Maxthon

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Maxthon (Template:Zh, formerly named MyIE2) is a freeware web browser, created by JeffChen in Singapore. It is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, and as Maxthon Mobile for Android,<ref name="six"/> iOS,<ref name="five"/> and Windows Phone 8.<ref name="thirtysix"/> Since version 6, Maxthon is based on Chromium.<ref name="seventyfive"/>

Overview

Maxthon is a Hong Kong company known mainly for producing web browsers for Windows.<ref name="maxthonabout"/> It is headquartered in Singapore, with offices in Beijing, Hong Kong, and San Francisco, US. Most of Maxthon's team work remotely around the world, which develops and maintains versions of the Maxthon browser for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Windows Phone.<ref name="mattson"/>

Maxthon has also created other products including a Chinese language news and information portal i.maxthon.cn,<ref>i.maxthon.cn</ref> a Chinese language casual gaming portal and humor website, a ‘Kid Safe’ web browser for Android and iOS, a free online account system named Maxthon Passport,<ref name="Passport">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and an English language news and information web portal i.maxthon.com.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="thirtytwo"/>

Corporate history

In 2002, current CEO Ming Jie "Jeff" Chen (Template:Zh) created MyIE2 browser based on open source product MyIE.,<ref name="seventeen"/> in Singapore, and renamed to "Maxthon" in 2003. In 2005, the team received seed funding from venture capital firm WI Harper Group<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and Morten Lund, the first Skype investor, and Chen moved the company to Beijing.<ref name="eighteen"/><ref name="nineteen"/> In 2006, Maxthon received further investment from the US-based venture capital firm Charles River Ventures.<ref name="fifteen"/>

Maxthon was one of the twelve browsers Microsoft presented in 2010 at BrowserChoice.eu, a website allowing users of Windows residing in the European Economic Area to choose which default web browser to use on their computer.<ref name="twentythree"/> In late 2010, Maxthon began releasing new compatibilities, including browsers for Android<ref name="six"/> Mac,<ref name="sixteen"/> iPhone<ref name="thirtynine"/> and iPad.<ref name="forty"/> As of August 2012, Maxthon is still in the first tier of browsers in BrowserChoice.eu after the removal of Apple Safari.<ref name="eu"/> The Maxthon Cloud Browser was released on December 10, 2012.<ref name="fortyone"/>

Investment from Google

On April 10, 2007, TechCrunch reported that Google had invested at least US$1 million in Maxthon;<ref name="twenty"/> this was denied the following day by Chen.<ref name="twentyone"/> However, in an interview with the Chinese web portal Sina.com, Chen did not rule out future "cooperation" between the two businesses.<ref name="twentytwo"/>

Awards

Maxthon Browser has received several awards and recognitions over the years for its innovative features and user-friendly interface. Some of the awards and recognitions include:

• WebWare 100 Winner: Maxthon was selected as one of the top 100 web applications by WebWare 2009,<ref name="nine"/> a CNET site.
• About.com Reader's Choice Awards (2009, 2011,2014): Maxthon was voted as the Best Alternative Browser by the readers of About.com in both 2009, 2011 and 2014.<ref name="aboutcom"/>
• Red Herring 100 Asia (2013): Maxthon was included in the Red Herring 100 Asia list, recognising the most promising private technology ventures from the Asian business region.<ref name="redherring"/>
• PCWorld's 100 Best Products of 2011: Maxthon was ranked among the top 100 products by PCWorld magazine in 2011.<ref name="ten"/>
• Global Mobile Internet Conference (2012): Maxthon Mobile was awarded the Best Mobile Browser at the Global Mobile Internet Conference held in Beijing, China.

These awards showcase Maxthon Browser's commitment to innovation and user experience, even though it has not reached the same market share as some other major browsers.

