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A web browser is the software you use to view websites, such as Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome.

Today most computers come with a browser already installed. However, there is no guarantee that the browser has been set up with the right security settings for your needs.

The higher you set your security levels, the fewer options and functions you will have available, but your internet access will be more secure. You have to decide on the right balance for you between being as secure as possible and experiencing every feature of every website.

Your browser is your primary connection to the internet. It reads and interprets the websites you visit and determines how you view and interact with them.

Some websites rely on your browser’s extended functionality to work properly or to provide an enhanced or more interactive browsing experience. Not all of this functionality is required and may leave you more vulnerable to being attacked.

Your browsers security setting control what functionality is allowed by default.

It is important to examine your browser settings, particularly the security settings, and select options that meet your needs without putting you at increased risk.

If you update your browser or if you hear of something that might affect your browser security, re-evaluate your settings to make sure they are still appropriate. Most internet browsers provide a facility that alerts you to updates and possible security problems and explains how to fix them.

Sign up for our alert service to receive security alerts about browser security.

Most browsers provide advice on each of the security settings and explain the advantages and disadvantages of enabling or disabling functions and high and low security settings.

Ideally, you would set your security for the highest level possible. However, restricting certain features may limit some web pages from loading or functioning properly. The safest policy is to disable the majority of those features unless you decide they are necessary. If you determine that a site is trustworthy, you can choose to enable the functionality temporarily and then disable it once you are finished visiting the site.

Think about who is using your computer. If you have children using the computer or family that are not internet savvy then you might set the security to a higher level.

If you are given the option of choosing security levels, but you are in doubt about the right one, set the level to high.

Your browser's security functions can usually be found in one of the drop-down menu items. Most browsers provide advice on each of the security settings and explain the advantages and disadvantages of enabling or disabling functions and high and low security settings.

Here are some basic steps you can take when setting up your web browser

• set up your own security settings on your web browser
• if in doubt – set the security levels to high.
• use the latest version of your browser. Keep your web browser up-to-date. Most internet browsers provide a facility that alerts you to updates and possible security problems and explains how to fix them.

Information on how to change web browsers security settings is generally available from the browsers official website:

• Mozilla Firefox - Securing Mozilla Firefox - Mozilla foundation website
• IE8 - Internet Explorer 8 IE8 - Microsoft website
• Camino - Keeping you information safe – Camino website
• Safari – Safari 4 Security features – Apple website, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch: Safari web settings - Apple website
• Google Chrome - Security settings: Website security information – Google website
• Opera - Tutorial: Security and Privacy in Opera – Opera website