Security Online

Step 7: Set the security on your browser

Most people use Internet Explorer, but in reality, Mozilla’s Firefox is much more secure, and offers better protection. Firefox can be downloaded at:

http://www.firefox.com It is a very stable web browser, and works just as good, if not better, than Internet Explorer. However, don’t uninstall Internet Explorer, because some websites will not work in Firefox. If you have Firefox, use it whenever possible – which will be most of the time – and only use Internet Explorer when necessary.

If you are using Internet Explorer, open the browser and at the top of the window, click on ‘tools,’ then on ‘internet options.’ Here, you can do several things. On the first tab – General – you can delete your cookies, your temporary internet files, set your home page, and clear your history. This should be done daily, before you turn off your computer for the night. On the security tab, you can select your security level. Set it to high or medium. This can be changed at anytime, so set it where you feel that you need it, depending on the type of surfing you are doing.

The privacy tab is also quite useful for protection. Here, you can block cookies. You should note, however, that many sites require the use of cookies. The privacy setting should be set to medium or high. The new version of Internet Explorer will also allow you to block pop-ups, although it doesn’t always work.

The next tab, content, is also useful for security. This enables you to determine what type of content will be viewable on your computer, using this browser. You will also find Auto Complete here. Auto complete is good in some ways, but from a security standpoint, it is bad, and should be turned off.

The only other useful tab there, for security purposes, is the advanced tab, which will allow you to disable JavaScript and select options that you do want, and unselect options that you do not want.

If you are using Firefox, click on ‘tools,’ then ‘options.’ Much like Internet Explorer, you can set your security here. Click on ‘Privacy.’ This is where you can clear your history, clear saved form information, clear saved passwords, clear your download history, clear your cookie file, and clear your cache. This should be done daily. Instead of having windows remember your password, use a program such as roboform, where you need a password to get to the passwords. This is much more secure.

Next, click on Web Features. Here, you can block Popup windows. Unlike Internet Explorer, Firefox’s popup blocker usually works. You should uncheck the box that says ‘allow web sites to install software.’ That is a security risk. You may want to disable Java and JavaScript as well.

Next, click on Advanced, and make sure that Firefox is set to check for updates. This will keep your browser well up-dated, and lessen any security risks that may exist.

If you are using Internet Explorer, you might want to download and install a free utility called BHODemon, which you can find at http://www.definitivesolutions.com/bhodemon.htm . A BHO is a ‘browser helper object.’ A browser helper object is a small program that runs automatically each time your start Internet Explorer. This is what adware and spyware is made up of. BHODemon will tell you what BHO’s are running on your system, and what they are doing. While adware and spyware use BHO’s, some BHO’s are actually good – and necessary – for the proper operation of some software on your system. BHODemon allows you to disable, or re-enable BHO’s at will, without deleting them.