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Step 5: Smart settings for your web browser
A web browser is the software we all use to view websites. Today most computers come with a web browser already installed. However, there is no guarantee that the web browser has been set up with the right security settings for your needs. Hackers know how to exploit web browser settings, so it is important to select the right settings to protect your personal information.
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.
How to configure smart settings for your web browser
- Look for your browser's security functions (these can usually be found in one of the drop-down menu items) and set them to the level most suitable for your needs. 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.
- Visit the website of the vendor whose browser you use to learn more about its security settings. If a vendor does not provide information on how to secure the browser, it is important to contact them and ask for it.
- If you are given the option of choosing security levels, but you are in doubt about the right one, set the level to high. However, it is important to understand that the higher you set your browser security settings, the more you may limit, or restrict completely, the functions you can perform on the internet. This may limit your experience using some websites.
- Keep your web browser up-to-date by visiting the vendor's website frequently. Most internet browsers provide a facility that alerts you to updates and possible security problems and explains how to fix them.
Further information
Information is available on how to change the security settings on various web browsers:
Simple guides to securing the Microsoft Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox browsers are available under Fact sheets.
