Avira Scout browser from Avira has come and gone, no one noticed. It’s not surprising for antivirus vendors to release browsers, examples are: current Avast Secure browser (former Avast SafeZone browser) and already discontinued Avira Scout. For the uninitiated, Avira Scout has been publicly launched in March 2017 by Avira and at that time, it came preloaded with HTTPS Everywhere, Privacy Badger and Avira browser Safety extensions. Seems the company has quietly discontinued their browser in October 2017.
Note: We just noticed this now, even though the change has happened one year back.
Reasons for discontinuing Avira Scout
Avira says “We created Avira Scout browser to provide all our users with a secure and private browsing experience. We carried out considerable research on online data and privacy and built numerous features to come closer to our vision: to secure all of you while browsing the internet and provide you with the best privacy protection possible”
“While working on this vision, we learned providing a standalone browser is the only second-best solution to delivering free online privacy for all. Instead of focusing on a browser, we decided to place more emphasis on all user segments. With this in mind, we will discontinue Avira Scout and focus our efforts on extending Avira’s great solutions to all browsers: In the future, we will offer extensions across all browsers.” the company addressed the reason.
While Avira Scout browser is no longer available for download, the company neither has plans to release updates or nor maintain the product in the future. Avira is suggesting users looking for Avira Scout to download and install Opera browser that comes pre-configured with their browser safety plugin.
Does Avast follow the same path in regard to Avast Secure browser also?
From the beginning Avast SafeZone browser is part of Avast antivirus, in 2016, it has been made available to Free antivirus users as well, in September 2017, Avast has discontinued SafeZone it and re-launched in March 2018 as Avast Secure browser (standalone).
Have you used Avira Scout?