Avast Browser

Avast Secure Browser is a free browser that has layers of protection to prevent online tracking, increasing privacy while browsing and preventing cybercriminal attacks. The feature can be installed by Windows, Mac and Android users, and works alongside other browsers such as Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari and Microsoft Edge. Below, check out all the details about the Avast browser.

Avast Secure Browser is a security-focused web 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. It gathers 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 central's integrated functions are also anti-recognition, which hides information from the browser to websites; Hack Check, which checks whether the user's email address has already been used in Internet scams; the anonymous mode; and the data cleaning tool.

The Center also displays shortcuts to install Avast SecureLine VPN and Avast Antivirus, required for using Bank Mode. This feature creates a completely clean virtual desktop for you to access your bank without leaving a trace, preventing hackers from using keyloggers or other spy tools.

Is Avast Secure Browser secure?

Avast's browser is reliable and has tools that increase security when browsing the Internet. But it must be made clear that the software, like any other, does not offer a 100% guarantee against attacks and vulnerabilities in general.

When using Secure Browser, the user continues to have to adopt safe browsing practices to reduce the chances of being a victim of intrusions. Never downloading files or opening emails from unknown sources, using strong passwords and changing codes periodically are some of the tips that help in this regard.

Compatible platforms and requirements

The software is available for Windows, Mac and Android. In Microsoft system, 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 versions. It also requires a processor equal to or higher than Intel Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon 64, as long as it supports SSE2 instructions, and screen with a minimum resolution of 800 x 600 pixels.

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

Avast Secure Browser Differentials

Once Avast Secure Browser is installed, the first thing the user may notice is the similarity to the look and feel of Google Chrome, even within the main menu. The options are displayed in the same order and even with the same font, which sometimes creates 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 both Adobe Flash-based ad blocker and content blocker enabled. Both tools can be disabled at any time by the user.

The latter serves to speed up page loading, 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 has not reached this level, the browser proved to be little faster than Chrome, Firefox and Microsoft Edge.

Secure Browser brings more security and privacy tools. On the other hand, it does not support multiple users, for example, a feature present in Firefox, Chrome and Edge.

How to Download (and Uninstall) Avast Secure Browser

Secure Browser can be installed standalone or by 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's Android, it's done by the Google Play Store; if it is Windows or Mac, through the Avast Secure Browser website.

On the desktop, the website will identify the operating system the user is navigating through and offer the corresponding button to download the installation file. Just run the installer and follow the directions to completion. In the final steps, you can import bookmarks and bookmarks from the default browser.

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

If you want to uninstall the browser from macOS, a simple way is to find it in the 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 on the "Uninstall" option.