July 3, 2010 | Posted by admin
BUCHAREST, ROMANIA–(Marketwire – June 30, 2010) – With millions of Americans now storing much of their critical data and personal information online, computer viruses carry increased threats to our daily lives. In fact, close to half (49 percent) of Americans with a personal computer would be more likely to safeguard themselves from a potential virus on their PC than a human virus, such as the H1N1 flu, according to a new research report commissioned by internet security provider BitDefender® and conducted by independent research firm Kelton Research.
While Americans continue to place ever-increasing importance on their online safety, the survey found that only 36 percent are confident they would know the correct course of action if their computer was infected by a virus. Despite low awareness about computer security, most do know how to take advantage of basic antivirus software. Seventy-four percent run a scan when they hear about a computer virus spreading, 66 percent check to make sure that their antivirus software is up to date, and 25 percent buy such software if they don’t already have it installed.
“While computer viruses have always posed a significant threat to consumers, this study confirms our view that Americans are now valuing their ‘digital lives’ more than ever before,” said Catalin Cosoi, senior researcher at BitDefender. “Our lives revolve around computers and the Web, and in order to keep private information safe there needs to be more education around basic safety practices.”
Research also found that while 65 percent of Americans are more cautious about the links and files they open after hearing about a new virus, many are still not taking appropriate steps to safeguard their online data. For example, nearly one in four (26 percent) admit to having clicked on a shortened link (such as from a service like bit.ly) from someone they don’t know.
Results Summary
- 49 percent of Americans with a personal computer would be more likely to safeguard themselves from a potential virus on their PC than a human virus such as the H1N1 flu
- 64 percent of Americans aren’t confident they would know the correct course of action if their computer was infected by a virus
- 74 percent of Americans run a virus scan when they hear about a computer virus spreading, 66 percent check to see if their antivirus software is up to date, 25 percent purchase new software if they don’t have any and 5 percent don’t do anything
- 39 percent of Americans try to find out more information about a new virus they hear is spreading and 28 percent spread the news themselves
- 65 percent of Americans are more cautious about the links and files they open after hearing about a new computer virus
- 26 percent of Americans admit to having clicked on a shortened link (such as from the service, bit.ly) on the Web from someone they don’t know
About The Survey
This survey was conducted by Kelton Research, a national polling firm, between April 22 and April 27, 2010 using an email invitation and an online survey. Quotas are set to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the total U.S. population ages 18 and over. Results of any sample are subject to sampling variation. The magnitude of the variation is measurable and is affected by the number of interviews and the level of the percentages expressing the results. In this particular study, the chances are 95 in 100 that a survey result does not vary, plus or minus, by more than 3.1 percentage points from the result that would be obtained if interviews had been conducted with all persons in the universe represented by the sample.
Categories: General | 
Tags: basic antivirus software, basic safety practices, bitDefender, computer virus, H1N1, human virus, internet security provider, PC virus, safeguard online data | 
No Comments »
July 1, 2010 | Posted by admin
PandaLabs, the anti-malware laboratory of Panda Security, The Cloud Security Company, has reported the proliferation of scams hijacking the Facebook “Like” option. The attack uses eye-catching messages related to the popular game Farmville, the “Sex and the City 2” movie or the keyword sex to grab the attention of logged-in Facebook users as they browse Web pages with the “Like” button, the Facebook wall feature or messaging system.
Clicking the link brings the user to a Web page containing photos and videos of the relevant topic. Upon visiting it, a message is displayed on the user’s Facebook profile indicating that they “like” it, with a text that is not controlled by the user. According to Luis Corrons, Technical Director of PandaLabs, “This distribution technique reminds us of computer worms, although this time there doesn’t seem to be any malware behind it (at least yet).”
This technique, known as ‘clickjacking,’ uses a malformed URL with embedded code to carry out the attack. Visiting users are tricked into “liking” a page without necessarily realizing that they are recommending it to all of their Facebook friends. The real business stems from the pay-per-click system, which counts every click and generates revenue for affiliates, and from the tests offered to users on every page, which they must pay to make.
“Cyber-criminals can make money just by tricking you into visiting a Web page with ads,” Luis Corrons says. “Or worse still, they can spread malware and infect you. This possibility has not yet been exploited, but it would be relatively easy and effective to do it.”
PandaLabs advises users to be extremely wary of messages with striking subjects received from Facebook’s internal messaging system, and to take all necessary precautions when clicking the “Like” button on external Web pages. Also, PandaLabs recommends that users refrain from entering any banking or credit card information in applications that try to sell them any kind of test.
