What Is Brave?
Author: Domeny.ForSale editorial team Published
In brief: Brave is a free web browser that blocks many ads and user-tracking mechanisms by default. It is based on Chromium, the same project used by Google Chrome, so it supports many of the same extensions. It may be a good choice if you want to reduce tracking without installing extra tools, but it does not provide complete anonymity.
How does Brave work, and what does it have in common with Chrome?
A browser is a program you use to open websites, use online applications and download files. Brave serves the same purpose as Chrome, Firefox or Safari. It is available for computers and mobile devices, although the range of features may vary between operating systems.
On computers and Android, Brave uses Chromium — the open-source project that forms the basis of many browsers. As a result, the way it displays pages and handles web applications is similar to Chrome. The desktop version also lets you install extensions from the Chrome Web Store; however, you should not assume that extensions have the same support on a phone.
The most important difference concerns privacy settings. Brave has a built-in protection system called Shields, which limits ads and tracking without requiring a separate blocker. Using Brave does not require creating an account or enabling cryptocurrency-related features.
What does Brave Shields block?
Brave Shields limits third-party ads, tracking scripts and cookies used for cross-site tracking, among other things. Cookies are small pieces of data that websites store in your browser; they can keep you logged in, but they can also help identify you across different services. Brave does not treat all cookies alike.
The browser also limits fingerprinting, which means identifying a device based on a combination of its characteristics, such as screen specifications or information shared by the browser. This does not mean that every identification method will be successfully blocked, however.
For example, you open a website that loads ads and tools from several external companies alongside an article. Brave may stop some of those connections. As a result, the page may download less data and run more smoothly, but the effect depends on the particular website, device and internet connection — it is not guaranteed.
Stronger protection can sometimes interfere with a website. An embedded video, form or payment component may fail to appear. You can change Shields settings for an individual website instead of disabling protection everywhere.
Privacy does not mean anonymity
Brave limits data collection by some parties, but it does not automatically hide all your activity. A website still receives your IP address, and a service you log into can link your actions to your account. Your internet service provider can still observe some information about your connections; HTTPS encryption protects the content of the transmission, not all its metadata.
A regular private window primarily limits the local browsing history and session data left behind after you close it. It is not a tool for hiding your activity from your employer, network administrator or the website you visit. Downloaded files and saved bookmarks may remain on the device.
The desktop version of Brave also offers private windows with Tor, which route traffic through a network of relays, helping hide your IP address from the website. These are not equivalent to Tor Browser, a browser designed with anonymity in mind. If revealing your identity could pose a real threat, do not base your decision solely on the label “private window”.
Brave Search, Rewards and BAT — separate features
Brave Search is a search engine, while Brave is a browser. A search engine finds pages when you enter a query; a browser opens them. You can use Brave Search in another browser or choose a different search engine in Brave.
Brave Rewards is an optional programme involving Brave ads and the BAT token, or Basic Attention Token. The ads in this programme are separate from the ads blocked on websites you visit. You do not need to enable Rewards to use the browser and Shields.
The availability of rewards, account requirements and payment rules depend on your country and the programme’s current terms. Check these in Brave’s official documentation before activating it. BAT is a cryptoasset with a fluctuating value, so the programme should not be treated as a reliable source of income.
How can you check whether Brave suits your needs?
You do not have to remove your existing browser straight away. The most useful test is to try it on the websites you actually use:
- Download Brave from the developer’s official website or an official app store.
- Import bookmarks if you need them, and install only essential extensions.
- Test email, banking, video conferencing, shopping and the tools you use at work.
- If a website does not work, change the Shields settings for that website only and reload it. Do not ignore warnings about certificates or connection security.
Brave is a reasonable option for someone who wants many ads and trackers blocked from the first launch. However, if you work on a managed computer, first confirm whether your company allows this browser. Set it as your default only after testing your most important everyday tasks.
See also: What Is FreeBSD?
Read also
