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 (Winter 2023)

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As the winter chill sets in, it's time to warm up your browsing experience with Browserling!

I'm excited to offer you an exclusive winter deal: use the coupon code FROSTYLING23 at checkout to get a special discount on my service.

Stay warm and productive with Browserling – your web testing companion for the colder months.

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 (Winter 2023)

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Warm up your winter 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 winter deal: use the coupon code FROSTYTOOLS23 at checkout to get a special discount on my service.

Don't let the cold slow down your productivity. Stay ahead and stay efficient this chilly season with my quick and effective tools.

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

What's the difference between an .onion domain and a .com domain?

This is an excerpt from Browserling's Tor Browser Testing Guide. Browserling offers an online service for testing regular websites and onion websites in multiple Tor browser versions, which can be accessed via browserling.com/tor. The Tor browser is sandboxed in a virtual machine, runs on Browserling's servers, and is isolated from your device and network.

Onion and Com Domains – What's the difference?

Both .onion and .com domains serve as top level domain identifiers for websites but they operate in very different environments and have distinct characteristics. Here's a comparison:

Accessibility

Onion domains can only be accessed through the Tor network, typically using the Tor browser or other Tor-enabled tools. Com domains are accessible from any standard web browser (such as Chrome or Firefox) through the regular Internet.

Anonymity & Privacy

Onion domains are designed to ensure anonymity for both the website operator and its visitors. The physical location and IP of the server hosting the hidden service are obscured. In com domains, the server's IP address is publicly visible and website operators and visitors can be tracked unless additional privacy measures are used.

Domain Generation & Ownership

Onion domains are derived from the service's public key through cryptographic methods and there's no central registry for Onion domains. Com domains are managed by domain registrars and overseen by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). They require registration and annual fees.

Encryption

Onion domains provide end-to-end encryption by default. The traffic between the user and the Onion service is encrypted, ensuring intermediaries can't decipher the content. For com domains, encryption (HTTPS) is optional but highly recommended. If a com website doesn't use a HTTPS certificate, then data is transmitted in clear text.

Certificate Authorities (CA)

Onion domains don't have a specific CA as the Onion traffic is already encrypted but some Onion sites use SSL/TLS certificates from regular CAs for added trust. For com websites, SSL/TLS certificates are often issued by recognized CAs to enable HTTPS and confirm the website's authenticity.

DNS System

Onion domains don't rely on the traditional Domain Name System (DNS). The Tor network handles the resolution of Onion addresses. Com domains use the standard DNS system for domain resolution.

Duration & Renewal

Once an Onion domain has been generated, it remains valid as long as the owner has the corresponding private key and keeps the service running. Com domains are typically registered for a certain period (usually one year) and need to be renewed periodically.

Legal Considerations

Operating a com domain adheres to international and national laws, with legal recourse for misuse. Onion domains are lawless and are often associated with a higher risk of activities, given the anonymity they offer.

Search Engine Indexing

Com domains are indexed by standard search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo. Onion sites are not indexed by these search engines and require specific Onion web search engines or direct URLs to access.

Website Hosting

Hosting a com website is straightforward and can be done through numerous hosting services. Hosting an onion site requires specific configuration to maintain anonymity and need specialized hosting services.

Conclusion

To conclude, the distinction between .onion and .com domains lies in their access methods and privacy levels. The Onion domains are accessible exclusively via the Tor network and the Tor browser and offer enhanced anonymity and privacy, while com domains are widely accessible via all regular browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, etc.) but are less private. For those interested testing Onion domains, Browserling offers a unique solution, allowing users to open these domains directly in a Tor browser without installing it, thus bridging the gap between these two diverse digital environments. Give it a try!

What is Remote Browser Isolation (RBI)?

TLDR: A demo speaks louder than a thousand words. You can connect to a remotely isolated browser created by me and my team via browserling.com/browse. We run remote browsers on our servers and stream just the browser window to you.

Remote Browser Isolation – What Is It?

Remote Browser Isolation (RBI) is a cybersecurity technology that isolates web browsing activities from endpoint devices by executing web sessions on a remote server, typically in virtual machines or Docker containers. This approach effectively shields endpoints from browser-based threats like malware and phishing attacks by ensuring that only the browser window is transmitted to the user's device. RBI is particularly valuable in enterprise security, protecting against web-based threats. It's also useful in safeguarding against phishing, malware, and zero-day exploits, while maintaining user privacy and compliance with data protection regulations.

How Is RBI Related to Zero Trust Security Model?

RBI is a key component of a Zero Trust strategy, which operates on the principle of "never trust, always verify". RBI aligns with this philosophy by treating all web content as untrusted, regardless of its source. This means that even if a user encounters a malicious link inadvertently, their device remains unharmed.

What Are RBI Use Cases?

The most popular use cases of RBI involve cybersecurity and data protection: threat prevention, data protection, email security, zero-day exploit mitigation, phishing protection, content filtering and control, and secure web access.

Threat Prevention

RBI helps in preventing various web-based threats by isolating browsing activity in a remote environment. This setup blocks malware, phishing attempts, and other malicious content from reaching the user's device, thereby securing the endpoint from potential attacks.

Data Protection

In scenarios where sensitive data access is required, RBI ensures that the data is never directly exposed to the end-user's device. This is crucial for compliance with data privacy and protection standards, as it minimizes the risk of data leakage or unauthorized access.

Email Security

RBI can be integrated with email systems to safeguard against malicious links and attachments. When users click on a link or open an attachment, a remote browser is spawned, thus preventing any harmful code from executing on the user’s device.

Zero-Day Exploit Mitigation

RBI is effective in protecting against zero-day exploits, where vulnerabilities are unknown or unpatched. By isolating browsing sessions, any exploit attempt remains confined to the virtual environment, preventing it from affecting the user's system.

Content Filtering and Control

RBI allows organizations to implement strict content filtering and control policies. This is useful in restricting access to non-business-related websites and in environments such as schools and libraries, where the Internet usage needs to be carefully monitored and controlled.

Phishing Protection Training

RBI can be used in cybersecurity training programs, especially for phishing awareness. It allows users to interact with potentially harmful content in a safe environment, providing a practical, risk-free training experience for identifying and handling phishing attempts.

Secure Web Access

For organizations that require secure and controlled access to specific web resources, RBI allows users to safely access these resources without exposing the internal network to risks. This is particularly useful for accessing high-risk websites or untrusted Internet sources.

What is Browserling?

Browserling is a virtual browser platform that allows web developers, SOC teams, and cybersecurity analysts to quickly check how websites perform across different browsers and platforms. It's a popular RBI tool as it provides a remote, secure, and isolated environment for testing suspicious websites and web applications, thereby reducing the risk of exposing the user's local system to potential web-based threats and vulnerabilities.

Who uses Browserling?

Browserling has now become the RBI 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!

Black Friday Sale (75% OFF)

At Browserling and Online Tools, we love sales.

We just created a new automated Black Friday sales campaign.

Now every year on the Black Friday we show a 75% discount offer to all users who visit our site.

Run automated sales too and see you next time!

Thanksgiving Sale

At Browserling and Online Tools, we love sales.

We just created a new automated Thanksgiving sales campaign.

Now each year on the Thanksgiving day 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 another 20 new math tools

Team Browserling keeps shipping!

Last week we added 25 new math tools and today we just added another 20 new tools to our Online MATH 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 math tools:

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

Early Black Friday Sale

At Browserling and Online Tools, we love sales.

We just created a new automated Early Black Friday sales campaign.

Now each year on the Black Friday week 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 25 new math tools

Team Browserling keeps shipping!

Last week we added 25 new png tools and today we just added 25 new tools to our Online MATH 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 math tools:

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

Browserling now has the Vivaldi browser!

We just added the Vivaldi browser to Browserling!

You can now test your websites in all Vivaldi browser versions from v1.0 to v6.4.

You can access the Brave browser via this quick browsing link: browserling.com/vivaldi

You can also access individual Vivaldi versions by appending the version number at the end of the quick browsing link like this:

Happy testing!

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