A new user interface for Browserling!

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Exciting news at Browserling! My team and I just launched a brand new product interface for Browserling. The new interface lets you access all browsers on all platforms and all features through a single neat menu.

You can try the new user interface right now by following this quick browsing link:

browserling.com/chrome/110/catonmat.net/new-browserling-ui

This link will open this same blog post in the latest version of Chrome.

The menu

The new menu contains everything you need to work with Browserling browsers. The top part of the menu focuses on the platform, the browser, and the website that you want to test, and the bottom part lets you quickly access the most popular features.

The features include display options (allows zooming the browser and changing resolutions), screen capture (allows capturing browser screenshots and quickly annotate them), local testing (allows opening an ssh tunnel to localhost or local network to test local websites), on-screen keyboard (allows using an English keyboard on non-English computers, and allows using a keyboard on mobile devices), share a browser (allows sending a quick link to the current browser and website you're viewing), and send feedback (we love feedback!)

Operating system and browser selection

The operating system and browser selection lets you quickly access all available platforms and browsers. With a click or two you quickly load the browser version you need.

URL navigation

The URL navigation field lets you quickly navigate to the website you need. Just enter the address of the website, click the go button, and a browser will open and load the website.

Display options

The display options feature lets you zoom the browser in and out (especially useful if you're on a 4k screen) and change the resolution to a bigger one or a smaller one. Also, this feature lets you do responsive web testing as you can see how your website looks on various screen sizes.

Capture screen

The screen capture feature lets you quickly capture screenshots of your browsing sessions. Once you select the browser region you want to capture, it opens a screenshot of this region and you can use the editing tools, such as a pen, rectangle, text annotation, and eraser tool to make modifications to the screenshot.

I'll be writing another more detailed article about this feature in one of the next posts as it has many other amazing features that let you quickly copy screenshots to clipboard, share bug reports with your co-workers by emailing them, uploading to Imgur, downloading, or saving to your account for later viewing.

Also, coming soon, you'll be able to record your browsing session to a GIF (we call it a GIFcast) or a video.

Local testing

The local testing feature lets you test your local websites that run on the localhost or any local network machine through ssh tunnels. The initial dialog lets you enter the hostname and port of your local web server.

Then, once you run the ssh command and establish a connection between your local computer and our tunneling service, it changes to connected state and you can start testing.

If the connection drops at any time, you'll instantly be notified through a yellow warning message.

I'll be writing another article about local testing as there's a lot to explain.

Onscreen keyboard

The virtual keyboard lets you easily send keypresses to the browser even if you're using a device that doesn't have a physical keyboard, like a tablet. Also, it's very useful if you're using a non-English keyboard, such as German or French keyboards as they have keys for "at" and "slash" symbols in different places.

The keyboard window can be resized to any size, made more compact if you're on a smaller screen or expanded if you're on a bigger screen.

Share a browser

The browser sharing feature lets you quickly share a link to the current platform, browser, and URL that you're viewing with your co-workers and friends.

Also, coming soon, we're launching a collaborative browsing feature that will let you and your team share the same browser.

Send feedback

We love getting feedback, so we also added a quick way to share your thoughts. Let us know what you think about the new UI! My entire team gets all feedback messages.

Technical details

We built our user interface using plain HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and the if statement. We started with an empty text file and finished with a fully working self-contained application that we deployed to production in 0.1 second. There are no frameworks, no dependencies, no node modules, no bundlers, no rust, and no modern web crap. There's just code that runs the user interface that lets us keep our focus 100% on the product and 0% on resolving node module issues.

What's next?

Next, we're launching a new browser streaming algorithm. The new streaming algorithm will offer near-native experience when using remote browsers. Then, we're adding a collaborative browsing feature that lets two or more people use the same browser at the same time. After this, we're adding a screen recorder that lets you capture your browser sessions to gifs and mp4 videos. And then! More awesome things!

What's Browserling?

Browserling is the world's first online cross-browser testing platform. It offers web developers, web testers, and qa teams quick access to all browsers on all platforms. To make really great web apps and websites, you need to make sure your code and design looks and functions the same on as many platforms, browsers, and screen sizes as possible. You could maintain a bunch of virtual machines and devices or you can simply use Browserling that offers quick cloud access to all the browsers.

Browserling's customers include L'Oreal, T-Mobile, Dolby, Accenture, Payoneer, Wegmans, Library of Congress, House of Representatives, City of New York, State of Texas, UK Home Office, and Government of Australia.

What are other common Browserling use-cases?