Categories: General | Tags: anti-malware, clickjacking, cloud security, computer worms, cyber-criminals, embedded code, Facebook, farmville, malformed URL, panda labs | No Comments »
June 17, 2010 | Posted by admin
Check the security settings in your web browser to make sure they are at an appropriate level. While increasing your security may affect the functionality of some web sites, it could prevent you from being attacked.
Why are security settings for web browsers important?
Your web browser is your primary connection to the rest of the internet, and multiple applications may rely on your browser, or elements within your browser, to function. This makes the security settings within your browser even more important. Many web applications try to enhance your browsing experience by enabling different types of functionality, but this functionality might be unnecessary and may leave you susceptible to being attacked. 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.
Where can you find the settings?
Each web browser is different, so you may have to look around. For example, in Internet Explorer, you can find them by clicking Tools on your menu bar, selecting Internet Options…, choosing the Security tab, and clicking the Custom Level… button. However, in Firefox, you click Tools on the menu bar and select Options…. Click the Content, Privacy, and Security tabs to explore the basic security options. Browsers have different security options and configurations, so familiarize yourself with the menu options, check the help feature, or refer to the vendor’s web site.
While every application has settings that are selected by default, you may discover that your browser also has predefined security levels that you can select. For example, Internet Explorer offers custom settings that allow you to select a particular level of security; features are enabled or disabled based on your selection. Even with these guides, it is helpful to have an understanding of what the different terms mean so that you can evaluate the features to determine which settings are appropriate for you.
How do you know what your settings should be?
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 best approach is to adopt the highest level of security and only enable features when you require their functionality.
What do the different terms mean?
Different browsers use different terms, but here are some terms and options you may find:
• Zones – Your browser may give you the option of putting web sites into different segments, or zones, and allow you to define different security restrictions for each zone.
For example, Internet Explorer identifies the following zones:
o Internet – This is the general zone for all public web sites. When you browse the internet, the settings for this zone are automatically applied to the sites you visit. To give you the best protection as you browse, you should set the security to the highest level; at the very least, you should maintain a medium level.
o Local intranet – If you are in an office setting that has its own intranet, this zone contains those internal pages. Because the web content is maintained on an internal web server, it is usually safe to have less restrictive settings for these pages. However, some viruses have tapped into this zone, so be aware of what sites are listed and what privileges they are being given.
o Trusted sites – If you believe that certain sites are designed with security in mind, and you feel that content from the site can be trusted not to contain malicious materials, you can add them to your trusted sites and apply settings accordingly. You may also require that only sites that implement Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) can be active in this zone. This permits you to verify that the site you are visiting is the site that it claims to be. This is an optional zone but may be useful if you personally maintain multiple web sites or if your organization has multiple sites. Even if you trust them, avoid applying low security levels to external sites—if they are attacked, you might also become a victim.
o Restricted sites – If there are particular sites you think might not be safe, you can identify them and define heightened security settings. Because the security settings may not be enough to protect you, the best precaution is to avoid navigating to any sites that make you question whether or not they’re safe.
• JavaScript – Some web sites rely on web scripts such as JavaScript to achieve a certain appearance or functionality, but these scripts may be used in attacks.
• Java and ActiveX controls – These programs are used to develop or execute active content that provides some functionality, but they may put you at risk.
• Plug-ins – Sometimes browsers require the installation of additional software known as plug-ins to provide additional functionality. Like Java and ActiveX controls, plug-ins may be used in an attack, so before installing them, make sure that they are necessary and that the site you have to download them from is trustworthy.
You may also find options that allow you to take the following security measures:
• Manage cookies – You can disable, restrict, or allow cookies as appropriate. Generally, it is best to disable cookies and then enable them if you visit a site you trust that requires them.
• Block pop-up windows – Although turning this feature on could restrict the functionality of certain web sites, it will also minimize the number of pop-up ads you receive, some of which may be malicious.
Categories: General | Tags: ActiveX controls, block pop-up windows, computer clarity, different internet browsers, firefox settings, internet explorer settings, internet options, local intranet, manage cookies, restricted sites, security settings, security tabs, setting applications, trusted sites, web browser settings | No Comments »
June 6, 2010 | Posted by admin
Because of its popularity, the internet has become an ideal target for advertising. As a result, spyware, or adware, has become increasingly prevalent. When troubleshooting problems with your computer, you may discover that the source of the problem is spyware software that has been installed on your machine without your knowledge.
