Privacy, Security & Virus Information

Securing your web browser

Every computer user can take a few simple steps to protect themselves from potential hackers by configuring their web browsers more securely.

Almost every computer comes with a browser in default configuration – Internet Explorer with Windows systems and Safari on the Mac.

Web browsers are one of the most frequently used software programs on a computer and hackers rely on this as attacking browsers gives them more chances to breach your security than less-used software.

The way people browse web sites leaves them open to threats as hackers conceal their virus, worm and spyware in genuine looking web sites.

Securing your web browser reduces the threat from hackers.

Features that software designers include in your browser to increase functionality can also open the door to hackers.

Internet Explorer is the most vulnerable to attacks as it is one of the most popular browsers on Windows machines. Hackers exploit Internet Explorer as a gateway in to your operating system.

Once inside, they can steal personal or business data, send infected emails to everyone in your address book and even take over your computer remotely.

So, take a few minutes to familiarise yourself with your Internet Explorer security settings by opening your browser, selecting Tools and then Internet Options.

• Pay special attention to the security tab set the security level to high with the slider.

• Check out the trusted and restricted sites sections – you can place the details of sites you often visit in the trusted sites section.

• Go through the advanced tab security section and tick the boxes you think are appropriate.

• Set your browser to always ask before installing third party extensions, to always ask where to save files and warn when sites try to install add-ons

• Look at your privacy settings and set the browser to ask before downloading cookies.

For more information about securing Internet Explorer, visit the Microsoft web site.

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