Key To Security
Browsers, Key To Security?
Less like the key, really, than a car - browsers provide the
means for traveling around the Internet to interesting
destinations. Unfortunately, sometimes uninvited passengers
climb in. On rare occasions, they even 'carjack' you.
So, what to do?
Users have options, starting with browser selection.
Internet Explorer still has over 90% of the 'market' (an odd
term for free software), but it's popularity is waning
slightly. Firefox and others have inherently better security
and the added advantage of running on Linux.
Even when not inherently better, other browsers and
operating systems are less popular targets. Until both
legislators and software vendors get really serious about
security, it's possible to reduce your 'target area' by
staying out of the limelight.
Education is another key to 'hardening' browser security.
There are dozens of options in Internet Explorer and other
browsers that control what components triggered during
surfing are allowed to do. Very few users have much
knowledge about what they're for or the effects of setting
them one way versus another.
For example, is it desirable to 'Allow ActiveX controls and
plug-ins' to Run, or should that be set to Prompt?
Individual judgments here, as in all aspects of security in
life, have to be made. One factor is your tolerance for
responding to prompts versus your willingness to risk
infection. After all, you have to decide whom to let in your
car, don't you?
It's an undesirable trade-off to be faced with, and one
which we can hope someday won't be necessary. But in the
interim, it isn't necessary to be a computer geek to
experiment and read a bit to find out what these settings
affect. The first time you're infected and lose a day
recovering, you'll wish you'd spent the two hours finding
out.
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 users are unaware of the extent to which using a
browser opens up their system to the rest of the world.
Being on the Internet means not just seeing, but being
visible. And accessing sites usually means being accessible.
It isn't just harmless cookies that can be downloaded to
your system. Once executable programs are downloaded they
often have free rein to your entire system.
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.
So, be aware of what's happening when you navigate to a
site. Download only from trusted sources. It's ok to be
slightly suspicious of strangers. Don't pick up hitchhikers.
Ok, Mom's going to make some hot chocolate now. Then we'll
decide if you can have the keys to the car.
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