Puneet Varma (Editor)

Yandex Browser

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Developer(s)
  
Yandex

Development status
  
Active

Stable release
  
17.1.0.2036

Written in
  
C++, JavaScript

Yandex Browser

Initial release
  
October 1, 2012 (2012-10-01)

Operating system
  
Windows OS X Android 4.0 and higher iOS 7.0 and higher Linux x64 (beta)

Yandex Browser is a freeware web browser developed by the Russian web search corporation Yandex that uses the Blink layout engine and is based on the Chromium open source project. The browser checks webpage security with the Yandex security system and checks downloaded files with Kaspersky anti-virus. The browser also uses Opera Software's Turbo technology to speed web browsing on slow connections.

Contents

The browser is available for Windows, OS X, Android and iOS. In October 2014 a Linux beta version was introduced.

Yandex is facing web search competition in Russia from Google Search. Google Chrome, Russia's most popular web browser, uses Google Search as its default search engine, and in June 2012 Mozilla Firefox, the world's third most popular web browser, signed a deal to replace Yandex Search as its default search engine with Google Search. As Yandex browser's "Smartbox" uses Yandex Search as its default search engine, the browser will help Yandex compete for Russian search market share.

Distinguishing features

Distinguishing features of the Yandex.Browser include the following:

  • Different "new tab" screen with a Windows 8-style interface and specialized widgets for popular services (e.g. the gmail widget shows number of unread messages).
  • User data sync with the Internet and other devices running yandex.browser, including tabs, bookmarks, history, passwords, settings and more.
  • Integrated keyboard layout switcher in omnibox: e.g. if user frequently visits gmail.com and starts typing "пьф" ("gma" with Russian keyboard layout) and presses Enter, the user will then be taken to gmail.com and not to the search page for "пьф" (as is the case in Chrome, for example).
  • Integrated translation: selecting any text shows a popup button which, when pressed, shows a translation of the text to Russian using Lingvo.
  • With version 1.1 Opera Turbo has been integrated to speed up the loading of web pages over slow internet connections and reduce data usage.
  • The Yandex Browser supports extensions Google Chrome and extensions for Opera.
  • Ad blocking pornographic advertising.
  • Infinite Personally Targeted Recommended Content using Yandex Zen-based artificial intelligence to target content for users.

    • DNS Spoofing Protection

    Protect active security technology scans files and website for viruses, blocks fraudulent webpages, protects passwords and bank card details, and keeps online payments safe from theft.

    DNSCrypt

    The world's first browser with support for DNSCrypt technology. Encrypts DNS traffic. (For example, protection from the trojan DNSChanger, a tracking Internet provider, or hackers). The option needs to be enabled in the browser settings.

    Protecting WiFi

    When you connect to open WiFi-networks or to the points that use a weak WEP-defense, Yandex Browser automatically encrypts traffic between the user and the HTTP-sites.

    Market share

    According to Liveinternet.ru analytics, Yandex Browser reached 2.3% market share in Russia two months after its release. As of November 2016 Yandex Browser for computers reached 19.1% and 4.9% on mobile devices in Russia.

    References

    Yandex Browser Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA