Is Puffin Browser Safe?

If you use or plan to use Puffin Browser, you need to know: Is Puffin Browser safe? 

Below, we explain whether Puffin Browser is: 

• Safe to use. 
• Good for privacy. 

We also look at some steps you can take to improve both your safety and privacy when using this browser. 

What Is Puffin Browser?

Puffin Browser is a web browser developed by CloudMosa that stands out for its focus on speed and security, particularly on mobile devices. 

What sets Puffin apart is its use of cloud-based processing, where most of the web page rendering happens on remote servers rather than on your local device. This approach speeds up loading times, especially for data-heavy websites, and reduces the strain on your device’s hardware. 

Additionally, Puffin’s data compression technology helps minimize data usage, making it a great option for users with limited data plans or those browsing on slower networks.

However, the browser’s performance is heavily dependent on a stable internet connection. 

Puffin is subscription-based.

Is Puffin Browser Safe?

Puffin Browser is generally considered safe due to several built-in features that enhance security. 

By processing content in the cloud, the browser effectively isolates your device from potentially harmful web content, essentially offering a sandboxed environment that protects against online threats like malware. 

You can read more about Puffin’s technology in this whitepaper titled ‘Puffin Cloud Isolation: Future-proof Browser Security Against Zero-day Attacks.’

In its privacy policy, Puffin says it restricts access to user personal information to CloudMosa employees, contractors, and agents who need it to do their jobs. These individuals are also subject to “strict contractual confidentiality obligations.” 

It also uses encryption to protect your data as it travels between your device and its cloud servers. 

No data breaches have been associated with the Puffin Browser at the time of writing. 

Is Puffin Browser Private?

No, Puffin Browser is generally not considered private. 

The main reason why is that since Puffin processes web content on its cloud servers before delivering it to your device, your browsing activity passes through Puffin’s servers. 

Although Puffin says it does not log the contents you browse, privacy-conscious users may prefer to use other browsers. 

In its privacy policy, Puffin explains the kind of data it collects, why it collects it, and whom it shares it with.

For example, to generate reports for troubleshooting, self-defense, and internal data analysis, Puffin logs anonymous activities, including data like your IP address, URLs, and data and time of your request. 

Puffin says that “these reports are aggregated statistical data and include non-personal data.” It also says that logs are purged after 180 days, and only the reports, which are mostly used internally, are kept.

Puffin doesn’t hide your IP address, so websites can collect information about you. 

Puffin’s privacy policy is flagged with a warning on the Common Sense Privacy Program website, although most of the concerns are related to a lack of clarity. 

It is unclear whether personal information is sold or rented to third parties by Puffin or shared for third-party marketing. It’s also unclear whether Puffin displays personalized ads. Data is collected by third-parties for their own purposes, users’ information is used to track and target ads on other websites, and it’s unclear whether it creates and uses data profiles for personalized ads.

How to Improve Your Safety and Privacy On Puffin Browser

Follow the steps below for a more private and secure experience while using the Puffin Browser:

• Browse privately. Use Puffin’s incognito mode to prevent your browsing history, cookies, and other site data from being saved on your device. This ensures that your online activities aren’t recorded locally.
• Limit permissions. Review and restrict the permissions you grant to Puffin Browser on your device.
• Avoid logging into personal accounts. Try to avoid logging into personal accounts (e.g., social media, email) while using Puffin. This prevents linking your browsing activity to your identity, reducing the risk of tracking.
• Clear cache and cookies regularly. Regularly clear your cache, cookies, and other browsing data. This minimizes the amount of information that could be used to track your online activities, even temporarily.
• Use a VPN for extra privacy. A VPN encrypts your internet traffic, masking your IP address and making it harder for anyone to track your online activities.
• Review privacy settings. Explore Puffin’s settings and customize them for better privacy. 
• Be cautious with cloud services. Remember that Puffin processes data through its cloud servers. While this offers security benefits, it also means your browsing data is handled by Puffin’s infrastructure. Be mindful of this and avoid accessing highly sensitive information through the browser if privacy is a primary concern.
• Keep the browser updated. Updates tend to come with security and privacy improvements.