ParanoidBrowser

About ParanoidBrowser Android App

ParanoidBrowser is based on RetroBrowser with focus on privacy and ease of use. It offers no bookmarks, cannot save any data to storage and forgets everything when closed.

It allows websites to use JavaScript and Cookies but does not store them. On exit ParanoidBrowser's private storage is completely deleted, so no temporary files will survive a closed session. Like RetroBrowser it supports:

- minimalistic yet sophisticated navigation

- direct choice between desktop- and mobile versions of a website

- quickly switch between browser and search

- one click choice between Google and DuckDuckGo

- comprehensive documentation/help

Privacy

ParanoidBrowser is designed to protect your privacy in normal circumstances. And it will do so (probably much better than 'private mode' in other browsers does) if it works on your device as designed. Usually it will, but please verify that first since I am unable to test all the various devices, Android-versions and OEM-customisations.

ParanoidBrowser cannot protect you from possible backdoors in Android or in the manufacturer's code, against spyware or professional forensic examination. It also cannot protect you from the natural insecurities on the web. It is intended to protect your privacy from normal people even if they have physical access to your device - no more, no less.

A normal user will not find any traces from your browsing sessions even if your device is rooted. There is no stored history, no cookies, no cache or other temporary files left if ParanoidBrowser is exited. It will exit if you press your phones/tablets Menu-Button. It will also exit if you go back through the visited websites when the last visited website is reached and you hit the Back-Button again.

If you press 'Home' or if a call or any other app interrupts your session it will be closed and made invisible. It will be completely killed if not restored within 60 seconds. ParanoidBrowser will not show up in recent-apps-list, it can only be restored by clicking on it's icon.

These features may cause some inconvenience but - well they are paranoid. Imagine you surf the web privately, are getting an important call, immediately go to some collegues and leave your Android on your desk. You will be really happy if ParanoidBrowser has killed itself when you return to show e.g. an Email to somebody.

Security

To make it short ParanoidBrowser is as secure (?) or insecure (!) as your tablet or smartphone, your version of Android and the manufacturers' and mobile providers' customizations. Think for yourself what that means for you ...

It works as a normal Android App without lots of permissions. Of course it needs Internet access, that's all. Websites are displayed in Android's built-in Webview which is used by the standard browser and most others as well.

ParanoidBrowser is freeware.

© 2015 Nikolaus von Bomhard

[email protected] . www.bomhard.de