Besides being a useful cross-browser testing service, Browserling is also used by security professionals to get a sandboxed browser for testing suspicious links and casual Internet users who want to browse the Internet in an online browser without being tracked.

Thanks everyone for following along my adventure and see you all next time!

Browserling is now a top 15k website in the world!

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According to Alexa, Browserling is now a top 15k (actually now top 13k while I was writing this blog post) website in the world. 5k positions up from 20k a year ago. It's yet another small step for a ling and a giant leap for ling-kind.

alexa.com/siteinfo/browserling.com

My goal is to make Browserling a top 10k website and beyond. Thanks for following along my adventure and see you next time! I'm still just getting started here.

Browserling Coupon Code (Autumn 2024) 🍂

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As the leaves turn golden and the days grow shorter, it's time to warm up your browsing experience with Browserling!

I'm excited to offer you an exclusive autumn deal: use the coupon code LEAFYLING24 at the checkout to get a special discount on my service.

Keep your projects moving forward smoothly this fall with Browserling – your web testing companion for the autumn season.

PS. Today is the last day this coupon is valid.

If you build it, they will come

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TLDR: We built it and they came.

At Browserling, over the last couple of years we built a network of online tools websites. Each website focuses on one category of tools and each tool does one and only one thing. We made all tools free, without ads, and with the simplest possible interface that uses a <textarea> or a <canvas> for the user input and output. We let Google decide the fate of the project and it was a huge success – people loved our free tools, sent us backlink love, we started ranking at the top, and now, all tools are used by millions of people every month. All tools followed the same growth curve – it took on average 2 to 3 years for each site in the network to became popular. The success formula was very simple: building things that people search for + patience = success. Now that we have captured the market, we're merging all these sites into a single ultimate get things done site OnlineTools.com and adding paid plans to make it a huge financial success.

Update: Executed.

Here's what we built.

We built Image tools and they came:

We built Hex tools and they came:

We built Ascii tools and they came:

We built Gif tools and they came:

We built String tools and they came:

We built Number tools and they came:

We built JSON tools and they came:

We built XML tools and they came:

We built YAML tools and they came:

We built Unicode tools and they came:

Build too and see you next time! Just remember – if you don't build it, they won't come.

Announcing OnlineTools.com

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Team Browserling keeps shipping!

We just bought the premium domain OnlineTools.com and launched Online Tools. Online Tools offers thousands of utilities for getting things done quickly and it's used by millions of people every month.

From technical perspective, Online Tools is powered by the <textarea> and <canvas> HTML tags and it's running on a $5 micro instance in a detached screen session. Checkmate, front-end developers and devops engineers.

See you next time!

Online Tools Coupon Code (Autumn 2024) 🍂

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Get ready to tackle your autumn projects with Online Tools and my vast collection of utilities, perfect for all your image, text, and data editing needs!

I'm excited to offer you an exclusive autumn offer: use the coupon code LEAFYTOOLS24 at the checkout to get a special discount on my service.

As the days grow shorter, don't let your productivity fall behind. Stay ahead and stay efficient this season with my quick and effective tools.

PS. Today is the last day this coupon is valid.

5 More Red Flags for Suspicious Files 🚩

Building on my 10 Red Flags for Suspicious Files, this article adds five more tips to help you identify dangerous files. Cybercriminals keep getting smarter, but understanding these simple warning signs can help keep your devices and data safe.

File Sandbox Demo

Not sure if a file is safe? Use an online sandbox that I and my team built at browserling.com/browse. This sandbox isolates files from your main system, preventing any harmful code from affecting your computer. Try it out!

5 More Signs a File Might Be Dangerous

🚩 Hidden Double Extensions

A file named "invoice.pdf.exe" might look like a harmless PDF but is actually an executable file. This trick hides the real file type and can install malware when opened.

🚩 Password-Protected Zip Files

If someone sends you a zip file and says, "Here's the password", without you asking for it, be cautious. Password protection can hide harmful content from antivirus scans.

🚩 Strange or Broken Icons

If a file icon looks blurry, outdated, or doesn't match its type (for example, a Word doc with a generic icon), it might be fake.

🚩 Unusually Large or Small File Size

If a text file is tens of megabytes or a software installer is only a few kilobytes, something's off. Suspicious files often have sizes that don't match what they claim to be.

🚩 Files Mimicking Popular Apps

A file named "Spotify_Installer.exe" or "Chrome_Update.exe" might pretend to be a trusted app. Cybercriminals often mimic popular software to trick users into installing malware.

What Is Browserling?

