Chromium browser
The Full History of Avast Secure Browser
The history of Avast Secure Browser is not one of an independent project, but rather a strategic product born from an established cybersecurity giant. Its lineage can be traced through a name change and a shift in focus.
1. The Origin: AVG Secure Browser (2016-2017)
The browser that would become Avast Secure Browser was originally launched as AVG Secure Browser shortly after Avast acquired AVG Technologies in 2016 for $1.3 billion.
Strategic Rationale: The acquisition was aimed at consolidating user bases and expanding Avast’s security portfolio. The AVG Secure Browser was a pre-existing product that fit perfectly into Avast’s strategy of creating a “walled garden” of security products.
Initial Purpose: The browser was designed as a safe, privacy-focused environment for AVG (and later, Avast) antivirus customers. It was built to integrate seamlessly with the antivirus software, providing a unified security experience.
2. The Rebranding: AVG Becomes Avast (2017-2018)
In 2017, Avast began the process of rebranding the AVG Secure Browser to Avast Secure Browser.
Consolidation: This move was part of a larger effort to merge the AVG brand into the more globally recognized Avast brand. The underlying technology remained largely the same, but the branding and marketing were aligned with Avast.
Foundation: Like its predecessor and most modern browsers, Avast Secure Browser is built on the Chromium open-source project. This gave it immediate compatibility with the vast web ecosystem, including Chrome extensions.
3. Evolution and Key Features: The “Security-First” Browser
Avast Secure Browser differentiated itself by baking security and privacy features directly into the core of the browsing experience, many of which were powered by Avast’s extensive threat intelligence network.
Key Features and Developments:
Privacy & Security: Includes features like anti-tracking, anti-fingerprinting, and a built-in VPN for enhanced privacy.
Bank Mode: Isolates banking sessions to protect against keyloggers and other malicious software
Ad Blocker: Automatically blocks ads and trackers to improve browsing speed and reduce distractions.
Extension Guard: Prevents unauthorized or malicious browser extensions from compromising security
Cross-Platform Availability: Available for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android devices
Banking Mode: This became a flagship feature. It launches a special, isolated, and hardened desktop to protect online banking and shopping sessions from keyloggers and other malware.
Adblocker: Built-in ad blocking not only improved page load times and reduced clutter but also served as a security measure by blocking malicious ads (malvertising).
Anti-Phishing & Anti-Tracking: The browser integrated Avast’s real-time threat detection to block access to known phishing and malicious websites. It also included strong anti-tracking capabilities to prevent websites from following users across the web.
Extension Guard: A unique feature that automatically scans and monitors installed browser extensions for malicious behavior.
Password Manager: Integrated a password manager to encourage the use of strong, unique passwords, synced securely across devices for users with an Avast account.
VPN Integration: The browser deeply integrated with Avast’s own SecureLine VPN service, offering a one-click button to enable the VPN for private browsing.
4. The Present Status and Controversies (2024)
As of 2024, Avast Secure Browser remains an actively developed product, but its history is not without controversy.
Active Development: It continues to be updated regularly, following the Chromium release cycle and adding new privacy and security features.
The Data Collection Controversy: Avast and its subsidiary Jumpshot were involved in a significant scandal (2020) where it was revealed that the company was collecting and selling detailed, anonymized user browsing data through its browser extensions and antivirus software. While Avast shut down Jumpshot and stated that the Secure Browser itself did not sell user data, the incident damaged trust in the brand’s privacy claims.
Niche Position: Its primary user base consists of existing Avast antivirus customers who are looking for a simple, integrated, and security-hardened browsing experience. It is not widely adopted by the general public as a standalone browser.
Legacy: Avast Secure Browser’s legacy is that of a “value-added” product from a security company. It successfully demonstrates how core security features can be integrated directly into the browser. However, its history also serves as a cautionary tale about the potential conflicts between a company’s business model and its users’ privacy.
Summary Timeline
2016: Avast acquires AVG, inheriting the AVG Secure Browser.
2017-2018: Rebranded as Avast Secure Browser.
2018-Present: Continuous development focused on integrating Avast’s security features like Banking Mode, Extension Guard, and anti-phishing.
2020: Jumpshot data collection scandal impacts the parent company’s reputation.
2022: Avast itself is acquired by NortonLifeLock, forming a new entity called Gen Digital Inc., under which the browser continues to operate.
Present Day: A niche, security-focused browser primarily promoted to and used by the existing Avast (now Gen) customer base.
In essence, the history of Avast Secure Browser is a chapter in the larger story of a cybersecurity company adapting to a world where the browser is the primary interface for both work and threats. It is a tool designed to create a secure ecosystem for its users, though its journey has been marked by the complex balance between providing security and managing user data.
