The most SECURE browser?

UsernameIssues · 23 May 2014

Callender,
Thanks for taking the time to ferret out bookmarking a Windows shortcut, file or folder! I hope that you did not spend too much time on this because the end result is not what I use each day.

If I had known that you were going to chase that rabbit for me, I would have added details like this:

In IE, I have shortcuts or text script files or compiled script files right on the Favorites bar. When I right click on such a Favorite, I get the full Windows (file) Explorer context menu and sub-menus if it is a file and I get a partial context menu if it is a folder. I use this to edit some scripts before running them; and sometimes I use other context menu operations too. Once edited, I launch the script from the Favorites bar. These scripts interact with IE - hence the desire to have them available via the Favorites bar.

In addition: I have nested folders filled with these shortcuts to scripts or compiled exes. To share them with coworkers, I put a subset of them on a server. Then redirect IE's favorites folder on dozens of common use computers in the office to point to that share. It is great to just copy/move/organize items on that server share and have that new arrangement and content appear on all of those computers' IE Favorites bars ready to use.

Perhaps I could point Aviator to use a server share for the bookmarks, but my limited testing of the steps that you posted did not get me the Windows (file) Explorer context menus when I right clicked on a bookmark that is really a text file.

It might sound picky to want the Windows (file) Explorer context menus available on a browser's bookmark or IE Favorite... but it is an efficient way of doing what I do a lot of each day. Also, it is nice to organize/zip/share/e-mail a tiny portion of the Favorites folder structure. I don't readily know how to do that in Firefox or Chrome. (I've not spent a lot of time looking into to it either.)

exitPr0gram,
Yes, Aviator is a new browser and I will cut them some slack on their installer. My feedback to them was intended to help them make it better. Even if I never use this browser, I don't mind giving them some of my time - hence the video of the install and the two errors. (I've not received an e-mail back from them yet.)

I write/distribute scripts (at work) and I've messed up more than one error message in my time... so I might be looking at the wording of that second error a bit too critically. (And I make lots of typos in forums

Callender · 23 May 2014

UsernameIssues - I've done some more digging into the settings and took another look at IE to see what you mean. Indeed I can edit and run scripts using IE's bookmarks. As far as Aviator goes all I've managed to do is bookmark files and folders. Clicking on a bookmarked script makes it viewable but not editable and nothing opens in Windows Explorer! I didn't spend a lot of time on this though - it was more a case of looking through Aviator's default settings to see what could be easily changed.

Then after a little more research I found information that suggests the following workaround - but it's not much use:

This add on allows files to be opened in Windows Explorer via IE:

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/d...cpnbpfabiglmdi

Screenshot:

Program Filesx86 has been bookmarked

However it still doesn't allow bookmarked files/ folders to be opened or scripts to be edited. Attempting to open a script via "Open Link In IE" results in the file appearing in the IE downloads folder with the "Do you want to Run or Save this file" dialog.

Attempting to edit a script just doesn't work but the script can be viewed.

I didn't spend a huge amount of time on this - I like to attempt to understand how things work!

exitPr0gram · 24 May 2014

anybody else having issues setting Aviator as their default browser?

I've sent an inquiry to Whitehat Support on the matter so i will be sure to post their response.

So far, how does everyone feel about Aviator on a scale of 1-10? 1 being the worst?? Honestly... i give it a 9.

exitPr0gram · 24 May 2014

I know what the following options are and what they do but i want to know if they will in any way, whatsoever, decrease the security of the browser as they are disabled by default in Aviator.

"Use a web service to help resolve navigation errors"

and

"Use a prediction service to help complete searches and URLs typed in the address bar"

All they are for, really, are for convenience so not having them is no big deal. Im just curious if any active members participating in this bread have an idea on this...

Thanks to all who have been EXTREMELY helpful in this.

If i have not given you the proper thank you or "Props" message me and I will fix that.

UsernameIssues · 24 May 2014

I've only spent a few minutes with it - so I can't really rate it.

Yes, I can reproduce the issue of it not staying as the default browser.

exitPr0gram · 24 May 2014

A Guy said:

Be aware, that a browser set up to be most secure will take more steps to view videos, etc. as these elements will be blocked by default. You have to allow most things. Like a firewall, this is great if you don't just click accept for everything to stop the nagging. take a look at Aviator, a Chromium based browser.

WhiteHat Releases Aviator Browser for Windows | Threatpost | The first stop for security news

https://www.whitehatsec.com/aviator/

A Guy

Thanks again for recommending this awesome browser. This response is exactly what i was looking for.

A browser built off of an already somewhat secure browser (Chromium) and then made more secure.

By the way, Aviator blocks certain things (Like flash, and a few more) and when you click on the icon that sais "Allow" .... BAM, the video on youtube (or whatever it is) starts playing instantly. So in regards to your comment about browsers aimed at security usually required more steps to do things.... This is not the case with Aviator, for the most part. But i'm sure you knew that since you're the one that recommended Whitehat Aviator in the first place

Callender · 24 May 2014

Actually I don't want to set it as the default browser for the time being but when I tried I had the same problem. The settings would not stick.

Anyway after some messing about here's what I did. (I think)

Navigate to aviator.exe - right click - choose "Run as admin"

Then if "make aviator your default browser" doesn't appear head to:

aviator://settings/ and try it from there.

Exit the browser and run it normally. Now it opens links in emails, ftp links and bookmarked shortcuts.

I also had some luck in changing the default program for file types by navigating to say an .htm file then right clicking > properties > change

It wasn't straightforward. Now to revert things back to how they were!

Screenshots:

Callender · 24 May 2014

I always disable such things. My understanding of it without doing any research is that it's a privacy issue rather than a security issue!

exitPr0gram · 24 May 2014

Callender said:

I always disable such things. My understanding of it without doing any research is that it's a privacy issue rather than a security issue!

I'll accept that.

We are in what i like to call "The Microwave-Age" where everyone wants everything done fast and with as little work as possible.

I can live without it predicting what i'm looking for anyway, and yea your right. Its technically not a security thing its a privacy thing. Wasn't paying attention. But its all related to security to me, anyway.

A Guy · 24 May 2014

exitPr0gram said:

A Guy said:

Be aware, that a browser set up to be most secure will take more steps to view videos, etc. as these elements will be blocked by default. You have to allow most things. Like a firewall, this is great if you don't just click accept for everything to stop the nagging. take a look at Aviator, a Chromium based browser.

WhiteHat Releases Aviator Browser for Windows | Threatpost | The first stop for security news

https://www.whitehatsec.com/aviator/

A Guy

Thanks again for recommending this awesome browser. This response is exactly what i was looking for.

A browser built off of an already somewhat secure browser (Chromium) and then made more secure.

By the way, Aviator blocks certain things (Like flash, and a few more) and when you click on the icon that sais "Allow" .... BAM, the video on youtube (or whatever it is) starts playing instantly. So in regards to your comment about browsers aimed at security usually required more steps to do things.... This is not the case with Aviator, for the most part. But i'm sure you knew that since you're the one that recommended Whitehat Aviator in the first place

You're welcome. I have been following this thread. It's good they let you enable Flash quickly, but it being off by default, and you have to allow it is what I meant. I have never used it personally, but had read about it, and remembered it when you asked. I use Opera 12.17, so the browsers own security isn't a priority for me. I do have other programs that help mitigate issues that might occur when browsing. I'm glad you like it, and kudos to the others for their testing and advice. A Guy

The most SECURE browser?

File Links

Should i enable these within Aviator?

Thanks to the person who recommended this!

Default browser

Web prediction service