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{{Short description|Indian Web Browser based on chromium}}{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2021}}
{{Short description|Indian Web Browser based on chromium}}{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2021}}
{{about
⚫
{{Advert|date=November 2019}}{{Infobox web browser
|a web browser developed by Hidden Reflex
⚫
| name = Epic
|the American video game company|Epic Games
⚫
| logo = Epic icon.png
|the civil liberties group|Electronic Privacy Information Center
⚫
| screenshot = Epic Browser 38.png
⚫
}}{{Infobox web browser
⚫
| caption = Epic Browser on [[Windows 11]]
⚫
| name = Epic
⚫
| collapsible =
⚫
| logo = Epic icon.png
⚫
| author =
⚫
| screenshot = Epic Browser 38.png
⚫
| developer = Hidden Reflex
⚫
| caption = Epic Browser on [[Windows 11]]
⚫
| released = {{Start date and age|2010|07|15}}
⚫
| collapsible =
⚫
| discontinued =
⚫
| author =
⚫
| latest release version = 91.0.4472.124<ref>{{cite web |url=https://epic-browser.en.softonic.com/download |title=Download Epic Privacy Browser for PC |work=epic-browser.en.softonic.com |access-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref>
⚫
| developer = Hidden Reflex
⚫
| latest release date = <br>{{Start date and age|2021|03|26}}
⚫
| released = {{Start date and age|2010|07|15}}
⚫
| discontinued =
⚫
| latest release version = Version 130.0.6723.92 (Official Build) (32-bit)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://epic-browser.en.softonic.com/download |title=Download Epic Privacy Browser for PC |work=epic-browser.en.softonic.com |access-date=August 14, 2022 |archive-date=July 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724023518/https://epic-browser.en.softonic.com/download |url-status=live }}</ref>
⚫
| latest release date = <br>{{Start date and age|2024|11|05}}
| latest preview version =
| latest preview version =
| latest preview date = <!-- {{Start date and age|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
| latest preview date = <!-- {{Start date and age|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
| status =
| status =
| programming language =
| programming language =
| operating system = [[Windows]], [[macOS]], [[Android (operating system)|Android]], [[iOS]]
| operating system = [[Windows]], [[macOS]], [[Android (operating system)|Android]], [[iOS]]
| engine = [[WebKit]]
| engine = [[Blink (browser engine)|Blink]]
| platform =
| platform =
| size =
| size =
| language =
| language =
| genre =
| genre =
| license = Proprietary<ref>{{cite web |title=Epic Browser Terms & Conditions |url=http://www.epicbrowser.com/tou.html |publisher=Hidden Reflex |access-date=January 20, 2014}}</ref>
| license = Proprietary<ref>{{cite web |title=Epic Browser Terms & Conditions |url=http://www.epicbrowser.com/tou.html |publisher=Hidden Reflex |access-date=January 20, 2014 |archive-date=July 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724233701/https://epicbrowser.com/tou.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
| website = {{URL|https://www.epicbrowser.com/}}
| website = {{URL|https://www.epicbrowser.com/}}
}}
}}


