#Silk internet browser full#
#Silk internet browser tv#
#Silk internet browser download#
#Silk internet browser mac#

It could still be demanded by law enforcement or stolen by malicious hackers that gain access to Amazon’s systems.

#Silk internet browser mac#

Silk also caches parts of websites you visit on Silk’s servers, similar to how other Web browsers build a cache on your computer.Īmazon promises not to misuse this data and claims browsing history cannot be associated with an IP or MAC address. Amazon uses this data to troubleshoot its service and identify problems. Privacy ConcernsĪmazon’s servers log the Web addresses you visit, a token representing your browsing session, and your device’s IP and MAC addresses for 30 days. Still, high-profile attacks in the past, including the attack on Sony’s PlayStation Network, have highlighted how vulnerable large corporations can be to security problems. Amazon, as a large online retailer, has experience and a strong record in security. If Amazon’s servers were compromised, only unencrypted traffic could be snooped on. In a response to the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Amazon’s Jon Jenkins stated that “secure web page requests (SSL) are routed directly from the Kindle Fire to the origin server and do not pass through Amazon’s EC2 servers.” Amazon clarified what Silk actually does on October 18, 2011. In security terms, this was similar to a man-in-the-middle attack. It’d be between your Web browser, Amazon and the bank. This would introduce an extra party into your secure transaction – no longer would the connection just between your Web browser and your bank. What’s Silk’s approach? According to the Silk FAQ, Amazon “will establish a secure connection from the cloud to the site owner on your behalf for page requests of sites using SSL.” Many websites and commentators took this to mean that Amazon would establish the connection to your bank and send the results to you. Web browsers also show lock icons for these SSL connections. The secure connection is displayed as an URL starting with “ in your Web browser’s address bar. When you connect to a secure website, such as your online-banking site or any website that collects your credit card number, your Web browser establishes a secure connection with the Web server. The initial problem with Amazon’s Silk browser and security was its approach to encrypted connections. The drawbacks are security and privacy concerns.

#Silk internet browser download#

This architecture results in faster download speeds and rendering times on your Kindle Fire. The small file is sent to your Kindle Fire, which displays it as the Web page. Amazon’s cloud-computing service renders the page on Amazon’s servers and creates a small file that represents the page. Amazon’s servers have more available bandwidth than your Kindle Fire’s connection and much greater processing power. Amazon’s servers download the Web page on your behalf, process it and send it to your Kindle Fire.Īmazon Web Services performs the grunt work that your device would normally perform. Silk connects to Amazon’s servers instead of connecting to the website. Unlike most Web browsers, Silk doesn’t just connect to a Web server and download a Web page to your device.

#Silk internet browser tv#

“We’re excited to bring web browsing to customers on every Fire TV device in every country where they’re sold.Amazon's Silk Browser and Security: Trusting Amazon With Your BrowsingĪmazon Silk, the Web browser on the Kindle Fire, uses a “split-browser” architecture. We want to make it easy for customers to access the Web from the comfort of their couch,” said Marc Whitten, Vice President, Amazon Fire TV and Appstore.

#Silk internet browser full#

“With full web browsers on Fire TV, our customers’ entertainment and information options are greatly expanded. Both browsers let you use a Fire TV remote’s media control buttons to play, pause, fast forward, or rewind videos on supported websites. The e-commerce giant says both browsers are available immediately on all devices, including the regular Fire TV and the Fire TV Stick.Īdding web browser support means you can access a variety of content like browsing the web, streaming music and more importantly, accessing your Facebook account that might not be otherwise available. Now you can use Mozilla’s Firefox, and its own Silk web browser on Amazon Fire TV. Amazon Fire TV devices now support Mozilla’s Firefox and its own Silk browser.