At Cryptocurrency NZ we research on various cryptocurrency topics and frequent numerous tech-related websites. It never fails to amuse me when I encounter ads related to the same subjects after concluding my day—whether it’s on my social media feeds like Facebook, search engines, or virtually every other digital platform I visit.
This experience prompted my transition to the Brave browser. Having been a devoted Chrome user for years, I grew weary of my crypto-related activities trailing me everywhere.
We made the switch to Brave last year, and since then, we haven’t regretted our decision.
Brave Browser
Purchase Cost: Free
Ad Blocker: Yes
Web3 Integration: Yes
Why Cryptocurrency NZ Chooses It
Cryptocurrency NZ embraces the Brave browser wholeheartedly due to its pro-privacy features and innovative functionalities. The built-in ad blocker, coupled with anti-browser fingerprinting capabilities, ensures a secure online experience, aligning with our commitment to safeguarding user data.
What is Brave Browser?
The Brave browser comes with built-in ad and tracker blocking, setting it apart from other browsers that lack this default feature. Upon switching to Brave, we immediately noticed a significant change — We no longer felt like our online activities were being tracked.
Beyond enhancing privacy, blocking ads and trackers also contributes to a faster browsing experience by reducing site load times. Many ads and third-party trackers operate as scripts in the background of websites, causing slowdowns. For instance, Chrome collects your browsing data, enabling Google and its advertising partners to tailor targeted ads.
Brave Browser takes a different approach by downloading only essential elements for websites, resulting in faster loading times compared to browsers like Chrome Browser. This speed advantage is particularly noticeable when handling multiple open tabs.
(P.S. Explore Brave’s claims regarding reduced memory usage, increased speed, and improved battery life when compared to Chrome.)
What makes Brave different from other Browsers?
What sets Brave apart from the browser crowd, in my personal experience, is its unwavering commitment to my online privacy without compromising speed.
The built-in ad blocker and anti-tracking features create a secure digital haven, shielding me from the intrusive web clutter we’ve come to accept as the norm. Earning Basic Attention Tokens (BAT) by engaging with privacy-friendly ads is a game-changer, allowing me to actively support content creators while browsing. The seamless integration of a Tor proxy adds an extra layer of anonymity for those moments when I crave online discretion.
Even with its Chromium foundation, Brave manages to carve its niche, offering a unique blend of privacy, speed, and an opportunity to redefine how we interact with the online world. It’s not just a browser; it’s a personalized digital sanctuary.
Brave's Unique Features
Build-in Adblocker
Brave stands out as a privacy-focused browser right from the start, featuring a pre-installed ad blocker. Located in the top right corner is a small icon depicting a lion, which serves as the integrated tracker and ad blocker. In addition to the built-in ad blocker, Brave also includes a third-party cookie blocker.
Typically, New Zealanders would need to download these features separately. Given the abundance of low-quality or ineffective ad blockers in the market, Brave eliminates the uncertainty by providing the right ad blocking solution out of the box.
Anti-Browser Fingerprinting
Another distinctive feature of this Brave browser is its built-in anti-browser-fingerprinting blocker. This functionality enhances the difficulty of identifying whether I’m using the same system across various accounts or sessions. It achieves this by randomizing info.
Browser fingerprinting involves detecting and analyzing all the unique characteristics of your browser, enabling the identification of users based on these distinct features. It’s akin to a biological fingerprint but tailored for browsers.
Test your browser with these following links:
Build-in Tor Proxy
For individuals deeply concerned about their privacy, seeking to safeguard even their metadata, the Brave browser offers a built-in Tor proxy. Utilizing the Tor network becomes crucial for those who rely on this anonymity to access necessary sites.
In certain countries, governmental restrictions hinder whistleblowers or journalists from transmitting their messages, making Tor the preferred means of shielding oneself from government surveillance or internet service providers.
Build on top of Chromium
There are both positive and negative aspects to consider with the Brave browser. On the positive side, nearly all websites are compatible with it. However, the downside is that if there’s an exploit in Chromium, about 60% of all browsers, including Brave, are vulnerable.
On a positive note, most browser extensions designed for Chromium also function seamlessly on the Brave browser. However, from my perspective, a drawback lies in the Chromium-browser-based developer tools.
Super Fast
The Brave browser stands out as one of the quickest browsers I’ve experienced.
As soon as I click on the Brave browser icon, it swiftly appears on my screen, surpassing even the immediacy of Google Chrome. Additionally, internet browsing becomes notably faster on Brave due to its efficient blocking of unnecessary advertisements, leading to an accelerated overall browsing experience.
The Reward System (Basic Attention Token)
This stands out as the most distinctive feature within this browser. Given that the browser blocks advertisements, content creators face challenges in earning money for their efforts. The Basic Attention Token (BAT) aims to address this issue and several others.
Basic Attention Token (BAT) is a cryptocurrency awarded for your attention. Enabling this feature allows you to earn rewards for viewing privacy-friendly and non-intrusive ads. The BAT tokens received can be utilized to support your favorite creators, such as Wikipedia.
Furthermore, you have the option to withdraw the earned BAT tokens from ad views to your bank account. However, it’s essential to manage expectations, as the earnings from viewing advertisements may not amount to a substantial sum
