Avast Secure Browser Arrives To Android, Complete With A Built-In VPN

Avast Secure Browser - Android, with VPN

The internet is never a safe place to be. This is why users need to implement security practices to prevent bad things from happening to them.

Avast is a Czech multinational company that focuses on developing cybersecurity software. The company's main product include the Avast Antivirus along with tools such as Avast SecureLine VPN, and the Avast Secure Browser.

As for the latter, it is a web browser that focuses on internet security and privacy. Based on Chromium, the browser was developed after Avast acquired Tenta in 2019. The private browser is backed by blockchain pioneers ConsenSys, and has been built from the ground up to focus on encryption

And here, Avast has launched an Android version of this security- and privacy-focused web browser.

Avast Secure Browser for Android is launched with features that also include a built-in VPN to please those who concerned about their privacy.

At its core, the VPN feature uses is strong encryption including AES-256, ChaCha 256-bit, and the TLS/SSL cryptographic protocols for the data transport layer. To ensure that user DNS requests are kept private and secure, Avast Secure Browser for Android supports multiple DNS options, including the DNS over TLS, DNSSEC and decentralized DNS support.

According to Avast Secure Browser's FAQ page:

"Avast Secure Browser includes a range of features and tools that are designed to maximize your online security. Avast Secure Browser automatically encrypts your online data, blocks spies and ads, and allows you to connect to the internet via a VPN without sacrificing browser speed."

The built-in security and privacy features available with Avast Secure Browser for Android include:

  • A VPN that encrypts all inbound and outbound connections to the VPN location.
  • A user PIN code for device access that is never stored on any server nor on the device itself.
  • Anti-tracking technologies used to prevent websites, advertisers and other web services from tracking online activity.
  • Adblock integration to improve website load time.
  • An encrypted media vault.
Avast Secure Browser - Android, with VPN

Avast added that the browser is more than just an encrypted browser.

Already available for macOS and Windows, Avast Secure Browser is described by its makers as a "privacy-first browser"; the Swiss Army knife of useful tools for comprehensive defense against mobile online threats.

"Along with encrypting your data, it also includes a VPN to keep you anonymous online and protect you over public Wi-Fi, and adblock that restricts pesky ads, allowing your webpages to load faster," Avast said.

The release of Avast Secure Browser on Android comes as Avast Threat Lab researchers found that mobile devices account for nearly half of worldwide web page views, and the increasing use of mobile devices around the globe is fueling the growth of mobile-related malware.

To date, 131 COVID-19-related apps have been detected as malicious through Avast’s apklab.io platform, as cybercriminals look to exploit the coronavirus pandemic for their own benefit.

“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,” said Scott Curtiss, VP and General Manager of Avast Secure Browser.

“There is still a perception among many consumers that on mobile, internet and browser-based threats do not exist. This is not the case. Mobile is a lucrative platform for cybercriminals because of its majority market share versus desktop and higher levels of internet traffic. In the past 12 months, we’ve seen adware rise by 38% on Android.”

Published: 
14/04/2020