What is spyware?
Despite its name, the term “spyware” doesn’t refer to something used by undercover operatives, but rather by the advertising industry. In fact, spyware is also known as “adware.” It refers to a category of software that, when installed on your computer, may send you pop-up ads, redirect your browser to certain web sites, or monitor the web sites that you visit. Some extreme, invasive versions of spyware may track exactly what keys you type. Attackers may also use spyware for malicious purposes.
Because of the extra processing, spyware may cause your computer to become slow or sluggish. There are also privacy implications:
• What information is being gathered?
• Who is receiving it?
• How is it being used?
How do you know if there is spyware on your computer?
The following symptoms may indicate that spyware is installed on your computer:
• you are subjected to endless pop-up windows
• you are redirected to web sites other than the one you typed into your browser
• new, unexpected toolbars appear in your web browser
• new, unexpected icons appear in the task tray at the bottom of your screen
• your browser’s home page suddenly changed
• the search engine your browser opens when you click “search” has been changed
• certain keys fail to work in your browser (e.g., the tab key doesn’t work when you are moving to the next field within a form)
• random Windows error messages begin to appear
• your computer suddenly seems very slow when opening programs or processing tasks (saving files, etc.)
How can you prevent spyware from installing on your computer?
To avoid unintentionally installing it yourself, follow these good security practices:
• Don’t click on links within pop-up windows – Because pop-up windows are often a product of spyware, clicking on the window may install spyware software on your computer. To close the pop-up window, click on the “X” icon in the title bar instead of a “close” link within the window.
• Choose “no” when asked unexpected questions – Be wary of unexpected dialog boxes asking whether you want to run a particular program or perform another type of task. Always select “no” or “cancel,” or close the dialog box by clicking the “X” icon in the title bar.
• Be wary of free downloadable software – There are many sites that offer customized toolbars or other features that appeal to users. Don’t download programs from sites you don’t trust, and realize that you may be exposing your computer to spyware by downloading some of these programs.
• Don’t follow email links claiming to offer anti-spyware software – Like email viruses, the links may serve the opposite purpose and actually install the spyware it claims to be eliminating.
As an additional good security practice, especially if you are concerned that you might have spyware on your machine and want to minimize the impact, consider taking the following action:
• Adjust your browser preferences to limit pop-up windows and cookies –
Pop-up windows are often generated by some kind of scripting or active content. Adjusting the settings within your browser to reduce or prevent scripting or active content may reduce the number of pop-up windows that appear. Some browsers offer a specific option to block or limit pop-up windows. Certain types of cookies are sometimes considered spyware because they reveal what web pages you have visited. You can adjust your privacy settings to only allow cookies for the web site you are visiting.
How do you remove spyware?
• Run a full scan on your computer with your anti-virus software – Some anti-virus software will find and remove spyware, but it may not find the spyware when it is monitoring your computer in real time. Set your anti-virus software to prompt you to run a full scan periodically.
• Run a legitimate product specifically designed to remove spyware – Many vendors offer products that will scan your computer for spyware and remove any spyware software. Popular products include Lavasoft’s Ad-Aware, Microsoft’s Window Defender, Webroot’s SpySweeper, and Spybot Search and Destroy.
• Make sure that your anti-virus and anti-spyware software are compatible – Take a phased approach to installing the software to ensure that you don’t unintentionally introduce.
Categories: Viruses, Spyware, and Other Malicious Software | Tags: adjust browser preferences, adjusting privacy settings, computer clarity, computer monitor, computer screen, free downloadable software, good security practice, how to prevent spyware, pop-up windows, removing spyware, slow computer, unexpected icons appear in the task tray, unexpected toolbars, what are cookies, what is spyware, Windows error messages | No Comments »
June 2, 2010 | Posted by admin
When the Conficker computer “worm” was unleashed on the world in November 2008, cyber-security experts didn’t know what to make of it. It infiltrated millions of computers around the globe. It constantly checks in with its unknown creators. It uses an encryption code so sophisticated that only a very few people could have deployed it. For the first time ever, the cyber-security elites of the world have joined forces in a high-tech game of cops and robbers, trying to find Conficker’s creators and defeat them. The cops are failing. And now the worm lies there, waiting …
http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2010/05/the-enemy-within/8098/.
