Tag Archives: browser

Do you expect more from your browser? | Avast

What do you want from your browser? These days, we all spend more time online than ever before, so it’s not a bad idea to take a closer look at the tools we use to surf the web. In today’s digital world of large-scale cybercrime, weekly ransomware attacks, and nonstop phishing, it’s time to upgrade these magic windows to the web with some more relevant and timely features. That’s why we created Avast Secure Browser — everything you need to surf online safely in this new and sophisticated technological age.

Online shoppers and bankers, rejoice — Avast Secure Browser is here | Avast

Go ahead — make those online purchases, conduct your banking through your bank app, send funds to your friends, buy and sell cryptocurrencies, and pay bills on the web. With the new Avast Secure Browser, you can be confident that your privacy is protected and your data is secure. While every version of Avast antivirus software has had basic internet security built in, we have now taken that base and expanded upon it with extra layers of protection that combat today’s growing trend of phishing, tracking, and other cyberthreats. We added more cutting-edge tools, such as Bank Mode, and put all this next-gen web security and privacy functions into Avast Secure Browser.

5 tips for ultimate online security and privacy | Avast Infographic

avast-ultimate-security-privacy-infographic-finalCybersecurity encompasses multiple defenses. It’s not just an antivirus, it’s not just a VPN, it’s not just a password manager, internet security, and anti-track software. It’s all these things and more, working together to ensure every vulnerability is protected, whether the threats are coming from a phishing email, a malicious website, a botnet, public Wi-Fi, or other avenue. Cybercriminals are trying every angle to crack into our data, and they won’t rest until they do. 

Click to view a larger version of the infographic here.

We need to defend our digital lives comprehensively. Here are 5 ways to protect yourself online:

  1. Get Antivirus Protection: Every month, our network protects hundreds of millions of users from 2 billion malware attacks. Avast Premier is our top-of-the-line antivirus that stops emerging threats, ransomware, spyware, and then some.

  2. Use a VPN to encrypt your internet connection: A VPN protects your privacy online by masking your IP address and providing an encrypted connection between you and the internet. Access streaming shows when you travel, safely use a public Wi-Fi, and remain anonymous online.
     
  3. Use a fast, secure, and private browser: Get state-of-the-art protection for all your online activities—plus ad-blocking, anti-tracking, and anti-fingerprinting. This makes it impossible for others to create an online profile of you. Avast Secure Browser includes all this and it’s up to 4x faster than your standard browser.

  4. Make your passwords unique and strong: Ever-changing, complex passwords are key to data protection. Use a password manager to securely sync your passwords across all your computers, smartphones, and tablet               
    devices. Avast Passwords Premium is a great option for
    managing your passwords and it also has the added benefit of detecting when sites have been compromised and prompts you to change your password.

  5. While you’re at it, speed up and clean up your PC: Along with all this protection, apply a full optimization suite like Avast Cleanup Premium which includes over 10 features to improve your PC’s reliability and speed. Our patented technologies provide next-gen tuning and cleaning which frees up disk space, removes bloatware, fixes problems, and increases speed.

Should you use an ad blocker? | Avast

      No Comments on Should you use an ad blocker? | Avast

Ad blockers exist for every platform—desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. But is it worth it to install this software? On the surface, it seems like a no-brainer. We fast-forward through the commercials on television, throw out the junk mail we find in our mailboxes, delete the spam that infests our email inboxes, so why wouldn’t we want to eliminate those obnoxious and distracting ads that ruin our browsing experience?   

Take back control of your privacy with Avast Secure Browser | Avast

As the digital landscape evolves, so must the tools we use to securely and privately access it.  Today’s mainstream browsers don’t adequately address both security AND privacy. Users are left on their own to find additional layers of protection via extensions and other software, and there is much misunderstanding amongst consumers regarding this topic.

In a poll of 10,000 people, 42% stated they use the Incognito or Private Browsing Modes offered by today’s browsers, and 65% mistakenly believe these modes anonymize their identity and obscure their browsing habits from spying eyes like governments, organizations, and advertisers. Additionally, 77% wrongly believe that their browser will alert them to potential web-based threats, including those from installed third-party extensions.

Avast, a global leader in digital security products, is proud to announce its updated secure browser with one unwavering purpose: to deliver both a secure and private browsing experience with all the necessary features and controls to more easily manage online identities and personal information. This will come as good news to the 89% of consumers polled who consider their web-browsing privacy important, and the 93% that are concerned about being monitored by third parties.

Introducing Avast Secure Browser

Cybersecurity and browser experts came together to develop this Chromium-based browser, designed to challenge other browsers in these three areas:

  • Speed – Our tests show web pages load up to 4X faster than they do with other popular browsers.
  • Security – Avast Secure Browser defends against web-based attacks such as ransomware, phishing and other malware.  Plus, there’s an additional layer of security with Bank Mode for online banking and buying and selling of cryptocurrencies.
  • Privacy – New features protect users from mass surveillance, profile building, and other invasions of consumer privacy.  Avast Secure Browser ships with Adblock, Anti-Tracking, and Anti-Fingerprinting switched ON to keep your online life private.

“People take browser security and privacy for granted, but web-based attacks are a leading source of cyberthreats,” said Matt Adkisson, New Product Innovation and Strategy at Avast. “With Avast Secure Browser, people get an elevated level of protection that’s easy, fast, and comprehensive. It will not only protect users from online threats such as cryptojacking, phishing, and malicious ads, but also can prevent the privacy-intrusive tracking conducted by companies, governments and other groups that monitor and collect people’s activity as they bank, shop, communicate, and interact online.”

Avast Secure Browser comes equipped with a Security and Privacy Center that makes it easier to control and layer in additional security and privacy features and settings.

Security-and-privacy-center

Easy to turn on, off, or set a specific level of security or privacy, here are five key feature controls in the Security and Privacy Center:

  • Anti-Tracking protects your privacy by preventing websites, advertising companies, and other web services from tracking your online activity. It also automatically prevents scripts from being run, the source of cryptojacking attacks.
  • Anti-Fingerprinting modifies unique browser fingerprint (e.g., browser version, language, add-ons, etc.) to help prevent websites from identifying and tracking you without your consent.
  • Bank Mode prevents cybercriminals from seeing what users type, protecting personal data such as passwords and credit card numbers. This also adds an extra layer of protection for managing your cryptocurrencies.
  • Adblock protects against malicious ads and helps webpages load up to 4 times faster.
  • Extension Guard blocks unwanted add-ons or plugins. Users install only those they
    know and trust.

Get the full feature list here.

Download Avast Secure Browser

Private Browsing & Online Privacy | Avast Essential Guide

Besides opening the door to ransomware, Trojans, and phishing attacks, browsers also give out some of your most private details: credit card info, passwords, websites you have accessed, personal interests, searches, and habits. We’ll talk more about how to fix that, but the first thing you should consider is getting a private browser, even if that means ditching your current one.

Microsoft end support for older versions of Internet Explorer

After January 12th, only the most current version of Internet Explorer available for a supported operating system will receive technical support and security updates. People using Internet Explorer 8, 9, and 10 will no longer receive security or technical updates after Tuesday, January 12th. This means that the older versions of Internet Explorer can be […]

Can shopping extensions help you find the best prices?

Protect your privacy while finding the best online prices. The holiday shopping season is upon us and shoppers are flocking to the Web to find online deals and coupons. Shopping extensions for your web browser can help you find the best prices, but how do you know you are finding a great deal from a SAFE […]

Fake Chrome browser replaces real thing and serves up unwanted ads

Does your Chrome browser seem a little “off”, but you can’t figure out why? Maybe it’s eFast.   Here’s another reason to slow down when installing software, especially free software. A new Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP) disguised as the Google Chrome browser is sneaking onto users computers bundled with legitimate software, hidden deep within the […]