Initially, Avast Secure Browser was bundled with paid versions of Avast Antivirus. In March 2016, Avast started bundling it with the free version as well. Avast Secure Browser was originally called "SafeZone" before being revamped and rebranded as "Avast Secure Browser" in early 2018. Before the revamp and rename, SafeZone's design was similar to that of the Opera browser. In December 2015, Tavis Ormandy identified a security vulnerability that could allow hackers to insert malicious JavaScript code into the browsers of Avast SafeZone Browser users. Avast quickly deployed a temporary fix and repaired the vulnerability a few days later.
Features
Besides the features inherent to Chromium, Avast Secure Browser includes the following features:
Bank Mode: A browsing mode that is designed to protect the user against "a potentially hijacked host or network, and also prevents keyloggers and network-based eavesdropping from capturing any ." Bank Mode automatically activates when it detects that the user has reached a banking website or a payment page, although it can be manually invoked. It runs from an alternate desktop that is isolated from other processes that cannot be called within Bank Mode.
Passwords: A password manager and form auto-filler. It also suggests allegedly secure passwords on sign up forms. Passwords allows the user to sync passwords across browsers, desktop and mobile via the Avast Passwords add-ons and apps that are synced to the user's Avast Account.
Video Downloader: A plug-in that offers to download videos being watched by the user on selected websites. It allows the user to choose video quality and, in some cases, to download the soundtrack of the video as an audio file.
Anti-tracking and anti-fingerprinting: The software prevents the collection of information about the user's computer or browsing history that could be used to build a profile of the user.
Avast Secure Browser also blocks the user from accessing known malicious webpages and extensions. All of the software's features are controlled from a central user interface called the "Security & Privacy Center."
