Securing Browser- Towards Internet Security

“Not securing your web browser can lead to a range of computer troubles caused by anything from spyware being installed without your knowledge to intruders taking control of your computer system.”

Web Browser is a software that act as an intermediary application between the user and the internet. Some of the commonly known browsers are Google Chrome, Apple Safari, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Opera, etc. Browser possess many vulnerabilities, from saved passwords to enabled location and third-party cookies. Each vulnerability is causing a privacy threat to you and your data.

To connect to the internet, you need a browser.

Browser is the first element with which we interact for various online tasks. We do play games, surf internet, watch videos, listen songs, connect with our friends and colleagues and take online classes as well, but have you ever thought about the related vulnerabilities with the browser.

When the initial layer is not secure, then how can you secure the deeper layers?

 

Also Read: E-Mail Phishing: All one must know

I’ll share some common practices that will help you securing your browser for better internet experience:

1. Always Update your Browser with the Latest Patches: Latest patches and updates contains the prevention method against the recently involved malicious practices and removes any bug previously present on the software. Also provides you with the new enhanced features. This method proved very favorable in increasing browser security.

2. Disable Autofill and Password Remember: Browsers asks you to save login details (username, password) for each site you log in. If you permit browser to save the passwords, it saves them for the future easy sign-in where you do not need to have enter your username and password again for each site. This is the default privacy setting of the browsers, and you must ensure that if you are enabling the feature, then it is not causing any harm to you.

The saved passwords in the browsers look like this:

Fig 1. Saved Passwords in Google Chrome

  

If your browser has the saved passwords, then anyone accessing your laptop can see your passwords and steal them for their own benefit. The image above the shows the saved passwords of various accounts along with username. This is really a dangerous sort of thing.

Also Read: Amalgamation of Data Science and Cybersecurity

3. Disable Save and Fill Payment Methods: This feature will save your payments details like card number, expiry date and name. For the security purpose, you must not save your payment details on the browser. If any other person is using your PC or even children can pay using those card details.

Fig 2. Saved Dummy Card information in Google Chrome

Also Read: 13 Ways to Secure your WhatsApp Chats

4. Disable Address Save and Form Auto-fill: Browser also offers to save the address location of your device and various others details that you enter while filling up forms. You must disable these features.

These auto-fill and remember details feature looks very convincing and beneficial, but could lead to data loss, personal information disclosure, and even password stealing. This could bear you a huge loss and your personal information can be used in any ways. About the financial details, it is very juicy for the attackers.

Also Read: Does your Device has a Fake App

5. Enable HTTPS-Mode Only: HTTPS provides a secure connection between the browser and the website that you visit. HTTPS-Only Mode will allow only the websites with HTTPS protocol to be connected and displayed on your web browser, which will prevent you getting some spurious websites.

NOTE: Not all HTTP websites are spurious or dangerous.

6. Enable Block Dangerous and Deceptive Contents: Most of the web browsers provide a feature to block dangerous contents. These features prevent user from the malicious sites and downloading any dangerous content that could lead to harm the computer device.

Refer to Mozilla Firefox for more information details.

Fig 3. Block Deceptive Content in Firefox

7. Enable Safe Browsing: Every legitimate web browser offers its users a safe browsing features with generally three options:

-        Enhanced/ Strict

-        Standard

-        No Protection

You must choose the either the enhanced or the standard protection which offers different level of security, but most importantly block trackers and malicious actors and warns about the dangerous events.

 

In a Nutshell

Since web browser is an important utility when we talk about the Internet. As in this case, it becomes really very important to secure your browser so have to a better internet experience. In today’s world of cyber criminals and hackers, the most important thing is to secure your personal data.

Some of the basic steps can enhance your security and could prevent you from the major 80% of cyber breaches. So, remember always to:

-        Disable Password Remember

-        Disable Save Payment Method

-        Disable Address Save

-        Disable Form Auto-fill

-        Enable HTTPS-Mode Only

-        Enable Dangerous and Deceptive Content Blocking

-        Enable Safe Browsing

If you were not paying attention to these features, pay your attention now. And if you are already aware of the thing....keep learning about new.

In my next blog, I will share some secure site setting in the web browser for the websites. See you there. Be Connected... 

Read Next Blog of Series Here...

REMAIN VIGILANT, REMAIN SECURE