Yandex browser offers a lot of Cyrillic, but not much else

Yandex is the Russian internet services giant with one of the biggest search engines in the world. Their Chromium based browser has been around since 2012 and within that time it’s gained many users and some interesting features. The user interface is somewhat different to standard but it still looks and behaves like you’re using a Chromium browser. Yandex Browser is also available for Mac OS X, iOS, Android, and Linux.

One of the most talked about and currently unique features in Yandex Browser is DNSCrypt which sends to and receives encrypted requests from a DNS server. The Tableau is a fancy name for a start or new tab page but is nicely done with a default full window animated background, optional personal news feed and a speed dial of your favorite websites. Although the website doesn’t specifically say, the Protect security system supposedly scans downloaded files with Kaspersky. On install, you will be offered the choice of Google, Bing or Yandex.ru as the default search engine.

Selected Features:

• Mouse and rocker gestures (not customizable)


• Tab position top or bottom with colored tabs to match website theme


• Disable all notifications for 3 hours


• Opera based Turbo mode to compress pages and video on slow connections


• Tableau URL shortcuts for Start page/new tab with Yandex Zen personalized news stories


• Smart box with advanced search and share to email/Facebook/Twitter


• Antishock blocks fraudulent or unpleasant ads and popups


• One click extension install for Evernote, LastPass, Adguard, Lightshot, Pocket, Turn off the lights


• DNSCrypt sends encrypted requests to a DNSCrypt enabled DNS server


• Protected mode for banking and payment systems applies stricter security policy


• Protect security system scans downloads with antivirus and secures webpages/WiFi/settings


• Ebook and document viewer can read epub, fb2, doc, docx, ppt, pptx, rtf as well as pdf