Categories: Viruses, Spyware, and Other Malicious Software | Tags: conficker | No Comments »
June 1, 2010 | Posted by admin
Chain letters are familiar to anyone with an email account, whether they are sent by strangers or well-intentioned friends or family members. Try to verify the information before following any instructions or passing the message along.
Why are chain letters a problem?
The most serious problem is from chain letters that mask viruses or other malicious activity. But even the ones that seem harmless may have negative repercussions if you forward them:
• they consume bandwidth or space within the recipient’s inbox
• you force people you know to waste time sifting through the messages and possibly taking time to verify the information
• you are spreading hype and, often, unnecessary fear and paranoia
What are some types of chain letters?
There are two main types of chain letters:
• Hoaxes – Hoaxes attempt to trick or defraud users. A hoax could be malicious, instructing users to delete a file necessary to the operating system by claiming it is a virus. It could also be a scam that convinces users to send money or personal information. Phishing attacks could fall into this category.
• Urban legends – Urban legends are designed to be redistributed and usually warn users of a threat or claim to be notifying them of important or urgent information. Another common form are the emails that promise users monetary rewards for forwarding the message or suggest that they are signing something that will be submitted to a particular group. Urban legends usually have no negative effect aside from wasted bandwidth and time.
How can you tell if the email is a hoax or urban legend?
Some messages are more suspicious than others, but be especially cautious if the message has any of the characteristics listed below. These characteristics are just guidelines—not every hoax or urban legend has these attributes, and some legitimate messages may have some of these characteristics:
• it suggests tragic consequences for not performing some action
• it promises money or gift certificates for performing some action
• it offers instructions or attachments claiming to protect you from a virus that is undetected by anti-virus software
• it claims it’s not a hoax
• there are multiple spelling or grammatical errors, or the logic is contradictory
• there is a statement urging you to forward the message
• it has already been forwarded multiple times (evident from the trail of email headers in the body of the message)
If you want to check the validity of an email, there are some websites that provide information about hoaxes and urban legends:
• Urban Legends and Folklore – http://urbanlegends.about.com/
• Urban Legends Reference Pages – http://www.snopes.com/
• TruthOrFiction.com – http://www.truthorfiction.com/
• Symantec Security Response Hoaxes – http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/hoax.html
• McAfee Security Virus Hoaxes – http://vil.mcafee.com/hoax.asp
Categories: General | Tags: chain letters, computer clarity, computer safety, email attachments, email messages, hoaxes, urban legends, virus protection | No Comments »
May 24, 2010 | Posted by admin
There are some simple habits you can adopt that, if performed consistently, may dramatically reduce the chances that the information on your computer will be lost or corrupted.
How can you minimize the access other people have to your information?
You may be able to easily identify people who could, legitimately or not, gain physical access to your computer—family members, roommates, co-workers, members of a cleaning crew, and maybe others. Identifying the people who could gain remote access to your computer becomes much more difficult. As long as you have a computer and connect it to a network, you are vulnerable to someone or something else accessing or corrupting your information; however, you can develop habits that make it more difficult.
- Lock your computer when you are away from it. Even if you only step away from your computer for a few minutes, it’s enough time for someone else to destroy or corrupt your information. Locking your computer prevents another person from being able to simply sit down at your computer and access all of your information.
- Disconnect your computer from the Internet when you aren’t using it. The development of technologies such as DSL and cable modems has made it possible for users to be online all the time, but this convenience comes with risks. The likelihood that attackers or viruses scanning the network for available computers will target your computer becomes much higher if your computer is always connected. Depending on what method you use to connect to the Internet, disconnecting may mean disabling a wireless connection, turning off your computer or modem, or disconnecting cables. When you are connected, make sure that you have a firewall enabled
- Evaluate your security settings. Most software, including browsers and email programs, offers a variety of features that you can tailor to meet your needs and requirements. Enabling certain features to increase convenience or functionality may leave you more vulnerable to being attacked. It is important to examine the settings, particularly the security settings, and select options that meet your needs without putting you at increased risk. If you install a patch or a new version of the software, or if you hear of something that might affect your settings, reevaluate your settings to make sure they are still appropriate.
What other steps can you take?
Sometimes the threats to your information aren’t from other people but from natural or technological causes. Although there is no way to control or prevent these problems, you can prepare for them and try to minimize the damage.
