Best VPNs for UC Browser

Its emphasis on Chinese territories is clearly noticeable, with many of the browser’s default tabs delivered in Chinese. As we all know, China has the most websites blocked and the strictest restrictions on access, even on a Chinese-orientated browser, and that’s why it’s essential for UC Browser users to have a VPN for all kinds of uses.

UC Browser security and privacy concerns

First off, the recent versions of UC Browser already have some security features built-in, such as an ad blocker and an incognito mode, but this is not enough to wipe away the serious privacy flaws that it still has. Outdated and vulnerable SSL protocols, weak cipher cryptographies and unencrypted leaks are among the most famous faults, some having been revealed in 2015 thanks to the infamous Edward Snowden case.

Alongside these, documents have revealed that the Australian Signals Directorate, a government cyber security agency, was able to hack into a mobile UC Browser and install spyware, though the agency itself has denied this.

More recently, in 2016 the Citizen Lab – a laboratory of the University of Toronto that studies internet threats and evaluates its openness – bypassed the poor encryption of UC Browser and exposed details of the English and Chinese versions for Android transmitting personally identifiable information for targeted advertisement tools, along with the unencrypted search queries of users.

VPN for UC Browser

All the above only demonstrates that if you’re going to use this browser then you should also be using a VPN to successfully protect your data since this is where UC Browser fails the most. Besides allowing users to circumvent the vast range of geographically blocked websites and online services, another major focus of VPNs is to increase the overall level of privacy and security.

Most VPNs nowadays offer their own mobile app in addition to the desktop client, and some of them even go as far as delivering handy browser extensions. VPNs use reliable encryptions, strong security protocols and trustworthy connections in strategically placed global servers, and so – given all the flaws of UC Browser – we recommend always having a VPN active before going online.

Likewise, we also recommend choosing a VPN with a kill switch. If for some reason the VPN stops working then all internet connections are immediately disabled, meaning you won’t have a chance for the UC Browser’s security flaws to affect you, namely having unencrypted data leaking and your personal data exposed online.

Recommended VPNs for UC Browser

ExpressVPN

Securely downloading UC Browser

When we talk about a browser or any other downloadable content, it’s necessary to pay close attention to where the file comes from to avoid having your device infected with viruses and other kinds of malware. And particularly in the case of UC Browser, which already has its own share of security flaws, it’s vital to choose trustworthy sources. The best one is obviously from the company’s own website, where it is possible to immediately download the browser for computers or to be safely redirected to Google Play or Apple’s App stores in case you want to transfer it to mobile devices.