'''Epic''' is a [[privacy]]-centric [[web browser]]. It was developed by Hidden Reflex (a software product company founded by Alok Bhardwaj, based in Washington, D.C., US and [[Bangalore]], India) using [[Chromium (web browser)|Chromium]] source code.<ref name="epic">{{cite web|title=Epic Privacy Browser|url=http://www.epicbrowser.com/|access-date=September 8, 2013}}</ref> The Epic Web site says that it is always in "private browsing mode", and exiting the browser deletes all browser data. During browsing as little as possible is stored. Epic developers removed all Google tracking code and binaries from the chromium source code to compile a clean executable, and blocks other companies from tracking users.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.epicbrowser.com/our-key-features.html|title=Epic Privacy Browser Features. Epic is a secure chromium-based web browser that protects your privacy online.|website=www.epicbrowser.com|language=en|access-date=February 18, 2018}}</ref>
'''Epic''' is an Indian [[Proprietary software|proprietary]] [[privacy]]-centric [[web browser]] developed by [[Hidden Reflex]] using [[Chromium (web browser)|Chromium]] source code.<ref name="epic">{{cite web|title=Epic Privacy Browser|url=http://www.epicbrowser.com/|access-date=September 8, 2013|archive-date=July 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724023616/https://epicbrowser.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> Epic is always in private browsing mode, and exiting the browser deletes all browser data. The browser's developers claim that Google's tracking code has been removed, and that blocks other companies from tracking the user.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.epicbrowser.com/our-key-features.html|title=Epic Privacy Browser Features. Epic is a secure chromium-based web browser that protects your privacy online.|website=www.epicbrowser.com|language=en|access-date=February 18, 2018|archive-date=July 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724233730/https://www.epicbrowser.com/our-key-features.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.darkreading.com/risk-management/custom-chrome-browser-promises-more-privacy-no-tracking/d/d-id/1111356?|title=Custom Chrome Browser Promises More Privacy, No Tracking|date=August 30, 2013 |access-date=January 29, 2017|archive-date=January 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123233413/https://www.darkreading.com/risk-management/custom-chrome-browser-promises-more-privacy-no-tracking/d/d-id/1111356|url-status=live}}</ref>

The browser has no connection with [[Epic Games]], or with the [[Electronic Privacy Information Center]] (EPIC), a civil liberties group.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.darkreading.com/risk-management/custom-chrome-browser-promises-more-privacy-no-tracking/d/d-id/1111356?|title=Custom Chrome Browser Promises More Privacy, No Tracking}}</ref>


== History ==
== History ==
Epic was released on August 29, 2013, with some features for Indian users specifically. The browser integrated widgets such as [[social networking]], chat clients, and email facilities.<ref name="pcworld">{{Cite web|url=http://www.pcworld.in/news/indian-startup-launches-epic-web-browser-29372010|title=Indian Startup Launches Epic Web Browser|last=Sharma|first=Ojas|date=July 15, 2010|publisher=PC World|access-date=July 15, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426140349/http://www.pcworld.in/news/indian-startup-launches-epic-web-browser-29372010|archive-date=April 26, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|author=PRWeb/Hidden Reflex |url=http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/8/prweb11063606.htm |title=Hidden Reflex Launches New Epic Privacy Browser To Confront Growing Anxieties About Online Privacy |access-date=August 29, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=PTI |url=http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/internet/article517259.ece |title=Epic: first web browser for India launched |publisher=The Hindu |access-date=July 16, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.techtree.com/India/News/First_Browser_with_an_Indian_Origin_-_Epic/551-112290-643.html |title=First Browser with an Indian Origin – Epic |publisher=Techtree.com |access-date=July 16, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100718062644/http://www.techtree.com/India/News/First_Browser_with_an_Indian_Origin_-_Epic/551-112290-643.html |archive-date=July 18, 2010 }}</ref>
Epic changed its [[browser engine]] from [[Firefox]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-08-06 |title=Epic Browser FAQ [Bottom] |url=http://www.epicbrowser.com/help.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130806213253/http://www.epicbrowser.com/help.html |archive-date=2013-08-06 |access-date=2024-09-08 }}</ref> to [[Chromium (web browser)|Chromium]] on August 29, 2013, with some features for Indian users specifically. The browser integrates widgets such as [[social networking]], chat clients, and [[email]] facilities.<ref name="pcworld">{{Cite web|url=http://www.pcworld.in/news/indian-startup-launches-epic-web-browser-29372010|title=Indian Startup Launches Epic Web Browser|last=Sharma|first=Ojas|date=July 15, 2010|publisher=PC World|access-date=July 15, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426140349/http://www.pcworld.in/news/indian-startup-launches-epic-web-browser-29372010|archive-date=April 26, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author=PRWeb/Hidden Reflex |url=https://www.prweb.com/releases/hidden_reflex_launches_new_epic_privacy_browser_to_confront_growing_anxieties_about_online_privacy/prweb11063606.htm |title=Hidden Reflex Launches New Epic Privacy Browser To Confront Growing Anxieties About Online Privacy |access-date=August 29, 2013 |archive-date=July 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724234327/https://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/8/prweb11063606.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=PTI |url=http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/internet/article517259.ece |title=Epic: first web browser for India launched |work=The Hindu |date=July 15, 2010 |access-date=July 16, 2010 |archive-date=October 20, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020023101/http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/internet/article517259.ece |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.techtree.com/India/News/First_Browser_with_an_Indian_Origin_-_Epic/551-112290-643.html |title=First Browser with an Indian Origin – Epic |publisher=Techtree.com |access-date=July 16, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100718062644/http://www.techtree.com/India/News/First_Browser_with_an_Indian_Origin_-_Epic/551-112290-643.html |archive-date=July 18, 2010 }}</ref>

