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Private browser

addermc

addermc

Member
Need some suggestions for a Private secure browser with downloader for Android. Preferable Not chromium based. And not Firefox or Firefox focus. Just don't like the browsers. Presently using Osiris browser for general search, It's listed as"Private", but don't think so. Bromite browser for more private search (but chromium based) and Tor browser for Android. Also Proton and Windscribe VPN's. But I'm looking for something that has Nothing to do with google or Chrome. Thanks for any suggestions on this
 
addermc said:
Need some suggestions for a Private secure browser with downloader for Android. Preferable Not chromium based. And not Firefox or Firefox focus. Just don't like the browsers. Presently using Osiris browser for general search, It's listed as"Private", but don't think so. Bromite browser for more private search (but chromium based) and Tor browser for Android. Also Proton and Windscribe VPN's. But I'm looking for something that has Nothing to do with google or Chrome. Thanks for any suggestions on this
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Kind of severely limiting your options. Also, not sure if you know that tor is Firefox based. Why the problem with chromium? It's open source and has been intensely audited. If it's Google that makes you skittish, remember that while Google Chrome is based on chromium, chromium is not Chrome.
 
Yes I know Tor is Firefox based. And I use Bromite browser which is chromium based, but it makes me uncomfortable that even though I'm on Bromite with VPN and privacy badger,https everywhere,cookie deletion and unlock(think that's right) and then I go into chrome. All the searches I did in Bromite history is there on chrome history. Why? Maybe that's the question I should actually have asked. Still don't want chromium. And almost every "Tech"site that all have a "# of best private browser for 2020". First they all basically have same list exception of couple different. Thanks
 
Davdi said:
Chromium is the open source base for Chrome, but with all trace of Google's branding and tracking removed. I use DuckDuckGo's browser https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.duckduckgo.mobile.android&hl=en_US
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Thanks for responding. I know all about chromium and as far as DDG, not comfortable with a owner who's prior project stored real names and addresses of it's user's without telling them and then sells the protect. With all Collected data. And DDG,Does collect info. Have a hard time believing their reason,"For Misspellings" For engine using yippy and gigablast.
 
addermc said:
even though I'm on Bromite with VPN and privacy badger,https everywhere,cookie deletion and unlock(think that's right) and then I go into chrome. All the searches I did in Bromite history is there on chrome history. Why?
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Are you logged in to your Google account in that browser, maybe using the Play Store? That could explain it.
 
MoodyBlues said:
Are you logged in to your Google account in that browser, maybe using the Play Store? That could explain it.
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Interesting, when you say logged into google account in that browser" are you referring to time using the Bromite browser and having logged into google account in it? Did that make sense? Actually I don't remember ever logging into google account while using Bromite browser.(Then again I constantly forget where my keys are. And usually I'm holding them. Stop Laughing!! And here's another stupid point, I actually have No idea how to log out of google account, Gmail, YouTube are any G items. Honestly, I don' think I've Ever logged out of Anything. Future apologies for the headaches y'all will get dealing with, not a very bright person.
 
Chromium is an Open Source project but it's important to note that it's also maintained primarily by Google. Blink, the web engine that Chromium is based on, is also maintained by Google.
Several years ago, Microsoft's Internet Explorer was the dominant web browser. Back then web developers focused on supporting Trident/Active X, Microsoft's non-standard, proprietary web technology, which created a limiting situation where having an online presence was dependent on what Microsoft dictated. Now the focus is on Blink. So yeah, tout Chromium because of its Open Source roots but it only exists within Google's corporate oversight. We had a period of several years of explosive Internet growth and it was diversity vs monoculture, but eventually diversity lost.
Right now Apple's WebKit and Mozilla's Gecko web engines are the last holdouts so there is that. Use a Chromium-based browser because you have a need to, but don't ignore the fact that once we intentionally create a situation that involves a single point of failure, that's not going to end well. We're all a lot more dependent on online services these days so back when some IE-based issue popped up, it wasn't a big deal.
 
svim said:
Chromium is an Open Source project but it's important to note that it's also maintained primarily by Google. Blink, the web engine that Chromium is based on, is also maintained by Google.
Several years ago, Microsoft's Internet Explorer was the dominant web browser. Back then web developers focused on supporting Trident/Active X, Microsoft's non-standard, proprietary web technology, which created a limiting situation where having an online presence was dependent on what Microsoft dictated. Now the focus is on Blink. So yeah, tout Chromium because of its Open Source roots but it only exists within Google's corporate oversight. We had a period of several years of explosive Internet growth and it was diversity vs monoculture, but eventually diversity lost.
Right now Apple's WebKit and Mozilla's Gecko web engines are the last holdouts so there is that. Use a Chromium-based browser because you have a need to, but don't ignore the fact that once we intentionally create a situation that involves a single point of failure, that's not going to end well. We're all a lot more dependent on online services these days so back when some IE-based issue popped up, it wasn't a big deal.
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Uum okay, I think? All in all, good information. But I'm more interested in a NON Chromium browser. And it's the google snakes I'm trying to get away from using. Searching for private browser and then email (Not Gmail)then message app. Cause I'm pretty sure the pre installed message app is googles snake. I've done disabled 9 or 12 googles apps. Do more but I'm sure some would affect phone system.thanks
 
