Avast Secure Browser Landed on Android with a Built-in VPN

On April 8, 2020, Avast rolled out Avast Secure Browser on Android phones. Already landed on Mac and Windows, it is planning to offer privacy protection on mobile devices. The Android version is just the first step. And it will be available on iOS devices for the rest of the year.

What is Avast Secure Browser?

Avast Secure Browser is a free chromium-based web browser developed by Avast. It is advertised as an excellent browser for secure and fast browsing.

At the very beginning, Avast added “SafeZone” to the paid version of Avast Antivirus. The free version of Avast Antivirus also included “SafeZone” in 2016. “SafeZone” was later renamed to “Avast Secure Browser” in 2018.

According to a statement of Scott Curtiss, Vice President and General Manager of Avast Secure Browser, Avast aims to offer a cross-platform secure browser so that users can enjoy fast, private and secure browsing experience via Avast Secure Browser on all kinds of devices.  

“Avast’s core mission is to make the world a safer place by protecting the security and privacy of every customer. Our commitment to being a privacy-by-design technology provider was behind our acquisition of leading private mobile browser Tenta, whose technology has contributed to the development of our new Avast Secure Browser for Android. We know that our customers care deeply about security and privacy and want to be in control of their own personal data without compromising the quality of their online interactions. Our goal is to be the first all-in-one browser to secure our users’ privacy along with a frictionless secure browsing experience. Adding support for mobile is another milestone in our journey towards this long-term goal.” 

Since people increasingly rely on mobile devices to access the Internet and browse websites, Avast also wants its secure browser to cover mobile users. After landing on Android, Avast Secure Browser will also release an iOS version in the near future.  

Features of Avast Secure Browser

Avast Secure Browser is advertised to give you access to various features that focus on privacy, including ad blocker, anti-phishing, anti-tracking, anti-fingerprinting and even a built-in VPN. You will find all of them by opening its Security and Privacy Center. Just switch the toggle button to turn them on of your choice.   

The anti-tracking and the anti-fingerprinting feature will prevent online trackers from accessing your browsing history. The ad blocker, as its name suggests, block unwanted ads and improve your Internet performance. While the anti-phishing protects you from phishing attacks. Thus, you won’t fall a victim to malicious websites or malware.

The built-in VPN claims to encrypt your Internet connection and keeps your DNS requests, IP address, downloads and even bookmarks private. Whatever you do online is completely invisible to others.  

Increasing concerns about mobile phone security

Nowadays, more and more people use mobile phones to browse the Internet. Smartphones become much more important to users because there are tons of sensitive information on them. Not only your phone but also various apps on your mobile phone have a good command of you. 

Your mobile phone has become attractive and lucrative for cybercriminals. They will exploit the vulnerabilities of your smartphone to further compromise your privacy. If you don’t adopt security tools such as a VPN on your phone, many aspects of your life and your sensitive information can be revealed to others. You need a reputable VPN to prevent cybercriminals from compromising your privacy and stay private on the Internet.

Aside from making you anonymous online, a VPN service also helps you unblock websites to watch your favorite content or access geo-blocked services.