Hey everybody. I’m somewhat new to the field of privacy, but I am eager to learn. Right now I am wondering what mobile web browser to use for everyday activities. I’m running GrapheneOS. Options that often come to mind:

  • Tor
  • Firefox Focus (= Firefox Klar in German)
  • IronFox (formerly Mull Browser)
  • Cromite
  • Vanadium

I feel like I simply don’t know enough about the underlaying mechanisms to elaborate which might be better and which might be worse. Feel free to teach me!

  • Voxel@feddit.org
    11·
    22 hours ago

    I recommend Fennec by F-Droid, a FOSS fork of Firefox out of the options listed. I would adjust the settings within the GUI, such as setting tracking protection to Strict, and install uBlock Origin.

    IronFox is, sadly, somewhat extreme and not suitable for non-tech-savvy users and those who don’t want to deal with regular breakage.

    Vanadium sadly lacks a proper content blocker integration.

    • freijon@lemmy.zip
      1·
      19 hours ago

      I’m using this unofficial Helium build. It’s basically Vanadium + Helium patches with Extension support. Ublock Origin works like a charm.

      • Voxel@feddit.org
        1·
        18 hours ago

        From the linked GitHub webpage:

        All builds are experimental, so unexpected issues may occur. Helium Browser for Android only attempts to improve security and privacy where possible. For better protection on Android, you should instead use GrapheneOS with Vanadium, which additionally integrates patches into Android System WebView and provides significant kernel and memory management hardening on the OS level.

        I wouldn’t recommend browsers developed by a single person and in an experimental state-part of the reason why I don’t recommend Cromite.

        The original Vanadium is great, but the lack of proper content-blocker integration is a big privacy trade-off, in my opinion. Vanadium only provides a per-domain blocker solution, which is based on the very small set of EasyList.

        A good Chromium-based alternative would be Brave, as it has a good content blocker that attempts to recreate the full feature set of uBlock Origin.

        • freijon@lemmy.zip
          21·
          16 hours ago

          I get your point. But if you check the source you’ll notice that they don’t add any code themselves, they simply take Chromium and apply patches from Vanadium (Helium is commented for now) and build an apk. Yes, they call it experimental. Use at your own risk. I have had a very good experience so far - but you may disagree. However, there may be other people like me out there who think it’s a good value proposition.

          • stoicEuropean@lemmy.mlOP
            1·
            14 hours ago

            A discussion like this is exactly the reason I love this sub. I am learning more and more every day. Thanks to both of you guys.

    • madthumbs@lemmy.worldEnglish
      15·
      20 hours ago

      Edge: It has native privacy tools others don’t, sane default settings that can be changed, a curated extension store that is more effective than mv3, it still supports uBlock Origin, it’s not from some shady company like Mozilla or fly by night F-Droid garbage. F-Droid won’t even notify you if an app is abandoned, not updated as fast as elsewhere or give ratings from users.

      • akwd169@sh.itjust.works
        41·
        17 hours ago

        Edge? From microslop?? You realize how laughable it is to call Mozilla shady while recommending MICROSOFT in a privacy community??

        You must be ragebaiting

        • madthumbs@lemmy.worldEnglish
          12·
          17 hours ago

          Sorry, do you have an actual argument? Even LiGNUxers often know Mozilla is shady af. Decades ago told us they can only exist because of our donations while using those donations for politics while making bank off Google. The only more scandalous browser I’m aware of is Brave. -But go ahead with your lol, teehee type responses if that’s your bag.