Comodo Dragon 21.0.2

CNET Editors' review

by: Polina Polishchuk on June 17, 2010

Popular security software developer Comodo has developed a Chrome remix said to have higher security features than its predecessors. Comodo Dragon is an aesthetically minimalist browser that is attractive, responsive, and secure.

Apart from the red hue, the Chromium-based browser's interface is identical to that of market contender Google Chrome. From the detachable tabs at the top of the screen to the bookmark-syncing option, it is impossible to instantly recognize where the "remix" takes place. The Help tab even redirects you to Google Chrome's Help page and the Extensions tab redirects you to Google as well. It also keeps Chrome's incognito mode option, where all browsing information and cookies are deleted following the user's Web session. Upon poking around the Options menu, there are a couple of visible differences: there are no location settings and Dragon does not present an option to send "usage statistics and crash reports to Google."

A browser developed by a company that is best known for its firewall software can leave people feeling more secure about their Internet usage. Comodo Dragon will pull up a bright-yellow caution message warning people that sending information may be unsafe when they are entering a Web site with an unstable security certificate. One such message pops up even when logging into large sites like Facebook. Also, Dragon does not send browsing information to a remote server.

Based on simple timer tests run on Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 3, the average cold start-up time was 4.53 seconds, warm start-up was 0.92s, and navigation time from nytimes.com to facebook.com was 0.87s. Comodo Dragon proves to have slightly faster page-loading speed than Google Chrome 5.0.375.70, which had results of 5.71s, 1.27s, and 1.23s, respectively. However, in Sunspider JavaScript benchmark testing, Comodo Dragon received an average score of 929.6 milliseconds, whereas Google got 734ms. Based on these results, Google may have faster JavaScript performance than Comodo.

Dragon is not only fast, but like Google Chrome, it is not strewn with numerous icons, leaving more room for Web viewing. For those who are extra cautious about their online security, or for those who are worried about Google's data-mining, this fast browser is a great choice.

Comodo Dragon - Browse the Web in a safe interface - Download Video Previews:

Publisher's Description

From Comodo:

The Web is what you make of it! There is no doubt that the Web has evolved from viewing to doing, and it is today the world's foremost communicative medium. That is why the web browser is arguably the most important program on your computer. However, the Internet represents an insecure channel for exchanging information leading to a high risk of intrusion, fraud, malware attack. This is exactly why Comodo, the world's leading on-line security and trust assurance innovator, has stepped forward with Comodo Dragon - A versatile technology Browser that offers you all the possible features PLUS the unparalleled level of security and privacy you only get from Comodo. Fast! With faster start-up times, rapid graphics rendering and improved page load speed, the latest version of Dragon is full of major performance improvements you'll notice instantly. Reliable! Dragon provides uninterrupted browsing when there is a crash in the plugins, just refresh the page. Yes, It's that simple! Easy to Use! Sporting an intuitive user interface, Dragon's window is streamlined, clean and simple. Its combined search and address bar makes it easy to search and navigate the web, all from one box. Powerful personalization! Access to an on-line marketplace where you can discover thousands of apps, extensions, and themes for your Dragon. Superior Security and Privacy! Improved Privacy, Easy SSL Certificate Identification, Access to Comodo's own Secured DNS servers, No Usage Tracking, Own built-in Updater, Elegant Integration with your Windows anti-virus software. Social friendly! Integrated tools from Comodo Dragon allow you to share everything you find on the web with your friends, in multiple Social Platforms. Whichever your preferred social network, Dragon can help you spread the word. Free! Now you can shop and do business safely on the Internet. Comodo Dragon is absolutely FREE! Much like many of the other innovative solutions offered by us.