- Protect your computer against power surges and brief outages. Aside from providing outlets to plug in your computer and all of its peripherals, some power strips protect your computer against power surges. Many power strips now advertise compensation if they do not effectively protect your computer. Power strips alone will not protect you from power outages, but there are products that do offer an uninterruptible power supply when there are power surges or outages. During a lightning storm or construction work that increases the odds of power surges, consider shutting your computer down and unplugging it from all power sources.
- Back up all of your data. Whether or not you take steps to protect yourself, there will always be a possibility that something will happen to destroy your data. You have probably already experienced this at least once— losing one or more files due to an accident, a virus or worm, a natural event, or a problem with your equipment. Regularly backing up your data on a CD or network reduces the stress and other negative consequences that result from losing important information. Determining how often to back up your data is a personal decision. If you are constantly adding or changing data, you may find weekly backups to be the best alternative; if your content rarely changes, you may decide that your backups do not need to be as frequent. You don’t need to back up software that you own on CD-ROM or DVD-ROM—you can reinstall the software from the original media if necessary.
Categories: General | Tags: cable modems, computer clarity, computer screens, corrupted computer file, disconnect computer, evaluate security settings, network connection, remote access, remote computer repair, scanning the network, security habits, wireless connection | No Comments »
May 18, 2010 | Posted by admin
Using anti-virus and anti-spyware software is an important part of cyber security. But in an attempt to protect yourself, you may unintentionally cause problems.
Isn’t it better to have more protection?
Spyware and viruses can interfere with your computer’s ability to process information or can modify or destroy data. You may feel that the more anti-virus and anti-spyware programs you install on your computer, the safer you will be. It is true that not all programs are equally effective, and they will not all detect the same malicious code. However, by installing multiple programs in an attempt to catch everything, you may introduce problems.
How can anti-virus or anti-spyware software cause problems?
It is important to use anti-virus and anti-spyware software. But too much or the wrong kind can affect the performance of your computer and the effectiveness of the software itself.
Scanning your computer for viruses and spyware uses some of the available memory on your computer. If you have multiple programs trying to scan at the same time, you may limit the amount of resources left to perform your tasks. Essentially, you have created a denial of service against yourself. It is also possible that in the process of scanning for viruses and spyware, anti-virus or anti-spyware software may misinterpret the virus definitions of other programs. Instead of recognizing them as definitions, the software may interpret the definitions as actual malicious code. Not only could this result in false positives for the presence of viruses or spyware, but the anti-virus or anti-spyware software may actually quarantine or delete the other software.
How can you avoid these problems?
• Investigate your options in advance – Research available anti-virus and anti-spyware software to determine the best choice for you. Consider the amount of malicious code the software recognizes, and try to find out how frequently the virus definitions are updated. Also check for known compatibility issues with other software you may be running on your computer.
• Limit the number of programs you install – Many vendors are now releasing packages that incorporate both anti-virus and anti-spyware capabilities together. However, if you decide to choose separate programs, you really only need one anti-virus program and one anti-spyware program. If you install more, you increase your risk for problems.
• Install the software in phases – Install the anti-virus software first and test it for a few days before installing anti-spyware software. If problems develop, you have a better chance at isolating the source and then determining if it is an issue with the software itself or with compatibility.
• Watch for problems – If your computer starts processing requests more slowly, you are seeing error messages when updating your virus definitions, your software does not seem to be recognizing malicious code, or other issues develop that cannot be easily explained, check your anti-virus and anti-spyware software.
Categories: General | Tags: computer clarity, error messages, installing a number of programs, installing multiple programs, online computer repair, quarantine files, remote online computer protection, spyware defense, updating virus definitions | No Comments »
May 14, 2010 | Posted by admin
ISPs offer services like email and internet access. Compare factors like security, services, and cost so that you find an ISP that supports all of your needs.
What is an ISP?
An ISP, or internet service provider, is a company that provides its customers access to the internet and other web services. In addition to maintaining a direct line to the internet, the company usually maintains web servers. By supplying necessary software, a password-protected user account, and a way to connect to the internet (e.g., modem, phone number), ISPs offer their customers the capability to browse the web and exchange email with other people. Some ISPs also offer additional services.
ISPs can vary in size—some are operated by one individual, while others are large corporations. They may also vary in scope—some only support users in a particular city, while others have regional or national capabilities.
What services do ISPs provide?
Almost all ISPs offer email and web browsing capabilities. They also offer varying degrees of user support, usually in the form of an email address or customer support hotline. Most ISPs also offer web hosting capabilities, allowing users to create and maintain personal web pages; and some may even offer the service of developing the pages for you. Many ISPs offer the option of high-speed access through DSL or cable modems, and some still offer dial-up connections.