== Features ==
== Features ==
Epic's default configuration takes a proactive approach to ensuring that [[Session (computer science)|session]] data (such as [[HTTP cookie|cookies]], [[Web browser history|history]], and [[Cache (computing)|cache]]) are removed upon exit. The browser includes a [[web proxy|proxy]] service that can be enabled by the user, and is automatically enabled when using a [[search engine]]. Other features, such as preferring [[Secure Sockets Layer|SSL]] connections and always sending a [[Do Not Track]] [[HTTP header|header]], further advance privacy.<ref name="epic-privacy">{{cite web|title=How Epic Protects You|url=http://www.epicbrowser.com/#three|work=Epic Privacy Browser|access-date=September 8, 2013}}</ref>
Epic's default configuration removes [[Session (computer science)|session]] data (such as [[HTTP cookie|cookies]], [[Web browser history|history]], and [[Cache (computing)|cache]]) upon closing the [[Web browser|browser]]. The browser includes a [[web proxy|proxy]] service that can be enabled by the user, and is automatically enabled when using a [[search engine]]. The browser also prefers [[Secure Sockets Layer|SSL]] connections and always sends a [[Do Not Track]] [[HTTP header|header]].<ref name="epic-privacy">{{cite web|title=How Epic Protects You|url=http://www.epicbrowser.com/#three|work=Epic Privacy Browser|access-date=September 8, 2013|archive-date=July 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724023616/https://epicbrowser.com/#three|url-status=live}}</ref>


Ad and user activity trackers are blocked by default by the Epic browser, which prevents users being tracked. The browser also blocks cryptocurrency miners from running on the user's system. The browsers' [[device fingerprint|fingerprinting]] protection blocks access to image canvas, font canvas, and audio context data.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://epicbrowser.com/our-key-features.html|title=Epic Privacy Browser Features. Epic is a secure chromium-based web browser that protects your privacy online.|website=epicbrowser.com|access-date=July 17, 2019}}</ref> WebRTC IP Address Leaking is also blocked by default.
AD and user activity trackers (e.g. cookies) are blocked by default by the Epic browser. The browser also blocks [[cryptocurrency]] miners from running on the user's system. The browsers' [[device fingerprint|fingerprinting]] protection blocks access to image canvas, font canvas, and audio context data.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://epicbrowser.com/our-key-features.html|title=Epic Privacy Browser Features. Epic is a secure chromium-based web browser that protects your privacy online.|website=epicbrowser.com|access-date=July 17, 2019|archive-date=July 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724233730/https://www.epicbrowser.com/our-key-features.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[WebRTC]] [[IP address|IP Address]] Leaking is also blocked by default.


The Epic Proxy service can relay connections through any of eight countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, France, [[Netherlands]], India, and Singapore. The company claims it to be encrypted, and also [[DNS]] requests through it.
The Epic Proxy service can relay connections through the [[United States]], [[United Kingdom]], [[Canada]], [[Germany]], [[France]], [[Netherlands]], and [[Singapore]]. The company claims it to be encrypted, and runs [[Domain Name System|DNS]] through it.


