- IPVanish just added its Secure Browser to its desktop macOS and Windows VPN apps
- Secure Browser is an entirely cloud-based solution, letting you visit potentially unsafe websites without risk
- Unlike antivirus programs, the Secure Browser never lets threats reach your computer in the first place, protecting you from malware and trackers
IPVanish has just boosted the security offering of its desktop apps by integrating its Secure Browser tool directly into its Windows and macOS VPNs.
IPVanish Secure Browser lets you browse the web remotely, entirely in the cloud. It protects you from malware, trackers, and various exploits, as what you're viewing is essentially a completely sanitized version of the site. None of the potentially bad stuff ever reaches your computer.
The latest update has made the Secure Browser much easier to use for a wider range of users – something that could help IPVanish compete against the very best VPN services.
How does IPVanish Secure Browser work?
Originally launched in late 2024, the IPVanish Secure Browser was previously a standalone feature. You could access it via a web app or a browser extension, using your browser of choice.
Now, you no longer need to remember the website address to start up Secure Browser, as it's built into the IPVanish VPN client via the Windows and Mac VPN apps.
IPVanish Secure Browser runs entirely in the cloud using Remote Browser Isolation (RBI). This means that every website you visit is rendered remotely, not on your device.
When you use the browser, you're presented with an interactive visual stream of the website. This sanitized stream protects you from potential threats, including malicious code or trackers, as none of it is actually loaded onto your computer.
Nothing is stored locally; no cookies, history, or cache are left behind once you're done browsing. More importantly, each session is disposable and sandboxed, with zero lingering data or fingerprints. IPVanish also promises to get rid of all browsing data the moment you exit the app.
This latest relase highlights the committment of Ziff Davies, the parent company of IPVanish, to making an all-around cybersecurity solution as opposed to just a virtual private network (VPN) client.
"Secure Browser is a core part of IPVanish’s ongoing plans and is a key part of our move from being a VPN provider to a full security suite," said Chief Commercial Officer at IPVanish, Subbu Sthanu.
To that end, earlier this year, IPVanish's malware protection was confirmed to be the best on the market. The company has also recently launched a suite of free security tools, including a tool that hides your IP and scans the dark web for leaked emails.
How to use IPVanish Secure Browser
IPVanish made the Secure Browser available as part of its Advanced plan. Users on that plan get up to 30 hours of secure browsing per month. You'll see a session timer in the corner so that you can keep tabs on how much browsing time you have left for the month.
You can subscribe to the Advanced plan starting from the equivalent of $3.29 a month, and it includes the IPVanish VPN, threat protection, Secure Browser, and cloud backup.
Once you're on the Advanced plan, launching the Secure Browser is easy. Simply launch the IPVanish desktop app and run it from there. The browser operates much like any other, so you can type in website addresses to start a secure, disposable browsing session.