Data privacy issues

In 2016, computer security researchers from Fidelis Cybersecurity and Exatel discovered the browser surreptitiously sending sensitive browsing and system data, such as ad blocker status, websites visited, searches conducted, and applications installed with their version numbers, to remote servers located in Beijing, China. According to Maxthon, the data is sent as part of the firm's 'User Experience Improvement Program' and it is "voluntary and totally anonymous." However, researchers found the data still being collected and sent to remote servers even after users explicitly opt out of the program. The researchers further found the data being sent over an unencrypted connection (HTTP), leaving users vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks. Fidelis' Chief Security Officer, Justin Harvey, noted the data "contains almost everything you would want in conducting a reconnaissance operation to know exactly where to attack. Knowing the exact operating system and installed applications, and browsing habits it would be trivial to send a perfectly crafted spear phish to the victim or perhaps set up a watering hole attack on one of their most frequented websites."<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Maxthon CEO Jeff Chen claimed that this was due to a bug that was fixed as soon as Maxthon was made aware of the issue;<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> however, Exatel had notified Maxthon of the issue without getting any response.<ref>https://exatel.pl/advisory/maxthonreporten.pdf Template:Webarchive Template:Bare URL PDF.</ref> The issue was found in Maxthon version 4.4.5. According to Maxthon, it was fixed in later version and no such issue was reported since then.

Software

Development history

According to Maxthon International CEO Ming Jie "Jeff" Chen, Maxthon was based on MyIE, a popular modification created by Chinese programmer Changyou to customize Internet Explorer web browser.<ref name="eleven"/><ref name="twelve"/> Changyou posted most of the source code<ref name="thirteen"/> for MyIE on his Bulletin board system before leaving the project in 2000. Chen then continued independently developing MyIE and in 2002 released a new version, MyIE2.<ref name="fourteen"/> Users around the world were quite active in contributing to MyIE2's development, adding many plug-ins, skins and assisting with debugging. MyIE2 was renamed Maxthon in 2003.<ref name="fifteen"/><ref name="eleven"/>

Maxthon 2 was introduced in July 2007,<ref name="maxthontwos"/> and Maxthon 3 was released in September 2010.<ref name="mx3-release" /> Later that year, Maxthon began introducing browsers for portable devices. In December, Maxthon for Android<ref name="six"/> was released.<ref name="thirtyeight"/> On July 7, 2012, Maxthon for Mac<ref name="sixteen"/> was released,<ref name="thirtyseven"/> with Maxthon for iPhone<ref name="thirtynine"/> and iPad released in August 2012.<ref name="forty"/> On December 10, 2012, Maxthon Cloud Browser, also named Maxthon 4, was released.<ref name="fortyone"/>

Features

Maxthon 5 introduced these features:

• UUMail: enhances the email experience by creating unlimited virtual email IDs to keep the real email address safe and filtering out spams to make sure the inbox stays clean and organized.<ref name=":0" />
• Maxnote: the original 'Favorites' feature upgraded to 'Maxnote'. Users can collect everything, read anywhere, and record anytime.<ref name=":1" />
• Passkeeper: help users remember all passwords securely and smartly. Synced users passwords to the Cloud and then accessed on all different platforms & allows people to add and edit "Accounts" and "Private Notes". It also helps users to auto-generate random complicated passwords when registering on a website so there's no need to worry about passwords being cracked anymore.<ref name=":2" />

Browser versions

Version 1.x

Maxthon version 1, which continued version 0 of MyIE2, was an Internet Explorer shell that implemented a tabbed browser using the Trident web browser engine which Microsoft introduced with Internet Explorer 4.<ref name="twentyfour"/> As such, version 1 was compatible with every version of Windows from Windows 95 to Windows 7.<ref name="twentyfive"/> Development of version 1 stopped in 2010 with the so-called Maxthon (Classic), version 1.6.7.35;<ref name="twentyfive"/> earlier releases are available from Maxthon,<ref name="twentysix"/> and version 1.6.7.35, which fixed a bug in selecting the default search engine, is still available at other download sites.<ref name="twentyseven"/><ref name="twentyeight"/>

There are many add-ons available for Maxthon Classic,<ref name="twentynine"/> and more are available through discussion forums.<ref name="thirty"/> Specific threads may provide direct download links also.<ref name="thirtyone"/> Some add-ons are build-specific, but in that case, a clear indication of compatibility can often be found.

