UC Browser for PC: What characterizes this browser?

Introduction

UC Browser for pc is one of the most popular web browsers in the world – although it may be shocking for many, it is a product with a much greater reach than the popular Opera or Firefox. UC Browser is the product behind UCWeb – the company belongs to the Chinese Alibaba group (the same one that has, among others, Aliexpress). In Poland, it is quite a niche option, but in recent months, more and more has been said about it: why? What distinguishes UC Browser? Why are users so eager to reach for this particular product?

UC Browser: the third most popular browser in the world

The beginnings of UC Browser date back to 2004 – it was then that the browser was launched and began to gain recognition among the first users. At the outset, it is worth noting that it is a multi-platform product that follows trends and hits all systems popular at a given time. In these stationary ones, the matter is simple: Windows, Linux, and proprietary solutions from Apple (macOS, OS X). In the mobile world, however, the transformations take place much faster. Hence UC Browser has a version not only for Android and iOS but also: BlackBerry OS, Windows Phone, Java ME, or Symbian.

What makes users so eager to reach for UC Browser? First of all, the data compression function there – the browser uses its servers as proxies, which compress data and ensure faster page loading for users. Yes, even for those using slower internet connections and older and slower devices. The option of the local fast download is also very highly rated, as it allows you to download files faster by downloading several threads at the same time. When we are about to download – it is also worth remembering that UC Browser allows you to download pages and read them offline.

Not only a browser but also an app store

We are used to the fact that every self-respecting web browser nowadays has a store where you can equip yourself with a whole set of plugs and add-ons. In UC Browser, things are similar: an SDK has been prepared especially for developers to create programs and improvements to make it easier to use the Internet.

UC Browser for pc : Browser Security Controversy

Despite all the above positives and the convenience of use, it is not as colorful as many of us would like it to be. Security specialists report about vulnerabilities there and the behaviors that. That should not be the case. On the Wikipedia product card, we read:

Research has shown that UC Browser for pc is not secure and has privacy issues. It has many weaknesses. According to Qualys SSL Lab test and High-Tech Bridge’s SSL / TLS report; The Logjam, FREAK, and POODLE vulnerabilities can be found in the UC Browser. It uses the outdated RC4 encryption cryptography with the outdated SSL 3 or even SSL 2 protocol which has many security flaws. In 2015, Snowden leaks revealed that UC Browser carries sensitive IMSI, IMEI, MSISDN, Android ID, MAC address, geographic location data, and WiFi data without any encryption; intelligence agencies could use that to track users.

In 2016, Citizen Lab reported serious security and privacy issues in the English and Chinese Android versions of UC Browser. The report criticized the transmission of personally identifiable information to various commercial analytical tools and user inquiries without encryption. They also bypassed the UC browser in pc encryption, accusing them of using ineffective encryption systems to transmit subscribers ‘personal data, mobile device IDs, and users’ geolocation data. Between May and June 2016, the Alibaba Group released updated versions of the UC Browser to Citizen Lab to validate their security patches for these issues. The next update published by Citizen Lab indicated that.