Browserling is a security solution that provides a sandboxed virtual environment for analyzing files from the internet. By isolating files in a remote, disposable virtual machine, it enables security professionals to safely inspect potentially malicious content without exposing the host system to risk. This approach ensures secure testing and mitigates the threat of malware, exploits, and viruses.

Who Uses Browserling?

Browserling has now become the suspicious file testing platform of choice and it's used by hundreds of thousands of users around the world every month. Browserling's customers include governments, states, cities, banks, stock exchanges, universities, newspapers, Fortune 100, Fortune 500 companies, and private multi-billion dollar companies.

Browse safe!

Halloween Sale

At Browserling and Online Tools, we love sales.

We just created a new automated Halloween sales campaign.

Now each year, on 31st of October, we show a 50% discount offer to all users who visit our site.

Run automated sales too and see you next time!

We've Added 20 New Icon Tools

Team Browserling keeps shipping!

Last week we added 15 new PNG tools and today we just added 15 new tools to our Icon Tools collection.

We've done our job and now it's Google's job to index them and rank them well.

Here are the new logo tools:

Next week we'll add even more tools. See you then!

PS. Use coupon code ICONLING for a 30% discount on these tools.

Spooktober Sale

At Browserling and Online Tools, we love sales.

We just created a new automated Spooktober sales campaign.

Now each year, a week before Halloween, we show a 50% discount offer to all users who visit our site.

Run automated sales too and see you next time!

We've Added 15 New PNG Tools

Team Browserling keeps shipping!

Last week we added 10 new logo tools and today we just added 10 new tools to our PNG Tools collection.

We've done our job and now it's Google's job to index them and rank them well.

Here are the new PNG tools:

Next week we'll add even more tools. See you then!

PS. Use coupon code PNGLING for a 30% discount on these tools.

Columbus Day Sale

At Browserling and Online Tools, we love sales.

We just created a new automated Columbus Day sales campaign.

Now each year, on the Columbus day, we show a 50% discount offer to all users who visit our site.

This year it runs on October 9th, next year on October 14th, etc.

Run automated sales too and see you next time!

10 Red Flags for Suspicious Links 🚩

In this article, extracted from my How to Open Suspicious Links Safely guide, I'll list 10 major red flags to watch for before clicking on any link. With these quick tips, you'll be better prepared to avoid scams, phishing attacks, and dangerous sites. Let's dive into it!

Link Sandbox Demo

Nothing beats a live demo! Don't risk clicking on a suspicious link directly – open it in a sandboxed browser via browserling.com/browse. I and my team run virtual machines in the cloud and stream just the browser to you, so that you can stay completely protected from any potential threats.

10 Warning Signs a Link Could Be Suspicious

🚩 The Link Has Too Many Random Characters

If a link looks like a mix of random letters, numbers, or symbols, it might be hiding something. Legit websites usually have clean, recognizable URLs.

🚩 The Domain Name Looks Strange

Be cautious if the domain name is misspelled or tries to mimic a real one (like "g00gle.com" instead of "google.com"). Scammers use these tricks to fool you.

🚩 Shortened Links from Unknown Sources

Be cautious with shortened URLs like bit.ly if you don't know where they'll take you – they can hide dangerous sites.

🚩 Links Sent by Strangers

If someone you don't know sends you a link, think twice before clicking on it.

🚩 It Asks for Personal Information Right Away

Be wary of links that take you to pages asking for sensitive info like passwords or credit card details. Trustworthy sites don't demand this upfront.

🚩 The Link Doesn't Match the Email or Message Context

If the link seems unrelated to the message or email it came from, it's suspicious. For example, a friend talking about photos shouldn't send you to a shopping site.

🚩 It Forces You to Download Something

Links that automatically trigger a download when you click are red flags. These could be malware disguised as files.

🚩 HTTPS is Missing

If a link starts with "http" instead of "https", it's less secure. Most safe websites today use "https" to encrypt your connection.

🚩 The Link Has Pop-Ups or Redirects

Clicking a link that floods you with pop-ups or sends you to multiple other pages is a bad sign. These are common tactics for phishing or malware.

🚩 The Link Triggers Security Warnings

If your browser or antivirus flags a link as unsafe, trust the warning. Modern tools are good at detecting risky links before you even click.

What Is Browserling?

Browserling is a link sandbox service that lets you open and test suspicious links in a secure virtual browser. It uses a remote virtual machine to load the link, so any malware or harmful content stays contained and doesn't affect your computer. It provides a simple and safe way to check links without risking your device or data.

Who Uses Browserling?

