Internet Browser Safety

The browser is the window to the online world. Browsers are the primary method and the most used software on your computer to interact with the Internet. You use the browsers for online banking, accessing webmail, social networking, shopping, maps or searching for information. The most popular browsers are Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox and Safari. The majority of online threats come from the Internet too. This makes browsers a target for fraudsters to attempt to steal your data or personal information.

Steps to secure your browser:

• Keeping browsers updated – Browsers are constantly being patched and fixing known vulnerabilities, but also adding new security features. Always having the latest version is one of the best ways to help secure your browser and your system.
• Add-ons (also called plug-ins) – Add-ons are other software programs that interact with the browser. The most common add-ons are Java and Flash Player. Flash player is used to watch videos from YouTube.com. The more add-ons a browser has installed, the greater the attack surface increases. Add-ons come with their own set of vulnerabilities. You want to ensure that whatever add-ons you have installed are always current and up to date.
• Pay attention to website addresses – Malicious websites may look identical to a legitimate site, but the address may use a variation in spelling or a different domain.
• Downloading from the web – You always want to make sure that anything you download is something you wanted to download and from a legitimate web site. Do not accept or agree to download something from a pop up window.
• Secure your online transactions (https://) – Look in the address box for the "s" in https:// before any transaction. That “s” tells you that the site is taking extra measures to help secure your information.