Maxthon 1.3.1 brought cloud-based service for online syncing bookmarks (favorites) in 2005.

Version 2.x

Maxthon Browser 2 is a multi-tab browser released in July 2007.<ref name="maxthontwos"/> A later modification in 2008 was the first browser on the market to offer cloud-based services for syncing bookmarks and history.<ref name="maxthonabout"/> Version 2.x also blocks malicious plug-ins to prevent pop-ups and floating ads, and supports a variety of plug-in tools and IE extensions. It also supports a wide variety of skins and is customizable. New features included:<ref name="thirtytwo"/>

• Maxthon Passport: once the user signs in and registers for free membership, avatar remains in that space for future visits<ref name="fortythree"/>
• Multi Tab Manager: right-clicking on the 'Tab menu' brings up a function intended to make browsing and other operations more efficient.
• Mouse Gestures: right clicking and performing gestures with the mouse allows users to trigger customizable actions.
• Maxthon Smart Accelerator: the built-in is intended to increase browsing speed; see icon at Maxthon status bar.
• Autofill: automatically saves content entered into web forms and fills them automatically in the future.
• Undo list: after closing a webpage accidentally, the Undo button and Undo can restore it. All closed pages and browsing history are recorded in Undo list.
• Online Favorites: registering as a Maxthon Passport member allows instant access to cloud syncing services like online favorites.
• Super Drag and Drop: users can drag and drop selected text for a web search in their default search engine, or a selected link or image to open in a new tab.
• URL alias: through 'tab right click menu,' users can assign a 'special-sticky name' to a webpage, which can be entered in the address bar to open the corresponding webpage. Naming is possible through the right click tab menu.
• Super agent: supports adoption of HTTP, HTTPS, Socks4, Socks4a, Socks5, and other internet connection proxies, and also supports proxy that require authentication. By setting the Advanced Proxy Rule, the browser can automatically switch to different proxy servers.
• External Tools: users can add commonly used (i.e., possibly IE compatible only)Template:Clarify tools and software shortcuts to their browser. The software can be set to start up and shut down with the browser.
• Web Toolbar: provides users with a set of commonly used small features. Among them, The Maxthon website aggregates many entertainment and social networking sites.
• AD blocking: through the menu "Webpage Content Block," Ad Hunter can block pop-ups, ads and malicious web harassment. Supports customizable filters.
• URL Key: through settings center, set an URL Key and press a function key to open one or more URLs.
• Web Sniffer: Web sniffer can capture FLV media files from video sites, allowing for download and saving. Users can also customize the type of files to sniff for.
• Screen Capture: users can arbitrarily snap a whole page, a region, a specified window and page content to the clipboard. Users can also configure the saving path and file format of the screenshot through setting options.
• Maxthon Download: without having to call other download programs, using the browser's built-in download can complete numbers of small download tasks. The download manager has several features.
• Plug-ins (Extensions): plug-ins can be used or programmed and shared with other users

Version 3.x

Maxthon 3 was released in the fall of 2010, after a beta period of 8 months.<ref name="mx3-release" /> It has two layout engines: WebKit and Trident. New features included:<ref name="thirtythree"/>

• Dual Display Engines: Maxthon uses the Ultra Mode, powered by the WebKit web browser engine, by default. It will switch automatically to Retro Mode, powered by the Trident engine, as needed to display older-style Web pages.
• Mouse Gesture: allows navigating through the web by moving a mouse in patterns that tell the browser to go back, forward, refresh, or hide.
• Super Drag & Drop: allows drag and drop to open new pages and images or perform a web search.
• Smart Address Bar: allows searching by typing keywords directly into address bar
• Magic Fill: Maxthon securely saves names and passwords of visited websites, then fills in that information on return.
• AD Hunter: removes advertisements with one click and automatically blocks pop-up windows.
• Maxthon Passport: once a user signs in and registers for free membership, avatar remains in that space for future visits.<ref name="fortythree"/>
• Online Favorites: registering as a Maxthon Passport member allows instant access to cloud syncing services like online favorites.
• Multi Search: after selecting this, a user can input keywords in the address or search bar, and it shows what multiple search engines return for the query.

