Is VPN still needed after the release of a new Russian browser?
Daniel
2026-07-18
Read time
2 minutes
A new mobile web browser named "Vostok" has been added to the official registry of Russian software. Developed jointly by "Borey Technologies" and "Advilabs-Rus", this product is designed for both corporate clients and individual users. The main feature of the application is its built-in support for Russian cryptographic algorithms, allowing seamless access to both domestic and international websites without any manual configuration.
On June 13, 2026, the GlobalSign certificate authority began revoking SSL certificates from websites associated with Russia due to sanctions. Under these circumstances, website administrators are forced to migrate to alternative certification services. Otherwise, internet users run the risk of experiencing access issues, with web pages displaying security warnings or failing to load entirely.
Popular web browsers built on the Chromium engine do not support Russian certificate authorities by default, causing issues for users attempting to access local websites. The "Vostok" mobile application, developed using the open-source Firefox engine, aims to resolve these difficulties. The software correctly processes all types of digital signatures, supporting both domestic and international standards.
Online security relies heavily on SSL certificates, which perform two key functions. The first is traffic protection by encrypting the connection between the server and the user. Consequently, sensitive data such as payment details, passwords, and messages are transmitted in an encrypted format, preventing them from being intercepted by attackers.
The second crucial role is verifying the authenticity of a website. The absence of a valid certificate causes browsers to label a website as insecure, reducing user trust. The presence of a special padlock symbol in the address bar confirms the legitimacy of the platform and protects users from phishing threats.
During the era of the old HTTP protocol, internet service providers could track user activity and block specific web pages individually. Today, restrictions are usually applied to entire domains, and the lack of reliable encryption significantly increases the risk of personal data compromise.
