The first of the lines of defense we have to avoid security and privacy problems on the computer is our browser, which is the program used to surf the internet. This article aims to summarize all the ways, options and tools to strengthen browser security against malware, viruses and privacy intrusions, whatever it may be: Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, Opera or others. The protection of the computer certainly starts from here because the browser is the main communication port with the outside (i.e. with the internet) and it is also the main vehicle for spreading viruses.
READ ALSO: Guide to online security against hackers, phishing and cyber criminals
1) General changes to the browser, whatever it is
Speaking of the four main browsers, Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox and Opera, but also all the others, it is necessary to know that the main reason why they are frequently updated is to fix some security holes that have been found between an update and the 'other. Internet Explorer is also updated to this effect via Windows Update. For this reason, browsers, if kept up to date, are quite strong and resistant against known vulnerabilities. The problem comes from add-ons and external plugins that integrate into browsers, but work independently and can have both privacy and actual security problems.
If the Adobe Flash plugin is running, as it should be for most people, there are some settings to be changed.
Then go to the control panel of the Windows computer and, in the " Classic view a", find the Flash Player icon.
Under the Storage tab, change the option by placing either " ask permission " or " Do not authorize any site to store information on your computer ".
the other very vulnerable browser plugin is Java which, unless it is needed for particular specific needs, it is better to uninstall. If you want to keep it, at least configure a high level of Java security in browsers.
For everyone else, consider that most browser plugins are useless and can be removed.
2) Regarding privacy I have already written a guide on how to protect privacy on the internet and see what the web knows about us.
The important thing is to keep in mind that all the websites you visit can collect information about us by extracting it from your browsing history or from the words searched on the internet on the Google search engine.
With all browsers you can browse privately without leaving any traces by activating the incognito mode.
In some cases, you may want to delete cookies and other browsing data when the browser is closed, so that all the information of the previous browsing session is removed from the computer.
This can be done every now and then with a program like Ccleaner or you can use private browsers that automatically delete browsing history and data.
Browsers with built-in VPN are also convenient for anonymous surfing, also bypassing geo-blocking on websites.
READ ALSO: What are internet cookies "> not being tracked online by websites blocking the collection of personal data and not tracking clicks for Google, Facebook and Youtube searches.
Although it is all explained in the two linked articles, these tools reinforce browser security by preventing the visited sites from being able to use us for advertising purposes.
READ ALSO: Remove viruses from Chrome, Firefox IE when slow or with too much advertising
3) For each browser there are different security options so, depending on the one used, go to the specific guide:
- Privacy and security options in Google Chrome
- Firefox options for privacy and internet security
- Security and privacy options on Internet Explorer
Keep in mind that the new Opera is the same as Google Chrome for the security options, but that since it is not registered by Google, no data is left to Google, which remains one of the most accused companies of user data collection.
In another article the list of Chromium-based browsers, such as Chrome but without Google.
4) Security extensions
Speaking only of Chrome and Firefox we see some extensions to strengthen browser security.
Also in this case you can consult the two lists:
- 10 extensions for Google Chrome security
- 20 Firefox extensions for safe and secure browsing
Browser protection plugins appear in both lists:
- Web Of Trust or WOT, to highlight safe and dangerous sites.
- Windows Defender for Chrome which blocks the loading of dangerous sites.
Bear in mind that:
- Internet Explorer does not need extensions (except WOT which is also for IE) because, as written in the guide in point 3, there is a Smartscreen filter that prevents you from opening dangerous sites and strengthens the Windows browser in an important way .
- There is no mention of Opera because if you have installed the new Opera, starting from Opera 15, you can install the same extensions as Google Chrome.
5) HTTPS mode
When a site opens in HTTPS mode, the connection is encrypted so the data entered on the site cannot be captured externally. For this reason the banking sites open in https, so as not to give hackers and also the site managers the ability to read the access password in the clear.
In another article all about how to always surf in https with a secure connection, where possible. Keep in mind that it makes no sense to navigate in https on a site like this, Navigaweb.net, because this type of site does not ask for any personal information from users and there is no registration form with password.
6) Passwords
I have a friend who, for each website she signs up for and for each account created, uses a different login name and password. All the access data for the various sites marks them on Word files saved in a folder on the computer. Basically if he breaks his PC or if someone steals it or spies on him, he gets all the passwords of his life. This is not how you manage passwords, it is not comfortable and not even secure.
The best thing is to use a password management program like LastPass or generate a strong and rememberable password for all websites.
7) Cryptolocker
I have talked about this in other articles, on how to protect yourself from Cryptolocker and Ransomware that always spread via the internet or email, via the browser.
To conclude, I can only suggest reading the article with the 10 basic IT security laws which are a bit the 10 commandments valid for any computer and for all ways of using the internet.
READ ALSO: Which is the safest browser?
