Brave can be considered a ‘mature’ version of Google Chrome, when there are special features for those who spend a lot of time surfing the web.“You are not a product — Stop using web browsers if they consider the new user to be a browser.”
These are strong advertising from the Brave developers — a web browser built from the Chromium core similar to Google Chrome, but putting the privacy, security of users first.
Because it is based on the Chromium core, Brave has all the features like Chrome, including extensions, compatibility with Google services on many devices and high speed. But why did I choose Brave over Google Chrome, and why did the web browser of the world’s leading technology company be abandoned by many users after a period of use?
Reasons to ‘avoid’ Google Chrome
After the leaks of information from technology companies, more and more people are worried about their privacy online. Perhaps the only solution is to limit what big companies (like Google) know about themselves, so that when incidents happen, we will not be affected too much.
As an Android user, I also revealed my location information anytime and anywhere (Google collects location information even when users have turned off location), it also knows their shopping habits, smartphone usage habits through ‘user habits analysis’ software. The use of applications by many companies, helps users to divide personal information into many areas, avoiding the situation for a single company to have a complete profile of users.
But if you don’t care about your privacy, you can also experiment with other web browsers to test the speed and experience unique features that Chrome doesn’t have. As mentioned, Brave is built on the same Chromium core as Google Chrome, Vivaldi, Opera and soon will be Microsoft Edge, but it itself has some good points that other browsers do not.
Google Chrome has the ability to store passwords, very handy but also hard to trust
Another aspect that needs to be mentioned is Chrome’s password storage system, which is very handy when filling out information when users log in to their accounts. Storing all passwords in a single software is very dangerous, because if the bad guys get into the Google system, they can capture every user’s account.
LastPass interface, password management software for multiple accounts
There are now more highly secure solutions, like LastPass and 1Password, that work independently of a web browser. The software can also be used with many different browsers such as Brave, Vivaldi and Opera, so I can trust that the account information has been stored and encrypted by a security company. , instead of trusting any of the above browsers.
Experience Brave reality
The first feeling when I downloaded and opened Brave for the first time was that it had a 99.99% Chrome-like interface! It is still known that both browsers are developed from a Chromium kernel, but Brave is more Chrome-like than any other browser on the market. Some of the ‘dotted’ in the address bar and back button, moving forward are only minor, minor changes. We can also transfer the entire browsing history and settings made in Chrome to Brave, so changing the browser becomes extremely easy.
Brave’s first installation steps
As a Chrome user since I bought my first computer, I immediately became accustomed to the interface of Brave. You can also go to the Flags system (chrome: // flags) to customize the experimental features — I’m here to turn off the Smooth Scrolling feature that I find very annoying on Chrome. Along with that, users can also go to the Chrome Store to download software extensions (Extensions), themes (Theme).
The interface of Brave and Chrome is almost identical
The menu section has the same interface, although Brave has a few new options
The Flags (chrome: // flags) system works perfectly
2 differences in exterior design I realize is that Brave has a new Tab opening page (New Tab), which is accompanied by data on user protection (will be mentioned later) and is analyzed. ready dark theme. Dark theme actually only changes the address bar, not the Dark Mode, but Chrome does not, so we can not blame Brave.
It’s about the external interface, but in terms of features, Brave has a lot more, there are those that can replace the software that needs to be installed in Chrome. First we have to mention ad blocking system and tracking software built. This software is very effective, not inferior to the AdBlock Plus I’m using in Chrome, and especially also has the ability to open ads (white list) of the websites I want, block videos from playing (auto-play) ).
Ad blocking and tracking software
Block even annoying auto-play videos!
After one day of use, Brave blocked more than 2200 ads, saving 4 minutes of his life!
The ability to block ads of Brave has 1 great advantage and 1 drawback … equally great. First, Brave’s blocking software does not tell websites that users are blocking ads, so these websites do not show signs that ‘insist’ users to open the software so they can show them.
