A Look at Avast's Own Browser: SafeZone Browser
It's been a while since I tried Avast antivirus. It was personally my favorite antivirus until the release of Windows 10 and found no big use for it after. As Windows 10 users (if you are like me), we will admit Windows Defender, that built-in Windows malware protection has proved to be more effective and in a sense you may not really need an extra third-party antivirus software if you continue to update Windows Defender.
For no convincing reason, I decided to give Avast antivirus a try and without my knowledge a new browser icon was created on my desktop after Avast installation. The icon indicates 'Avast SafeZone Browser'.
At first glance you'd think it another feature built into Avast antivirus but this a browser that automatically installs when a user install the latest Avast antivirus and what could perhaps be annoying is installing such additional software without letting the user know.
Avast SafeZone was actually a mere Chrome extension made by Avast that provided a full privacy when a user opened an address to any bank service online.
SafeZone is now full independent browser based on the Chromium Project. So underneath it's right to say it's Chrome Browser but a modified and somewhat light version of Chrome. We've seen similar Chromium based browsers emerge like most of use now are familiar with Opera Browser or Torch Browser and so many others out there... all Chromium based. And because SafeZone is Chromium based, it'll support all Chrome extensions.
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As it's name suggests and the fact that it's built by the creators of one the best antivirus software around, Avast SafeZone is built on the core foundation of privacy and security. For some reason, running Avast SafeZone makes you feel safe, even when in the deep web you're protected. And it's not just the feeling but the browser itself comes with a few useful features. From a built-in Ad-blocker to block annoying Ads on sites to Video Downloader to let you save video content from streaming sites like YouTube, Webpage filter to prevent access to any unsafe sites, Password manager to safely keep and remember all passwords you enter into any login web form and most importantly Avast Bank Mode: what looks to be the most secure feature to use when doing online banking or transactions.
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Perhaps the most useful features here are those that aim to bring total security and privacy like Bank Mode. Whenever you use SafeZone to browse the Internet, it automatically opens banking sites in Bank Mode. Bank Mode isolates your session and protects it from those that could log your keystrokes, eavesdrop on your network, and capture any of your passwords or other personal data. This mode also disables Windows built-in screen capture. You can also manually open Bank Mode on any site with a simple click on the designated icon at the top right corner.
If you have been using other browsers like Firefox or Chrome and wish to use SafeZone as default browser, SafeZone will also let you import all your bookmarks and passwords from those browsers so you don't have to begin afresh.
Quick summary of what SafeZone offers:
SafeZone will:
- Filter out web pages that have a poor reputation
- Block annoying ads
- Allow you to download videos directly from video hosting sites so you can enjoy them anytime.
- Stop malicious extensions from being added to your browser
- Protect you on banking sites by isolating your browser session so that it can’t be tracked
Again, to get SafeZone, you will have to get the latest Avast Antivirus. You can try the free version. It has proven to work fine for me and offers good protection. It becomes more effective if you create a free Avast account. You can leave a comment to let us know what you think about SafeZone.
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