Maxthon Cloud Browser

Also named Maxthon Cloud, Maxthon 4 was released on December 10, 2012.<ref name="fortyone"/> At the same time it released Passport<ref name="Passport" /> and its cloud features.<ref name="infiniti"/> Maxthon Passport allowed users to sign-in and register for free membership, and their avatar remains in that space for future visits. Registering also gives users access to cloud syncing services like online favorites.<ref name="fortythree"/> New features include:<ref name="thirtyfour"/>

• Cloud Push: supports sending text, images, websites/links and tabs to Mac, Android and Windows operating systems.
• Cloud Share: supports sharing text, images, websites/links and files online.
• Cloud Download: supports downloading files in various formats and uploading them to My Cloud for backup on any device.
• My Cloud Tabs: lets users remember previous sessions, by automatically syncing tabs to Android, iOS, or Windows devices.
• Cloud Sync: Syncs account data (Favorites, Settings and Magic Fill data) to other devices.
• Reader Mode: adjusts font sizes and removes ads on articles for visibility, with a "night mode" option for low light.
• Magic Fill: Maxthon securely saves names and passwords of visited websites, then fills in that information upon return.
• Ad Hunter: removes advertisements with one click, and automatically blocks pop-up windows.
• New Session: users and gamers can simultaneously log into the same website with different accounts.
• Source Sniffer: extract all photos, embedded videos and audio files from a web page and download them.
• SkyNote: save and access text notes anywhere, and sync them across Windows and Android.
• Do Not Track: privacy from ad networks and beacons.
• Google Safe Browsing: identifies websites and warns if they are not safe and not secure before visiting.
• Privacy mode: disables browsing history.

MXNitro

On September 15, 2014, Maxthon released a beta version of a Windows web browser made for those with slow computers or internet connections. The browser fetched pages 3 times faster than other browsers. The browser had a clutter-free, intuitive look and feel designed expressly to make new users feel comfortable on first use. The browser never came out of beta.<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref>

Version 5.x

Maxthon 5 (also known as MX5) was released in October 2016.<ref name="maxthon.com">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In the 5.2.x versions, the core of the browser is updated to the Chromium 61 branch point which suggests that the core is using Blink, a fork of WebKit.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Aside from a series of new added and improved features, Maxthon 5 also introduces a few major built in functions, such as Maxnote as "your collecting button for the web", Passkeeper as "your smart password manager", and UUMail as "the guardian of your inbox".<ref name="ReferenceA">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Through this new version, Maxthon 5 is aiming to become an information assistant for users.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> New features included:<ref name="maxthon.com"/>

• UUMail: enhances the email experience by creating unlimited virtual email IDs to keep the real email address safe and filtering out spams to make sure the inbox stays clean and organized.<ref name=":0">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• Maxnote: the original 'Favorites' feature upgraded to 'Maxnote'. Users can collect everything, read anywhere, and record anytime.<ref name=":1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• Passkeeper: help users remember all passwords securely and smartly. Synced users passwords to the Cloud and then accessed on all different platforms & allows people to add and edit "Accounts" and "Private Notes". It also helps users to auto-generate random complicated passwords when registering on a website so there's no need to worry about passwords being cracked anymore.<ref name=":2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• Customization: support customization for proxy and core switch button, UEIP data feedback in setting-Privacy & Content, and auto-sync setting
• External Tool: support external tool
• Guest Mode: add guest mode
• Interception: add popup window interception prompt
• New Favorite Method: support dragging URL in a webpage to shortcut bar and make it favorite
• Shortcut bar: add "add to this folder" for a folder in shortcut bar, support dragging to manage and organize entries, and support "delete" to recycle bin
• Traffic Calculation: add upload traffic calculation in Infobox-menu

Version 6.x

Maxthon 6 (MX6) was released on 30 November 2020, with regular beta updates since.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It claims to be the default browser for 670 million users. Some Maxthon 5 features are not (yet) supported. The browser has an emphasis on blockchain technologies, and offers 64-bit and 32-bit versions on Windows, as well as iOS, Android and portable versions.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