Supplementary services found in the [[Chromium (web browser)|Chromium]] browser that send data to external servers, such as address bar suggestion and installation tracking, are removed in Epic to reduce the scope of potential [[data leak]]age.<ref name="epic-privacy"/>
Supplementary services found in the [[Chromium (web browser)|Chromium]] browser that send data to external servers, such as address bar suggestion and installation tracking, are removed in Epic to reduce the scope of potential [[data leak]]age.<ref name="epic-privacy"/>


==Critical reception==
==Critical reception==
[[Computer World]] published an article<!--not a review, no comparisons, benchmarks, etc.--> on Epic in July 2020. The article describes many of the features claimed by Epic, such as blocking of ads, tracking, referrer header data, and "[[Fingerprint (computing)|fingerprint]]", proxy/VPN. As Google's servers are not used, functions such as auto-suggest in the address box and language translation are either handled by Epic locally, or not available. The article says that the Epic FAQ warns users not to sign into their Gmail account: "if you're logged into Gmail, then Google can track your searches". Very few Chrome add-ons are supported; the Epic FAQ points out that, while useful, many "represent a very large security and privacy risk, hence Epic only allows a few trusted add-ons". Some sites do not work with Epic; in those cases the IE Tab add-on will open the page in [[Internet Explorer]]. The article points out that the browser does not have a business plan, so, despite being launched in 2013, it may not last. According to owner Hidden Reflex, the company was working on a way to sustain itself, perhaps offering premium privacy services, sponsors on the new tab page, and private search sponsors.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.computerworld.com/article/3286605/what-is-the-epic-browser-and-what-makes-it-different.html |title=What is the Epic browser (and what makes it different)? |website=Computer World|date=July 3, 2018 |author=Gregg Keizer}}</ref>
[[Computerworld]] published an article on Epic in the month of July 2020. The article describes many of the features claimed by Epic, such as blocking of ads, tracking, referrer header data, and "[[Fingerprint (computing)|fingerprint]]", proxy/VPN. As Google's servers are not used, functions such as auto-suggest in the address box and language translation are either handled by Epic locally or not available. The article says that the Epic FAQ warns users not to sign into their Gmail account: "if you're logged into Gmail, then Google can track your searches". Very few Chrome add-ons are supported due to privacy risk. Some sites do not work with Epic; in those cases the IE Tab add-on will open the page in [[Internet Explorer]]. According to owner Hidden Reflex, the company was working on a way to sustain itself, perhaps offering premium privacy services, sponsors on the new tab page, and private search sponsors.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.computerworld.com/article/3286605/what-is-the-epic-browser-and-what-makes-it-different.html |title=What is the Epic browser (and what makes it different)? |website=Computer World |date=July 3, 2018 |author=Gregg Keizer |access-date=August 21, 2020 |archive-date=April 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423114908/https://www.computerworld.com/article/3286605/what-is-the-epic-browser-and-what-makes-it-different.html |url-status=live }}</ref>


While Epic is not [[open source software]] as such (although it uses open-source Chromium), the company says on their Web site that "All of Epic's code is visible and auditable by anyone ... If you would like to audit any files, please let us know. We have released many files to developers"<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.epicbrowser.com/FAQ.html |title=Epic Privacy Browser FAQ. Epic is a secure chromium-based web browser that protects your privacy online. |website=Epic Browser|access-date= August 21, 2020}}</ref>
While Epic is not [[open source software]], the company states that it will release files to be audited.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.epicbrowser.com/FAQ.html |title=Epic Privacy Browser FAQ. Epic is a secure chromium-based web browser that protects your privacy online. |website=Epic Browser |access-date=August 21, 2020 |archive-date=July 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210707192921/https://www.epicbrowser.com/FAQ.html |url-status=live }}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==

Latest revision as of 09:12, 6 December 2024

This article is about a web browser developed by Hidden Reflex. For the American video game company, see Epic Games. For the civil liberties group, see Electronic Privacy Information Center.
Epic
Developer(s)Hidden Reflex
Initial releaseJuly 15, 2010; 14 years ago (2010-07-15)
Stable release
Version 130.0.6723.92 (Official Build) (32-bit)[1] /
November 5, 2024; 53 days ago (2024-11-05)
EngineBlink
Operating systemWindows, macOS, Android, iOS
LicenseProprietary[2]
Websitewww.epicbrowser.com

Epic is an Indian proprietary privacy-centric web browser developed by Hidden Reflex using Chromium source code.[3] Epic is always in private browsing mode, and exiting the browser deletes all browser data. The browser's developers claim that Google's tracking code has been removed, and that blocks other companies from tracking the user.[4][5]

