How To Boost Browser Security By Tweaking Default Settings
If you follow tech news, you know how common it is to read about internet security risks. Recent reports revealed that more than two billion users were subject to a security threat as a result of a "zero day" vulnerability discovered in Google's Chrome browser.
While browser developers typically are quick to respond to threats with patches and updates, their best efforts to thwart hackers and other online rogues can still leave browsers vulnerable. That is because the weak link when it comes to browser security does not lie in the browser's architecture. Rather, it is found in the security settings that the user chooses to employ.
"It is dangerous for consumers to operate under the assumption that the company that designed the browser they use had their best interests at heart when it developed its default security, privacy, and browsing settings," explains Nick Agar, founder of AXIA. "The default settings on most browsers are configured to benefit the corporations providing the platform rather than the end user."
AXIA is a project that is focused on creating a digital ecosystem around AXIA Coin. The AXIA ecosystem includes a web browser known as AXplorer that includes enhanced security such as automatic fingerprint blocking and aggressive tracker and ad blocking as part of its default settings.
"As people are spending more time online than ever before, it is crucial that they understand how to stay secure while browsing," says Agar. "Bad actors are omnipresent on the Internet. There are more of them than ever before set on taking advantage of people through phishing techniques and other schemes designed to hack into private data or information."
The default settings that you need to change
The unfortunate reality is that most web browsers are not secure by default. In other words, if you do not modify the factory settings, then you are vulnerable from day one. Here are some steps that you should take to boost your browser security:
Allow Automatic Updates - If your browser is not set to update automatically, then you may not be getting all of the patches and updates being issued to fix security issues. Be aware that your computer may have other controls in place that block automatic updates. For example, parental controls or corporate firewalls can prevent updates. In addition, certain malware can block browser updates. Once you have confirmed that your browser is set to update automatically, regularly check to make sure that the updates are being downloaded and installed.
Disable Third Party Cookies - Cookies are little pieces of data that help a website know who you are. And they are everywhere on the web. While cookies can streamline your browsing experience, they also can provide a serious security threat. If blocking all cookies does not work for you, make sure that you are at least blocking third party cookies, which can generate data on your activity via web ads and pass that data to sites that you never visited.
Block pop-ups and redirects - While pop ups are typically just ads and probably more of an annoyance than a security threat, they can lead you to unwittingly visit sites that pose risks. Redirects have a similar outcome - landing you on a page that you never intended to visit - but can be triggered without your involvement. Blocking both of these can make sure you do not wander off of the path of safety.
How to thwart security PEBKACs
The worst computer issues are often PEBKACs. If you are not familiar with that term, it stands for Problem Exists Between Keyboard And Chair. In other words, the computer user can be the one causing computer problems. That definitely is true when it comes to browser security. For those who are intimidated by the idea of fine-tuning security settings, the best option is a browser like AXplorer that is designed with security in mind.
"Our thinking when designing AXplorer was that the majority of Internet users are not aware of the importance of hyper-personalizing their browser's security settings," says Agar. "Most are content leaving them set to default."