Ashtech

By Paul Wilcox

Browsers are one of the keys to internet security. Actually, I suppose they’re really more like the car than the key. After all, they’re the vehicle we use to travel around the web. Occasionally an unwanted passenger jumps on board though, and could even carjack your browser - taking you somewhere you don’t want to be.

So, what can you do to stop them?

There are a number of options, the first of which is the browser software you choose to use. Microsoft’s Internet Explorer still has the lion’s share of the market, but it’s losing ground to other, more secure browsers such as Firefox.

And this isn’t necessarily just because they’re more secure (although they usually are). Because fewer people use them, they’re just not as big a target for the people who create these security issues. Using a less widely used browser can help keep you under the radar.

Another key to improving your browser security is learning more about it.

There are a lot of options and setting in Internet Explorer (and most other browsers) that allow you to have more control over what is allowed and what isn’t. The trouble is, most people have little to no idea how to set them properly.

For instance, should you disable ActiveX controls or should you allow them to run but prompt you first? This is an example of something that will ultimately be up to you to decide. Disabling them is certainly more secure, but some websites may not work properly. And prompting you every time can get annoying fast if you regularly visit sites that use them.

This is the sort of trade-off that is a pain in the neck and hopefully won’t be necessary one day. For now, however, you should do some reading to learn more about these settings and how they affect you. If your computer ever crashes because of some internet security attack, you’ll wish you’d spent the time to learn it.

Proper use is the final leg of browser security. Do you practice ‘safe browsing’? Some sites prompt to download ActiveX controls (little programs), dialers, adware and other dynamic content. Do you really know what’s likely to happen when you say yes, or are you trusting the source? Trust is necessary, but as the old saying goes ‘Trust, but keep your eyes open’.

Most internet users don’t have any idea just how much information about them is shared when they visit a website. There are many things, such as your location, the browser you use and what operating system your computer is running that are sent to a website when you visit. This is just how the internet works, and it means you need to be careful that you’re well protected.

Back to education for a moment. Spend some time learning how to lock down your system, outside the browser settings, to make it more difficult for these errant programs to gain Administrator level privileges. Your time will be well re-paid.

To get more information how you can protect yourself from online security threats, visit the Online Security Toolkit at http://www.onlinesecuritytoolkit.com, where you’ll find helpful information about spam, spyware, viruses, identity theft and more.

Get free content for your website at Copy & Paste Articles