Is the Maxthon Web Browser Safe to Use?
Reading Time: 3 minutesThe Maxthon browser has a number of great features, but it’s suffered some privacy issues in the past. So is Maxthon actually secure and private?
Gone are the days when we had a select few browsers to choose from. Today, there are numerous options out there for you, all of which offer different features, perks, and drawbacks. One such browser, Maxthon, has been both praised and criticized by users. So, is Maxthon really safe to use, or should you avoid this browser altogether?
What Is Maxthon?
Created in 2002 by Chinese company Maxthon International, the Maxthon browser can be used on Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems, and even has a mobile version for Android and iOS.
Maxthon offers a variety of useful features, including a password manager, split screen option, notes section, and a ‘Resource sniffer’ that can extract the URL of pictures, videos, and other file types on whatever webpage you currently have opened.
Maxthon also has a range of extensions to choose from, such as AdBlock, Google Translate, Office, Honey, Zoom, and Dark Reader. You can also pick from the choice of themes they have available so that you can personalize your browsing experience.
In recent years, Maxthon has also developed more of a focus on web3, the most recent iteration of the World Wide Web. While web3 has not taken over web2 yet, many are excited about its capabilities, and the Maxthon browser can be used within web3. The Maxthon browser has a number of web3-related features, such as its VBox blockchain wallet that allows for crypto payments.
The latest main iteration of Maxthon is Maxthon 6, though this has been updated a few times.
But can you trust Maxthon with your online traffic and other private data?
Is Maxthon Safe to Use?
The Maxthon browser has mixed reviews, but the overall consensus is that Maxthon isn’t quite as safe as many of the popular browsers out there today.
Much of the speculation surrounding Maxthon stems from the privacy issue it faced some years ago. In 2016, for example, it was reported by various sites (such as Security Week) that Maxthon was sending sensitive data to China. According to reports, Maxthon was found to be sending a ZIP file to a server located in China’s capital, Beijing. Within this was an encrypted file that stored data on websites visited by users, their operating systems and CPUs, and other suspicious data. CEO Jeff Chen explained on Quora that the issue was quickly fixed, and that the Chinese government hasn’t made any data requests (though that doesn’t mean it won’t in the future, or indeed since Chen made that statement).
On top of this, many distrust Maxthon because of its Chinese origins. China is known to have various controversial online protocols in place, such as its ‘Great Firewall’ that blocks VPN connections and various popular platforms, such as Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Even some news sites are blocked on the Chinese internet, including The Guardian, The New York Times, and Bloomberg.
Another interesting thing about Maxthon is that it offers a VPN. Though VPNs are legal in China, there are many restrictions surrounding their use, and only government-approved VPN services are allowed within the country. This calls into question whether these approved VPN services are truly anonymous and private, and whether they are censoring certain platforms (as is the case when using the Chinese internet without a VPN).
Maxthon Has Some Suspicious Elements
While Maxthon isn’t a scam browser, you could argue that certain factors surrounding its origins and features make it a somewhat dubious browsing choice. If you value privacy and security very highly, this browser may not be the right option for you just now.
Reference: https://www.makeuseof.com/is-maxthon-browser-private-and-secure/
Ref: makeuseof
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