Browserling has now become the suspicious link checking service of choice and it's used by hundreds of thousands of users around the world every month. Browserling's customers include governments, states, cities, banks, stock exchanges, universities, newspapers, Fortune 100, Fortune 500 companies, and private multi-billion dollar companies.

Browse safe!

Autumn Sale

At Browserling and Online Tools, we love sales.

We just created a new automated autumn sales campaign.

Now each year, on the 15th of September, we show a 50% discount offer to all users who visit our site.

Here's how it looks.

Run an autumn sale too and see you next time!

What is a VNC Android? (And How to Get One)

TLDR: You can instantly access a VNC Android via browserling.com/android. I and my team wrote a browser-based VNC client that lets you access an Android from your browser without installs or downloads. Try it out, it's next gen!

VNC Android – What Is It?

A VNC Android is a virtual Android device that you can control from your browser via VNC protocol. This setup lets you interact with the Android's screen, apps, and settings remotely without needing to install any software on your own device. It's useful for developers, testers, and anyone else needing quick, remote access to an Android system for app testing or troubleshooting. Just open a VNC link, and you can view and control the Android device right from your browser.

How Does a VNC Android Work?

A VNC Android works by running an Android emulator on a bare metal server. This emulator is paired with a VNC server, allowing the emulator to send live video of the Android screen over the internet. When you connect from your browser, a WebSocket connection is created, which is used to stream the Android screen to you in real time. This connection lets you see and control the Android interface directly from your browser, as if you were using the device itself, without needing any extra software installed on your end.

What's the Difference Between a VNC Android and a Real Android?

The difference between a VNC Android and a real Android is the ease of access. A real Android device is limited to one physical version, meaning you would need multiple devices to test apps on different Android versions. In contrast, a VNC Android allows you to access various Android versions instantly from your browser without buying more devices or setting up emulators yourself. This makes VNC Android ideal for quick testing across different Android versions, saving time and hassle while letting you troubleshoot issues on any version you need.

What Are VNC Android Use Cases?

App Testing

Developers use VNC Androids to quickly test apps across different Android versions, ensuring compatibility and finding bugs without needing multiple devices.

Web Development

Web developers use VNC Androids to test website responsiveness and functionality on various Android browsers, making sure their sites look and work well on mobile.

UI/UX Testing

Designers use VNC Androids to check the look and feel of apps across screen sizes and Android versions, perfecting user experience without switching devices.

Automation Testing

QA testers use VNC Androids to run automated test scripts on different Android versions, ensuring reliable performance and catching issues early.

Security Testing

Security experts use VNC Androids to analyze app behavior in a controlled environment, checking for vulnerabilities on multiple Android systems.

App Localization

Testers use VNC Androids to review app language and region settings, verifying that localized content displays correctly across different Android versions.

Beta Testing

Developers use VNC Androids to invite beta testers to try their apps remotely, gathering feedback from users without requiring them to install anything on their own devices.

Training and Demos

Educators and sales teams use VNC Androids for training sessions or live app demos, allowing participants to experience the Android interface remotely.

Troubleshooting

IT support teams use VNC Androids to simulate issues that users report on specific Android versions, allowing for faster problem diagnosis and resolution.

Experimentation and R&D

Researchers use VNC Androids to explore Android features, settings, and performance under various conditions, making it a valuable tool for testing new ideas or customizations.

Which Android Versions Have VNC?

At Browserling, we've installed VNC for all Android versions. You can connect to any Android version that you need via our VNC client. For example, you can connect to an Android 10 by simply opening this link in your browser:

browserling.com/android/10

Once you open this link in your browser, our WebSocket VNC client will connect to an Android 10 emulator running on our servers.

The Android VNC link scheme allows you to change Android version instantly by editing the version number at the end of the link.

For example, to connect to Android version 12, you can open this link:

browserling.com/android/12

Our VNC platform provides complete access to all Android versions. Use the links below to launch any Android version you need:

What Is Browserling?

Browserling is an online Android platform that allows users to test and interact with various Android versions directly from their web browser. It uses VNC technology to stream live Android sessions, so developers and testers can access real-time Android environments without installing additional software. This makes it easy to check how apps and websites perform on different Android versions, providing a convenient solution for compatibility testing and debugging across devices.

Who Uses Browserling?

Browserling has now become the VNC Android platform of choice for developers and testers and it's used by hundreds of thousands of users around the world every month. Browserling's customers include governments, states, cities, banks, stock exchanges, universities, newspapers, Fortune 100, Fortune 500 companies, and private multi-billion dollar companies.

Happy browsing!

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