Alternative browsers Brave and TOR
Most people are familiar with common web browsers such as Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Edge. However, there are also alternative browsers like Brave or TOR, which focus on privacy protection. But are these browsers truly competitive alternatives to the traditional giants? And do they really offer a higher level of privacy as they claim? In this article, we will take a closer look at these browsers and try to answer these questions.
Brave Browser
First, we'll focus on Brave, which has been attracting more and more users lately. It is a free browser that emphasizes privacy and automatic ad blocking. Brave is built on the Chromium browser framework, the same software used by Google Chrome. However, unlike Chrome, Brave offers significantly better control over tracking elements and users' personal data, thanks to integrated tools for blocking cookies, fingerprinting, and more.
A major advantage of Brave is that it has a similar user interface and functionalities as Google Chrome. For users, this means an easy transition to an already familiar, though slightly modified, environment. Moreover, Brave also supports extensions designed for Chrome, which expands personalization options and enhances the overall user experience. Additionally, it quickly implements the latest security improvements and updates, thereby increasing the browser's security and reliability.
From a security and privacy standpoint, the main advantages include automatic blocking of third-party ads (which limits tracking of your online behavior) and tracking cookies. Moreover, Brave automatically upgrades unsecured connections to HTTPS, which increases security when accessing unsecured websites. [1] Additionally, the browser features a private search engine that does not store user data, contributing to better protection of personal information. All of this ensures significantly safer internet browsing.
Brave is interesting in that it offers its users rewards for not blocking ads. Brave shares the profits from ads with users through a cryptocurrency called Basic Attention Token (BAT), which is based on the Ethereum blockchain. The amount of rewards varies depending on the country where the browser is used. In the Czech Republic, earnings are on the order of tens of korunas per month. [2]
Disadvantages and Criticism
Although Brave blocks third-party ads, it offers its own ads, which it claims are safer and less invasive. However, this approach raises questions about what user data Brave collects and how this data is used. For example, to provide relevant ads, Brave must at least partially understand user preferences, which requires a certain degree of tracking.
One of the major controversies surrounding Brave was a situation in 2020 when it was discovered that the browser was automatically adding referral codes to the URLs of certain websites, specifically cryptocurrency exchanges like Binance. This automatic addition of referral codes, which could have brought Brave commissions from transactions made by users, was done without the knowledge and explicit consent of the users. This practice elicited significant criticism regarding ethics and transparency.
Despite these potential drawbacks and controversies, Brave has gained a reputation as a browser that stands on the side of user privacy. Compared to traditional browsers like Chrome, which is known for its extensive tracking and data collection for advertising purposes, Brave offers an alternative focused on the protection of personal information.
TOR Browser
The second alternative is the TOR browser. It is known for its ability to provide anonymity to users by routing their internet traffic through a distributed network of servers known as onion routers. This process masks the user's identity and allows access to websites with a high level of privacy. TOR is popular among journalists, activists, and those who live in regimes with limited freedom of expression because it provides a means for secure and anonymous access to information and communication.
From a security perspective, TOR offers robust protection against tracking and traffic analysis, but users should be cautious when downloading files and storing cookies that could compromise their anonymity. Therefore, TOR requires a certain level of technical knowledge and caution from its users [3]. However, TOR also faces challenges and criticism, especially regarding speed. Routing traffic through an extensive network of servers can significantly slow down browsing, which can be frustrating for users accustomed to faster mainstream browsers.
Overall, TOR is considered a very effective tool for protecting privacy on the internet, but its use brings certain limitations and requires increased caution. For regular users who are seeking a balanced combination of privacy and convenience, Brave may be a more suitable choice, while for those who need an extreme level of anonymization, TOR is irreplaceable. However, it is important to realize that TOR significantly slows down browsing speed due to routing through multiple nodes.
Conclusion
Overall, it can be said that although Brave is not without flaws, its privacy-focused model and security features make it competitive with the main browsers on the market. For users who are seeking greater control over their online privacy, Brave can be an attractive option. In contrast, the TOR browser provides an even deeper level of anonymization and is ideal for those who need maximum identity protection on the internet, albeit at the expense of lower browsing speed and comfort. Both browsers have their specific advantages and limitations, so it's important to thoroughly consider all aspects and ideally try out these browsers yourself before deciding what to use for your daily internet activities.