With Brave, I don’t see sites that ‘plead’ to place ads like Chrome
On the contrary, I have a disadvantage that Brave’s ability to block ads … is too effective, so some websites that use plugins to click Like and Share quickly to Facebook are blocked because they cannot open the page. Pop-up!
Brave effectively blocks ads, so Facebook’s plugin doesn’t work either!
The next software I think is not very useful, especially in Vietnam that is Brave Rewards. This feature allows users to top up, then donate to those who have registered with Brave. I tried with the Youtube channels I was watching, news sites like The Verge, Mashable or NYTimes were unusable, so this feature was useless.
Brave Rewards feature
Being advertised for people who like privacy, Brave also has many measures to protect users. In addition to blocking tracking software as mentioned above, we also have a mode called ‘Open a private page with Tor’. So what is this mode different from the privacy mode already available on Chrome, and also available on Brave?
The security window with Tor has a characteristic ‘onion’ purple, similar to the traditional Tor browser
Google itself has also informed users that its security mode will not save browsing history, turn off Cookies, but will not protect users from carriers (ISPs), school data storage systems. or company. Therefore, although this mode ‘makes sense’ that the user is not being followed, those who have enough power can still “dig” out what we have done.
In contrast, Brave offers users a mode similar to Tor — a browser designed for users who need maximum security. To explain briefly, when users use Tor, the information transferred between the personal computer and the server will go through many different network nodes, each node is encrypted, so it is highly confidential. . Many people think of Tor as thinking about deep-web and unauthorized activities, but in essence, Tor is only designed to protect the confidentiality of information, and whether wrongdoing or not is done by humans. use!
Brave Chromium browser window (left) compared to the Tor window (right)
When you switch to using the Tor window, the browser will default to the Duck Duck Go search page. This site has two advantages compared to Google, which does not store user information to increase security and always put search results in a balanced manner.
What are balanced search results? For a long time, Google was criticized for showing search results to advertise its products, or to promote its political bias, which should be considered a biased search page ( bias). Duck Duck Go, on the other hand, does not advertise Google features, nor does it have political incentives, so once users have searched, there will be information from different dimensions, not what Google wants. user view.
Search page for Duck Duck Go
But also to say, web browsing with the Tor window is a lot slower than the Chromium window! Due to the fact that information is transmitted through many network nodes, there is a huge delay, opening a website is always 2 to 3 times longer than normal. So when browsing with Brave users have 2 options: high speed or absolute security.
Compare the speed of regular Brave and Tor
Last, but not least, is the ability to download Torrent files right in your browser! ΜTorrent or Bittorent software has been accused by some users of using users’ computer resources to mine cryptocurrencies, although most sites also say that the feature has been removed, but using Available in the browser is still a lot more convenient.
Download Torrent right from the browser, no external software required
Version for smartphones
Different from another Chromium core web browser, Vivaldi (also very famous), Brave has more versions for mobile devices (tablets, smartphones). This version has less features than the desktop version, but still has the ability to block ads, track and have more search page options than Chrome (including Duck Duck Go).
Mobile brave has the ability to block ads effectively
Selecting Google search sites (left) and Brave (right)
The new Tab opening interface is also different from the computer version — Google Chrome (left) and Brave (right)
In essence, Chrome also has the feature to block ads on smartphones, but has the ability to block ineffective Brave. When you visit a site with ads, Chrome still allows that page to show the border of the ad before blocking the graphic, so the website will be jumped up and down twice. As for Brave, that ad was blocked immediately, we never saw it appear!
Epilogue
After the first week of switching from Chrome to Brave, I felt very satisfied. During this time I only found a single error with the Facebook plugin, but in return received additional security features, and especially the ability to download Torrent without having to use an external application.
Does anyone need to switch to Brave or other Chromium-based browsers instead of Google Chrome? If you do not use the above features, or do not feel that what you do on the Internet needs too high security, then Chrome is still able to meet. In contrast, for those who do ‘sensitive jobs’ such as network administration, accounting, politicians, … trying out options like Brave is not a bad idea.
Why did Brave accept BAT?
