My experience using Brave Browser for a week, part 1

If you are a regular reader of CryptoTrendency (and if you are not, what are you waiting to become one?), you will know about our interest in Brave Browser. The browser based on Blockchain technology, which came to challenge Chrome and Mozilla by changing the business model of browsers. Putting the privacy and security of its users above everything else.

To give you a first-hand opinion about this browser, I have used Brave Browser as my browser of choice for a week.

In order to show you the best and the worst of this platform, which will allow you to make an informed decision.

Getting started in Brave Browser

I must confess that for many years I have been a loyal user of Google Chrome, and Google products in general. Gmail, Drive, Youtube, I personally identify with the brand and what it stands for, to the point that "Don't be evil" has become a motto for me as well.

And despite the many criticisms I have against Google (including contracts with the Department of Defense, and the handling of my personal data), I won't be leaving their products anytime soon.

So even though I'd had approaches at other times with Brave Browser, downloading the app knowing it would become my browser of choice, it felt almost like I was betraying Chrome. Probably a similar feeling to the one I would have if I ever decided to trade in my Android for iOS.

However, the first impression of Brave Browser was so positive for me, that I was soon able to leave this feeling behind, to focus on enjoying all the features that Brave offers me. And which, all in all, have turned out to be a refreshing change, which has kept the best features of Chrome, while adding others of its own creation.

Configuring the browser

As soon as I opened Brave, my first task was to configure the browser with the features I wanted. For which, Brave started by offering to import all the data and settings from my previous browser, an option I declined, as my goal was to have the most authentic Brave Browser experience possible.

that pays you to watch ads while browsing. Again, I declined this option, hoping to test the differences between browsing with Rewards and without Rewards.

Finally, I started customizing the look and feel of my browser, adding the bookmarks and add-ons of my choice. Finding here the first surprise of my experience with Brave Browser. Well, this browser has been configured in such a way that the vast majority of Google Chrome add-ons are compatible with it.

So, very soon I was able to retrieve all the applications that I use in my day to day on the Internet. Including Google Translator, Adobe Acrobat, Grammarly and my favorite theme, so from an aesthetic point of view the change between Chrome and Brave was practically non-existent.

In fact, I used this opportunity to reorganize my bookmarks, and give a cleaner look to my browsing.

The browser's strength: Privacy

At this point, the savvy reader is probably wondering: But didn't you add any ad blockers to your browser? And the truth is that I didn't need to.

Well, although in Chrome I used AdBlocker as a means to avoid annoying advertising while surfing the Internet. Brave comes with its own built-in ad blocker, Brave Shields.

And truth be told, after using it for a week, I can say that Shields is far more effective than any other ad blocker on the Internet. It blocks ads that even other applications can't prevent from appearing, and it does it without any page detecting it.

The best thing is that at no time does a "disable your blocker to continue browsing" warning appear, even on pages that I know use them.

This has meant a significant increase in my browsing speed, as well as a greater peace of mind when surfing the Internet, without having to deal with annoying ads at every turn. This feature also works even when I'm in private mode.

Thanks to which, after only 7 days, Brave has blocked a total of 18,720 ads. A feature that we will continue to explore in the next installments of this series, about my experience with Brave Browser for a week.

Did you like the content?

If so, leave it in the comments box and I will bring more part of the experience.

My name is Silvio Martinez writer in training thanks for your valuable time.