Securing Browser's Content- Towards Internet Security
Following the previous two blogs, this blog is now addressing the content settings of the browsers which includes Cookies, JavaScript, Flash, Sound, Pop-Ups, etc. I’ll cover each topic in depth and will let you know the potential vulnerable source from each of the setting.
If you haven't read my previous blog of the series, you can read them here:
So, let’s start…
1. Cookies and Site Data
Web Cookies are not delicious as that of the actual
cookies, instead these could be equally more tasteless in terms of privacy.
Cookies are meant to collect the user’s browsing data, so that companies can
target each individual with the personalized content. You are able to see what
you were looking earlier even after three days of browsing. This is made
possible through cookies. Although, not all cookies are harmful, but some of
them are, especially in case of third-party cookies. They collect your data
from other web sites as well and that data could be used to mislead you through
a fake offer or ad.
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| Image Source: https://ophtek.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/cookies.png |
In the settings, keep enable “Block third-party
cookies” which will not allow any third-party cookies to collect your data, until
you allow them manually. Along with this, you can enable “Clear cookies and
site data when you quit browser”. This will clear all the cookies created
during web surfing. But you need to then again re-login to the websites and
could be a little overhead. But for security, it is required. You can also
enable “Do Not Track” request that would request sites not to track you and
your browsing data.
Read more about cookies:
Web Cookies- Not a Yummy Sort of...
2. JavaScript
JavaScript is a programming language that is used to
create interactive components in the webpage. It may look like an obliging feature
but it also possesses some security risks and more than that could be annoying,
like displaying an error or some sort of message again and again. There are
some sites due to which we need to disable JavaScript but lead to functioning
issues in other sites.
3. Flash
Flash Player is used to play some videos, 2D/3D animations
and various other multimedia in the web browser. Adobe Flash has been
discontinued by the Adobe and very less sites nowadays use flash. So you can
keep it disable, if available in your browser, it won’t affect any other
performance.
Password keeps Things Secure... but is Your Password Secure???
4. Pop-Ups and Redirects
Pop-Ups were initially created to make interaction
with the website visitors, but nowadays are used most in committing fraud and
annoying the users. These pop-ups show user some kind of offers or discounts with
a major motive to mislead them to a malicious website or to collect their
personal details. Below shown an example of pop-up that claims “You have won
amount in the Online Wallet. Click to transfer.”
Any user who is not aware of such frauds will get
redirected to the malicious website and will enter the details to transfer
amount. But you can think what will happen further.
Redirects are used to send user to some other site for
using some particular features. These are used by the authentic websites as
well, but are very dangerous. Keep disable the “pop-ups and redirects” will
prevent some pop-ups from appearing and will block if any redirects are made.
You can create an exception for the legitimate website to redirect you.
E-Mail Phishing: All One must Know
5. Ads
Keep “Ads” turned off from all site, these could be
intrusive, misleading and even illegal. This will block ads from appearing in
your web browser. Although, ads that are legitimate will be shown.
6. PDF Documents
Some web browsers, like chrome have feature which will directly download the pdf file into the device instead of opening it in new tab. You must keep this feature disable and download the pdf manually. Doing this will prevent downloading of useless pdfs and malware. First open pdf in new tab, if it is useful to you, then download it. Make sure the pdf you are downloading is legally available to download and you are not violating copyright rules.
Cyber Ethics: Using Internet Safely
Hope you might have liked it and this would be beneficial for you. If it was, then make your cyber environment secure and contribute in “Towards Internet Security.”
REMAIN VIGILANT, REMAIN SECURE
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