Definition:
Brave is a free, open-source web browser developed by Brave Software. It differs from many browsers by including protections against ads, trackers and cross-site identification techniques without initially requiring an extension.
Desktop and Android versions use Chromium as their foundation, while the iOS version uses WebKit. Brave can open most websites and Chromium-compatible extensions while adding its own privacy controls and services.
How Brave works
Brave loads and renders pages in a similar way to other web browsers. Its main distinction is Shields, an integrated system that examines browsing requests and blocks particular ads, trackers, scripts and cross-site cookies.
Protections can be configured globally or for an individual website. If blocking prevents a page from working correctly, the user can adjust Shields for that domain without disabling protection elsewhere.
Brave was co-founded by Brendan Eich and introduced its first versions in 2016. Its development combines the open-source Chromium engine with project-specific components released under open-source licences.
Privacy in Brave
Brave enables several protections by default:
- Ad and tracker blocking: Shields acts as an integrated ad blocker and restricts requests associated with tracking.
- Cookie controls: it can block third-party cookies and manage stored site data.
- Fingerprinting protection: it modifies or restricts certain signals used to recognise a browser.
- Connection upgrades: it attempts to use HTTPS when the website and connection support it.
- Global Privacy Control: it can communicate a preference not to sell or share personal data.
- Private windows with Tor: the desktop version can route particular windows through the Tor network.
A private window does not make its user anonymous. It primarily prevents part of the history and local data from remaining stored after the session closes. Brave’s Tor windows provide additional network protection but do not replace Tor Browser when strong anonymity is required.
Brave documents these functions on its privacy protections page.
Brave services
The browser integrates or supports several optional services:
- Brave Search: a search engine developed by the same company that can also be used from other browsers.
- Brave Rewards: an optional system that can provide Basic Attention Token for participating in its advertising programme and supporting creators. Availability depends on the country and associated services.
- Brave Wallet: an integrated wallet for managing particular digital assets and connecting to compatible applications.
- Brave Sync: synchronises selected data between devices through a sync chain.
- Brave Leo: an artificial intelligence assistant integrated into the browser, with free and paid functions.
- VPN and Firewall: an optional paid service available on particular platforms.
These services are separate from the basic Shields protections. Cryptocurrency, rewards, artificial intelligence and VPN services are not required to browse with Brave.
Brave limitations
Blocking resources can interfere with players, forms, authentication systems or advertising-supported elements. When a page fails, it is useful to identify which protection intervened before disabling Shields completely.
Brave reduces particular forms of tracking but does not remove every privacy or security risk. An internet provider, signed-in account, extension, malicious download or voluntarily supplied information can still expose or identify the user.
The browser and its extensions also need to be kept updated. Compatibility with Chromium extensions does not guarantee that every extension is safe or privacy-preserving.