQuiero]

<...>

You misread my post. All the things that you mentioned are right with Brave. Actually other browsers also have some of those but rather than listing Brave's strengths, I pointed out other browsers' weaknesses. To me, Brave is a better version of Chrome, i.e I don't have to worry about my personal information being recorded by Google.

I've been used a variety of browsers and up to now, Brave is my most favorite one. Here's why:

[joniboini]

You misread my post.

It's quite funny that your 2nd sentence wasn't read properly though.

In past I already said that I'm very surprised to see such huge dominance of Chrome in market of browsers.

How could you be?
There are thousands of articles about browsers that more or less state Chrome is the best browser out there. Most people would follow it and don't care about privacy and stuff that much. We have different knowledge and personally, it's understandable.

Nearly all of my friends use Chrome, and they don't realize the privacy issue. The reason is simple, they never read about it, and nobody ever talked to them about that. So they use it with ease.

[GreatArkansas]

Additional, there's also a Brave browser for mobile, especially on Android (which I already using months ago) and for IOS.

You can check here for the android version which is already available on playstore: Brave Privacy Browser: Fast, free and safe browser
And for IOS, it's already available on app store: Brave Browser fast web privacy

I am using now the Brave browser for my desktop and mobile too since my previous browser is Google Chrome.

[LeGaulois]

@TryNinja
I installed Vivaldi some months ago but there are things I dislike, I prefer Opera over it. Sometimes it starts to be slow after some times. In the url bar, at the right the page size displayed, it pisses me off. Only last week I found how to remove the left sidebar, good riddance. Too many updates also, almost every week. Ccleaner doesn't make a difference between Chrome and Vivaldi

I currently use Vivaldi, Opera, Chrome, Chrome Canary, Firefox, Midori.

[boyptc]

I started to like brave browser.

It allows you to use it's normal browser and disables ads automatically. You can also use it's feature with TOR.

The bug that I've found upon opening this browser, sometimes it's not launching in the first try.