Existing digital ad delivery depends on tracking browsing history, cookies , search questions and third parties. Brave does not support these. Integrating BAT into the browser involves the implementation of the BAT Ads system. The system displays ads to users based on locally stored information. With this data, ad targeting will be performed locally.
This Brave browser model promotes privacy protection. Browsing history is kept private, because all the data needed to deliver appropriate ads never leaves your system.
Making inappropriate ads is one of the reasons many users hate ads. With the BAT model, users can choose the ads they want to see. Brave’s BAT platform protects the anonymity of users while ensuring the relevancy of the ads they view.
Therefore, it can be said that the BAT represents a fundamental review of how digital advertising is delivered.
Benefits of Brave browser
Brave browser is becoming popular. Brave has been considered a successor to Google Chrome . Brave seems to be the solution to the challenges that appear in regular browsers. Here are some unique benefits of using Brave.
Default ad blocker
Brave automatically blocks ads. Users no longer need to search for the perfect ad blocker on the web. The ad blocking feature automatically protects the device from malware and tracking by advertisers. Brave is also working on a plan to replace potentially harmful ads.
Brave’s ad tracking feature is very accurate. Users are suggested to have appropriate ads because Brave performs tracking using local data. If an ad is unrelated to the user, it will be removed. Therefore, users receive appropriate ads based on this model. User data remains in the device because no third party is involved in this process.
Although Brave blocks third-party cookies, first-party cookies are not blocked by default. Users have the option to block or enable cookies on a given site.
Improve privacy while browsing the web
The automatic ad blocking feature allows users to browse safely. Brave does not have access to user identification data. Data related to anonymous aggregated advertising campaigns is used, but cannot be retrieved back to user devices.
Brave also comes with extra features to enhance privacy while browsing the web. Combining HTTPS everywhere allows you to use web encryption whenever possible.
The Fingerprinting feature prevents third parties from tracking user activity. This feature can be enabled in the Settings tab .
Brave browser loading speed is also very fast. Brave’s fast browsing is due to its lack of third-party advertising support. Therefore, there is very little content to download before visiting a favorite website. However, Brave’s rendering speed is a bit lower than that of Google Chrome and Mozilla.
You will be paid to browse the web if desired
In the past, getting paid to browse the web was a distant dream. However, Brave browser has made that dream come true. All you have to do is activate Brave ads. Watch ads and get 15% of revenue. Content creators will be supported by users who love the content. All payments are in BAT token format.
How does the Brave browser work?
Brave browser is available on iOS, Android, macOS, Windows and Linux platforms. Users on these platforms can browse safely and quickly. Brave does its job well without using much computer memory. Unlike most other popular browsers, Brave uses very little RAM (only about 170MB RAM). One important thing to note: Brave is a Chromium-based browser. Browsers built on this platform are “notorious” for consuming a lot of memory, but Brave is an exception.
A Reddit user review of the Brave browser after 4 months of use
A Reddit user has been using the Brave browser for 4 months, and also uses IE, Chrome and Mozilla in parallel to evaluate which browser is smoother and more perfect. Initially, Brave had a number of problems, but in the new versions, almost all of them were fixed. And after using all browsers every day for 4 months, this user concluded that Brave was the most prominent and №1 on the list, for the following main reasons:
In terms of security: Switch from HTTP to HTTPS (so there’s no need to worry when paying with credit cards or buying something, because Brave takes care of HTTPS).
Block scripts, trackers and ads: That’s why web pages don’t freeze, lag and freeze when browsing. This user has encountered many problems with IE, Chrome and Mozilla, in which websites such as Forbes, CNN, Slickdeals and Coinmarketcap did not respond without clarifying the cause. This problem has never happened on Brave. The reason is that Brave blocks scripts, ads and trackers. Brave provides users with extremely smooth browsing experience.
Has a great dashboard, showing how many ads, trackers and scripts have been blocked.
This user has not yet considered the BAT payment factor. As mentioned above, when Brave created BAT Ads, users could earn a little bit in BAT, while contributing to content creators, Youtubers and many websites. This can be considered a revolution.
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