Bromite browser notes

Last updated : 18/1/2023 (this page will no longer be updated)

Introduction

My personal notes on Bromite - one of the few Android browsers that barely passes for a privacy-focused browser.

18/1/2023 Update : My opinions about Bromite has soured significantly, with the developer pushing muh ukrain psyop a bit too far (on the topmost section of the Git's readme, where it is seen without scrolling) & refusing to drop its banner (archive.org). Combined with the lack of grouped tab (which does tidy up browsing) & slow updates, I no longer recommend Bromite.

Default connections

These default connections are found using NetGuard.

• www.bromite.org - persistent (cannot be disabled through settings), home page shortcut on 1st launch, adblock
Other than home page shortcut & ad-block, I don't know any other purpose for the persistent connection.


• libera.chat - probably persistent (sometimes replacing www.bromite.org), home page shortcut on 1st launch
• github.com - auto update
• www.eff.org - home page shortcut on 1st launch
• vostok-sos.org - home page shortcut on 1st launch (muh ukrain psyop)
• www.chromium.org - home page shortcut on 1st launch

Mitigating default connections

These mitigations should be done at 1st launch after installing Bromite, preferably while not connected to the internet.

Home page shortcuts :

• Individually delete all homepage shortcuts one by one. Chrome Flags shortcut is optional.

Automatic updates :

• Untick "automatic checks for Bromite app updates" tickbox on 1st run, which will appear once you open the browser for the 1st time.
• If auto-update checkbox is not unticked on 1st run, go to Settings > About Bromite & untoggle "allow checking for updates".

Ad-blocking (optional) :

• Enter Settings > AdBlock Settings, and disable by tapping the "on" option.
• Alternatively, enter Settings > Site settings > Ads and tap on the toggle to disable ad-blocking.

Personal configurations

• Search Engine : Disroot SearxNG / Mojeek / Gigablast (Mojeek / Gigablast for independent & neutral results (relevant for sensitive topics), Disroot SearxNG for more pragmatic results, albeit relying on Google & Bing among others)
These search engines are not included in Bromite. To add them, follow this guide (or search for anything for Gigablast).


• Passwords : All settings disabled
• Payment methods : All settings disabled
• Addresses and more : All settings disabled
• Privacy and security :
• Clear browsing data set to all time, with everything ticked in Advanced (to ensure complete cleanup when I need to wipe out browsing history)
• Always use secure connections enabled (can be disabled according to user preference)
• Expire history days threshold set to 15 days
• Access payment methods disabled
• Preload pages set to No preloading (enable & re-disable)
• Use secure DNS set to Off (systemwide Private DNS can be used in lieu of this option if needed)
• Stock Incognito mode settings
• Other settings are disabled and/or kept as stock unless explicitly mentioned
• Theme : System default; dark theme not applied to sites
• Homepage : Enabled, use for new tabs, set to about:blank (can be set to default Chromium homepage if you don't mind seeing the last whatever sites you've visited every time you open a new tab)
• Accessibility : Stock, no changes
• Site settings
• Allowed : sound
• Ask first : automatic downloads, clipboard
• Blocked : 3rd-party cookies, location, camera, microphone, motion sensors, notifications, Javascript JIT, Pop-ups and redirects, background sync, autoplay, NFC devices, USB, Virtual reality, Augmented reality, Your device use, third party sign-in, webgl, webrtc
• Others :
• JavaScript : Disabled by default, but exceptions are made for some sites.
• Ads : Enable / disable at your own preference. This option will also enable / disable adblocking as it's linked to the Adblock settings.
• 1st-party cookies : Enable / disable at your own preference / use case. If you are logged in to any site with Bromite (or any other mobile Chromium browsers), keep it enabled.
• Desktop sites : Enable / disable at your own preference / use case.
• Dark theme for sites : Enable / disable at your own preference / use case.
• Adblock : Stock settings, can be enabled / disabled according to your own personal preference.

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