Avast Secure Browser

Avast Secure Browser is a free browser with layers of protection to prevent online tracking, increasing privacy while browsing and preventing attacks by cybercriminals. The feature can be installed by Windows, Mac, and Android users, and works in parallel with other browsers such as Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Microsoft Edge. Check out all the details about Avast's browser below.

What is Avast Secure Browser?

Avast Secure Browser is a web security-focused browser developed by Avast. The tool has several privacy features that are not normally available natively in other browsers, such as ad blocking. The program has integration with Avast Antivirus and Avast SecureLine VPN, software that can be used in free and paid versions.

Avast Secure Browser Features

The highlight is the Security and Privacy Center. Here are gathered all the tools for managing privacy, identity, and personal data online. Features offered include ad blocker, anti-phishing system, anti-tracking, password manager, extension protector, and webcam protection. All these services are activated as soon as the browser is installed, and can be disabled one by one by the user.

Among the integrated functions of the center are also the anti-recognition, which hides information from the browser to the sites; the Hack Check, which checks whether the user's e-mail address has already been used in Internet scams; the anonymous mode; and the data wiping tool.

The Center even displays shortcuts to install Avast SecureLine VPN and Avast Antivirus, which is necessary for using Bank Mode. This feature creates a completely clean virtual desktop for you to access your bank without leaving any traces, preventing hackers from using keystroke loggers or other spying tools.

Is Avast Secure Browser safe?

Avast's browser is reliable and has tools that increase the security of internet browsing. But it should be clear that the software, like any other, does not provide a 100% guarantee against attacks and vulnerabilities in general.

When using Secure Browser, the user still has to adopt safe browsing practices to reduce the chances of falling victim to intrusions. Never download files or open e-mails from unknown sources, use strong passwords and change codes periodically are some of the tips that help in this regard.

Supported platforms and requirements

The software is available for Windows, Mac and Android. On Microsoft systems, the browser is compatible with Windows 10 (except Mobile and IoT Core Edition), Windows 8/8.1 (except RT and Starter Edition), and Windows 7 SP1 or higher, or any Edition. It also requires a processor equal to or higher than the Intel Pentium 4 or the AMD Athlon 64, provided it supports SSE2 instructions, and a screen with a minimum resolution of 800 x 600 pixels.

Apple users must have Mac OS X 10.10.x Yosemite or newer versions of the operating system installed; have a computer with a 64-bit Intel processor; and a display resolution of at least 1024 x 768 pixels. For Google's mobile system, the requirement is that the cell phone runs Android 5.0 Lollipop or higher.

Avast Secure Browser Features

As soon as Avast Secure Browser is installed, the first thing the user may notice is the similarity with Google Chrome's look, including within the main menu. The options are displayed in the same order and even with the same font, which can sometimes create confusion about which browser is open, if both are installed on the PC.

The first difference when using it is that, by default, the browser has the ad blocker and the blocker for Adobe Flash-based content activated. Both tools can be disabled at any time by the user.

The latter is for speeding up page loads, something that Avast's browser actually does. It claims to have speeds up to 4 times faster than competitors, and although in TechTudo's tests the performance did not reach this level, the browser was slightly faster than Chrome, Firefox and Microsoft Edge.

Secure Browser brings more security and privacy tools. On the other hand, it does not have multi-user support, for example, which is present in Firefox, Chrome and Edge.

How to download (and uninstall) Avast Secure Browser

Secure Browser can be installed independently or when downloading Avast Antivirus - which is why it sometimes looks like the browser installed itself, when in fact it was downloaded with the antivirus. The download depends on the platform: if it is Android, it is done from the Google Play Store; if it is Windows or Mac, from the Avast Secure Browser website.

On the desktop, the site will identify the operating system through which the user is browsing and offer the corresponding button to download the installation file. Simply run the installer and follow the prompts to completion. In the final steps, you can import bookmarks and favorites from your default browser.

Uninstalling is equally easy, just follow the standard operating system procedure. If you are uninstalling on Windows, open the settings, go into "Applications", locate Avast Secure Browser, and press the "Uninstall" button.

If you want to uninstall the browser on macOS, a simple way is to find it via Finder, select it, and then click "Move to trash". To uninstall the app on Android, tap and hold the Secure Browser icon, drag and drop it onto the "Uninstall" option.