How are your Browsers exposing you to attacks?
(1) Active X
- Active X is an add-on of Windows Operating System which is required by some websites to view certain elements or take actions.
- Criminals use Active X to create or add malicious Active X controls to web pages in order to damage computers through your browsers.
(2) Java
- Java is Programming Language used to create apps or active content for websites. It is used in desktop apps and browser plug-ins.
- Java plug-ins have a number of loopholes in security allowing hackers to access personal data.
- Always disable plugins if they are not in use.
(3) JavaScript
- Programming Language used for developing interactive web pages and displaying dynamic content on your browsers.
- Many virus scripts are based on JavaScript and are used to perform malicious tasks.
(4) Cookies
- Cookies are files which are stored on browsers and hold significant amount of history.
- Cookies can be used by websites to increase User Experience but misuse of cookies has raised serious privacy concerns.
(5) Extensions or Add-ons
- Extensions or add-ons are pieces of software that add or modify a feature or functionality in web browsers.
- Some of them allow us to block ads, download YouTube videos etc.
- At times, extensions can be used to inject ads into the sites visited or track entire browsing activity.
Although full proof security can not be guaranteed, here are a few steps to secure yourself:
- Choose the option, “Always ask me where to save files” in your browsers so that their is no risk of a web location trying to automatically save dangerous content to the computer.
- Never ever allow websites to track you. Instead, choose the option “Tell sites that I do not want to be tracked.”
- For additional security, do not allow the browsers to remember browsing history or use Incognito Mode.
- Also set the browsers to “Warn you when sites try to install add-ons, block reported sites etc.”
- Set up a master password on Mozilla Firefox.
- Never allow the browser to sync with Google Account.
And here are 5 extensions we would like to suggest you for a better online session:
In the fight for online protection, keeping your browsers secure is a vital step. That is the OS should contain multiple layers of protection for securing the web browsers as it is the central tool used to access social media accounts, e-mail, online banking etc.