Smart settings for your internet browser

An internet browser is the software we all use to access websites.

Today most computers come with an Internet 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 internet browser settings, so it is important to select the right settings to protect your personal information. The higher your levels are set, the fewer options and functions you will have available. Your browser operates slower and some aspects of some websites may not be available to you, but it also means that 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 at a faster speed.

What you need to do…

1. 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/disabling functions and high and low security settings.
2. Visit the website of the vendor whose browser you use to learn more about its security settings. If a vendor does not provide documentation on how to secure the browser, it is important to contact them and ask for it.
3. 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 and limit your experience using some websites.
4. Keep your Internet 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

Securing Your Web Browser gives an explanation about the various aspects of popular browsers’ security settings—published online by the Carnegie Mellon Software Institute.

Mozilla provides some information on how to change the security settings on their Internet browser Firefox

Netscape provides some information on how to change the security settings on their Internet browser Netscape Navigator

Microsoft provides some information on how to change the security settings on their Internet browser Internet Explorer version 6 Internet Explorer version 7