As part of normal operation, most ISPs perform backups of email and web files. If the ability to recover email and web files is important to you, check with your ISP to see if they back up the data; it might not be advertised as a service. Additionally, some ISPs may implement firewalls to block some incoming traffic, although you should consider this a supplement to your own security precautions, not a replacement.
How do you choose an ISP?
There are thousands of ISPs, and it’s often difficult to decide which one best suits your needs. Some factors to consider include
• Security – Do you feel that the ISP is concerned about security? Does it use encryption and SSL to protect any information you submit (e.g., user name, password)?
• Privacy - Does the ISP have a published privacy policy? Are you comfortable with who has access to your information and how it is being handled and used?
• Services – Does your ISP offer the services you want? Do they meet your requirements? Is there adequate support for the services?
• Cost – Are the ISP’s costs affordable? Are they reasonable for the number of services you receive, as well as the level of those services? Are you sacrificing quality and security to get the lowest price?
• Reliability – Are the services your ISP provides reliable, or are they frequently unavailable due to maintenance, security problems, a high volume of users, or other reasons? If the ISP knows that services will be unavailable for a particular reason, does it adequately communicate that information?
• User support – Are there published methods for contacting customer support? Do you receive prompt and friendly service? Do their hours of availability accommodate your needs? Do the consultants have the appropriate level of knowledge?
• Speed – How fast is your ISP’s connection? Is it sufficient for accessing your email or navigating the internet?
• Recommendations – Have you heard or seen positive reviews about the ISP? Were they from trusted sources? Does the ISP serve your geographic area? If you’ve uncovered negative points, are they factors you are concerned about?
Categories: General | Tags: browse the web, computer clarity, email backups, encryption, exchange email, internet service provider, isp, isp services, pwesonal web pages, remote computer management, ssl protection, web hosting, web services, what is an isp? | No Comments »
May 11, 2010 | Posted by admin
Web browsers allow you to navigate the internet. There are a variety of options available, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs.
How do web browsers work?
A web browser is an application that finds and displays web pages. It coordinates communication between your computer and the web server where a particular website “lives.”
When you open your browser and type in a web address (URL) for a website, the browser submits a request to the server, or servers, that provide the content for that page. The browser then processes the code from the server (written in a language such as HTML, JavaScript, or XML) and loads any other elements (such as Flash, Java, or ActiveX) that are necessary to generate content for the page. After the browser has gathered and processed all of the components, it displays the complete, formatted web page. Every time you perform an action on the page, such as clicking buttons and following links, the browser continues the process of requesting, processing, and presenting content.
How many browsers are there?
There are many different browsers. Most users are familiar with graphical browsers, which display both text and graphics and may also display multimedia elements such as sound or video clips. However, there are also text-based browsers. The following are some well-known browsers:
• Internet Explorer
• Firefox
• AOL
• Opera
• Safari – a browser specifically designed for Macintosh computers
• Lynx – a text-based browser desirable for vision-impaired users because of the availability of special devices that read the text
How do you choose a browser?
A browser is usually included with the installation of your operating system, but you are not restricted to that choice. Some of the factors to consider when deciding which browser best suits your needs include
• Compatibility – Does the browser work with your operating system?
• Security – Do you feel that your browser offers you the level of security you want?
• Ease of use – Are the menus and options easy to understand and use?
• Functionality – Does the browser interpret web content correctly? If you need to install other plug-ins or devices to translate certain types of content, do they work?
• Appeal – Do you find the interface and way the browser interprets web content visually appealing?
Can you have more than one browser installed at the same time?
If you decide to change your browser or add another one, you don’t have to uninstall the browser that’s currently on your computer—you can have more than one browser on your computer at once. However, you will be prompted to choose one as your default browser. Anytime you follow a link in an email message or document, or you double-click a shortcut to a web page on your desktop, the page will open using your default browser. You can manually open the page in another browser.
Most vendors give you the option to download their browsers directly from their websites. Make sure to verify the authenticity of the site before downloading any files. To further minimize risk, follow other good security practices, like using a firewall and keeping anti-virus software up to date.
Categories: General | Tags: browser security, browsing the internet, choosing a browser, communication between your computer and the web server, computer clarity, computer operating system, default browser, good security practive, How do web browsers work, minimize risk, navigate the internet, online computer protection, remote computer services, text-based browser | No Comments »