Take a look at the Via Browser app. It's not based on Chromium, and it's Open Source. It does need to be noted that Tu Yafeng, its developer, is sourced out of China.
It's a solid browser, compiled from well written code as it's responsive and resource efficient. (I've been using it on a dated KitKat phone) It gets good numbers if you check it using:
https://html5test.com/
https://browseraudit.com/

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=mark.via.gp&hl=en_US
https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/tu-yafeng/via-browser-fast-light-geek-best-choice/
https://github.com/tuyafeng/Via
 
addermc said:
Uum okay, I think? All in all, good information. But I'm more interested in a NON Chromium browser. And it's the google snakes I'm trying to get away from using. Searching for private browser and then email (Not Gmail)then message app. Cause I'm pretty sure the pre installed message app is googles snake. I've done disabled 9 or 12 googles apps. Do more but I'm sure some would affect phone system.thanks
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For email I would suggest you look at ProtonMail, they even have an onion address for complete anonymity.

https://protonirockerxow.onion/login

Messaging you might check out Signal, is open source and well audited, it can replace messaging, and additionally, if the receiver also has signal it will encrypt. The down side is that you use their central servers, where they store messages. The phone company does, too, of course, even signal encrypted messages, but now your messages are in both places. Anyway, signal is at the store, and is a popular whatsapp replacement for those wanting secure messaging.
 
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svim said:
Take a look at the Via Browser app. It's not based on Chromium, and it's Open Source. It does need to be noted that Tu Yafeng, its developer, is sourced out of China.
It's a solid browser, compiled from well written code as it's responsive and resource efficient. (I've been using it on a dated KitKat phone) It gets good numbers if you check it using:
https://html5test.com/
https://browseraudit.com/

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=mark.via.gp&hl=en_US
https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/tu-yafeng/via-browser-fast-light-geek-best-choice/
https://github.com/tuyafeng/Via
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Hey Thanks for the reply. I had Via for about a week was kinda glitch some and then one day acted like someone pulled the plug. Here's a quick rundown. Vivaldi, Qwant, Firefox, Firefox focus, Osiris, Dolphin zero,clitz,Foss, presently Bromite and Brave. Also Yippy, Qwant, gigablast search engine. Also has anyone heard of search engine called "Armoured View". Please if you know of any more,start typing or texting or whatever the kids say these days. Thanks.
 
addermc said:
Hey Thanks for the reply. I had Via for about a week was kinda glitch some and then one day acted like someone pulled the plug. Here's a quick rundown. Vivaldi, Qwant, Firefox, Firefox focus, Osiris, Dolphin zero,clitz,Foss, presently Bromite and Brave. Also Yippy, Qwant, gigablast search engine. Also has anyone heard of search engine called "Armoured View". Please if you know of any more,start typing or texting or whatever the kids say these days. Thanks.
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I would avoid anything that's not open source. I know you don't want to use a chromium based browser 'cause chromium is the basis of Google's chrome, but is ignorant bliss all that much better? Chromium is just the engine.
 
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Opera, however, dropped their own engine a few years ago and are now also based on Chromium, which the OP is trying to avoid.

Unfortunately, as explained previously, there are not many alternatives. The new Firefox is based on GeckoView (it's very diferent from the old one, I don't know whether the OP has tried it). Early Android browsers were often Webkit based, but I don't know how many are now: most seem to have moved to Chromium.
 
Also note in addition to Opera now being just another Chromium alternative, it's original Norwegian owners and developers sold it a few years ago (late 2016 or so). It's now managed and maintained by a Chinese consortium.
I'm bummed out to see how Opera has devolved. For years it had a minuscule market share but was a leader in web browser innovation. All kinds of things that are basic features in almost all browsers, like tabs, were introduced to the masses by the Opera browser.
 
dontpanicbobby said:
i liked Firefox before it got complicated.
I'm just a guy.
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I used to use Mozilla and then Firefox and thunderbird, and then one day I found that their company ousted the ceo because of woke politics. Then I deleted Firefox and thunderbird from all of my devices.
 
Yeah No to Opera New Chinese owner, company has one of the worst security violation imaginable and the prior owner of the VPN they purchased is as bad. Thanks to a Tech works for a sister (well she's the boss) kinda hinted around about ditching chromium based browsers and seek alternate. Asked him what he used, but wasn't authorized to tell me. I said it's your browser to choose and he said"Yeah but it's There phone. Pretty sure referring to employer. And getting her (sister) for info is about as easy as asking a girlfriends dad is it ok to do unspeakably things to his daughter. But the Tech suggested it and been trying multiple browsers since. And some have setting for privacy that seems like over kill. So makes me Leary of the browser. Like I've heard "Always follow your instincts"
 
Trom said:
I would avoid anything that's not open source. I know you don't want to use a chromium based browser 'cause chromium is the basis of Google's chrome, but is ignorant bliss all that much better? Chromium is just the engine.
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Thanks for the response. And the"ignorant bilss, all that much better"part (which I really don't get) when I get a suggestion from this individual, specifically for who he works for, and projects he's associated with. Yeah I kinda listen to what he suggest. And I been looking to get rid of google as much as possible. Which everyone knows is almost impossible. And I say Almost, but Not impossible. I really wish I could get into sisters phone and post what is in there. Freaky! And I ain't talking the Good kind of freaky either.
 
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