With the official release of Version 6.1.0.2000 Maxthon moved to a Chromium base,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> but still support the dual Trident and Blink rendering engines.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

For Mac

In July 2012, Maxthon Cloud Browser for macOS<ref name="two"/> was released.<ref name="thirtysix"/> It allows Mac users with a Maxthon Passport account to keep all user data in sync across different devices and operating systems.<ref name="thirtysix"/><ref name="sixteen"/> New features include:

• Cloud Push: supports sending text, images, websites/links and tabs to Mac, Android and Windows operating systems.
• Cloud Share: supports sharing text, images, websites/links and files with other people.
• Cloud Download: supports downloading files in various formats and uploading them to 'My Cloud' for backup on any device.
• My Cloud Tabs: lets users remember previous sessions, by automatically syncing tabs to Android, iOS, or Windows devices.
• Cloud Sync: allows syncing of bookmarks, favorites, and other content across Windows, Mac and Android devices.
• Super Drag and Drop: allows user to highlight a URL or webpage text, then drag and drop into the address bar to open a new page or execute a web search.
• Mouse Gesture: allows simple shape creation with the mouse, and trigger commands like Refresh, Close Tab, Page Top/Down and Previous/Next Tab.
• Extension Center: company supported feature for finding browser extensions, compatible with Google Chrome extensions.<ref name="thirtytwo"/>
• Do Not Track: privacy from ad networks and beacons.
• Adobe Flash support pre-installed in software.
• Full user data encryption for security.

Maxthon Mobile

For Android

Maxthon Mobile for Android, a version for Android phones, was first released in 2010,<ref name="thirtyfive"/> followed in 2011 by a version optimized for 10 inch tablets.<ref name="fourteen"/> New features in 2012 included:

• Cloud Push: supports sending text, images, websites/links and tabs to Mac, Android and Windows operating systems.
• Cloud Share: supports sharing text, images, websites/links and files online
• Cloud Download: supports downloading files in various formats and uploading them to 'My Cloud' for backup on any device.
• Cloud Tabs: lets users remember previous sessions, by automatically syncing tabs to Android, iOS, or Windows devices.
• Sync Bookmarks/Favorites: sync bookmarks across Windows, iOS, and Mac devices.
• Full screen browsing
• App Center: function to find and group web apps and content.
• Super Gesture:: allows the use of gestures to create, close, switch, and restore tabs.
• Read-Ahead: preloads pages automatically.
• Reader Mode: adjusts font sizes and removes ads on articles for visibility, with a "night mode" option for low light

Version 6.x (2020) is also available for Android - see above.

For iOS

Maxthon Mobile for iOS was launched in July 2012, for iPhone,<ref name="thirtynine"/> iPad, and iOS universal. Maxthon Cloud Browser for iOS saves and syncs key settings, content and features for users across multiple platforms and other devices. Mouse gestures can control the opening and switching between tabs.<ref name="forty"/><ref name="three"/> New features include:

• Cloud Push: supports sending text, images, websites/links and tabs to Mac, Android and Windows operating systems.
• Cloud Share: supports sharing text, images, websites/links and files online
• Cloud Download: supports downloading files in various formats and uploading them to 'My Cloud' for backup on any device.
• Cloud Tabs: lets users remember previous sessions, by automatically syncing tabs to Android, iOS, or Windows devices.
• Sync Bookmarks/Favorites: works across Windows, Mac and iOS devices.
• Reader Mode: adjusts font sizes and removes ads on articles for visibility, with a "night mode" option for low light
• Brightness Control: adjust screen brightness within the browser.
• Portrait Orientation Lock: supports switching the screen orientation in Maxthon Browser.
• Privacy Protection: allows browsing without tracking
• New User Interface: full-screen browsing mode.

Version 6.x (2020) is also available for iOS - see above.

For Windows Phone

Maxthon Mobile for Windows Phone was launched in October 2013. The features that were included in this version were:<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• Cloud services with multi-device support
• Ease of use with (patent-pending) implementation of tabs
• Favorites optimized for mobile touch screens
• Live tiles in Quick Access
• Pop-up address bar

See also

• List of web browsers
• Comparison of web browsers