History

[edit]

Epic changed its browser engine from Firefox[6] to Chromium on August 29, 2013, with some features for Indian users specifically. The browser integrates widgets such as social networking, chat clients, and email facilities.[7][8][9][10]

Features

[edit]

Epic's default configuration removes session data (such as cookies, history, and cache) upon closing the browser. The browser includes a proxy service that can be enabled by the user, and is automatically enabled when using a search engine. The browser also prefers SSL connections and always sends a Do Not Track header.[11]

AD and user activity trackers (e.g. cookies) are blocked by default by the Epic browser. The browser also blocks cryptocurrency miners from running on the user's system. The browsers' fingerprinting protection blocks access to image canvas, font canvas, and audio context data.[12] WebRTC IP Address Leaking is also blocked by default.

The Epic Proxy service can relay connections through the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, France, Netherlands, and Singapore. The company claims it to be encrypted, and runs DNS through it.

Supplementary services found in the Chromium browser that send data to external servers, such as address bar suggestion and installation tracking, are removed in Epic to reduce the scope of potential data leakage.[11]

Critical reception

[edit]

Computerworld published an article on Epic in the month of July 2020. The article describes many of the features claimed by Epic, such as blocking of ads, tracking, referrer header data, and "fingerprint", proxy/VPN. As Google's servers are not used, functions such as auto-suggest in the address box and language translation are either handled by Epic locally or not available. The article says that the Epic FAQ warns users not to sign into their Gmail account: "if you're logged into Gmail, then Google can track your searches". Very few Chrome add-ons are supported due to privacy risk. Some sites do not work with Epic; in those cases the IE Tab add-on will open the page in Internet Explorer. According to owner Hidden Reflex, the company was working on a way to sustain itself, perhaps offering premium privacy services, sponsors on the new tab page, and private search sponsors.[13]

While Epic is not open source software, the company states that it will release files to be audited.[14]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Download Epic Privacy Browser for PC". epic-browser.en.softonic.com. Archived from the original on July 24, 2021. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
  2. ^ "Epic Browser Terms & Conditions". Hidden Reflex. Archived from the original on July 24, 2021. Retrieved January 20, 2014.
  3. ^ "Epic Privacy Browser". Archived from the original on July 24, 2021. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
  4. ^ "Epic Privacy Browser Features. Epic is a secure chromium-based web browser that protects your privacy online". www.epicbrowser.com. Archived from the original on July 24, 2021. Retrieved February 18, 2018.
  5. ^ "Custom Chrome Browser Promises More Privacy, No Tracking". August 30, 2013. Archived from the original on January 23, 2021. Retrieved January 29, 2017.
  6. ^ "Epic Browser FAQ [Bottom]". August 6, 2013. Archived from the original on August 6, 2013. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
  7. ^ Sharma, Ojas (July 15, 2010). "Indian Startup Launches Epic Web Browser". PC World. Archived from the original on April 26, 2012. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
  8. ^ PRWeb/Hidden Reflex. "Hidden Reflex Launches New Epic Privacy Browser To Confront Growing Anxieties About Online Privacy". Archived from the original on July 24, 2021. Retrieved August 29, 2013.
  9. ^ PTI (July 15, 2010). "Epic: first web browser for India launched". The Hindu. Archived from the original on October 20, 2012. Retrieved July 16, 2010.
  10. ^ "First Browser with an Indian Origin – Epic". Techtree.com. Archived from the original on July 18, 2010. Retrieved July 16, 2010.
  11. ^ a b "How Epic Protects You". Epic Privacy Browser. Archived from the original on July 24, 2021. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
  12. ^ "Epic Privacy Browser Features. Epic is a secure chromium-based web browser that protects your privacy online". epicbrowser.com. Archived from the original on July 24, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
  13. ^ Gregg Keizer (July 3, 2018). "What is the Epic browser (and what makes it different)?". Computer World. Archived from the original on April 23, 2021. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  14. ^ "Epic Privacy Browser FAQ. Epic is a secure chromium-based web browser that protects your privacy online". Epic Browser. Archived from the original on July 7, 2021. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
[edit]
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