Secure Internet Browsing - protecting your data on networks during Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and beyond

This week we will discuss secure internet browsing 

Best Practice 4: Secure Internet Browsing 

Our past posts discussed Password/Passphrase security and Virtual Private Networks (VPN) both of which play a role in Secure Internet Browsing, so you should continue to do implement those best practices. But there are many more considerations when browsing the web.

Many of us do not change any of the default settings in our browser of choice. For the most part, those setting are designed for ease of use for the user. But the cost of that wase of use is lax security for the user. Many websites and companies collect information when you visit their site, this is, in part what cookies do. Many websites also run scripts, some of which are necessary for business, but scripts can be used to collect information or even worse, they can be tools used by hackers. It is impossible for the user to know which is which. Below you will find some tips on how to secure any browser.

Every browser has some built in security defaults. The best option is to set your security for the highest level possible. However, this will 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. In fact, you should open your browser’s security settings now and check them as you read this.

For example, if you block all cookies, some or all of the features on a webpage will not load. If you allow all cookies, then that website will share any and all information with other companies called third-parties. Only the providers of that website know who those third-parties are. We need a third option. That option is to customize your cookie settings.

In most modern browsers, there is an option under Privacy and Security to block third-party cookies. You should choose to do this; it will stop the sharing of data with the third-parties. After that is an option to clear all cookies and data when you close all windows. You should choose to do this; it will clear all of the cookies from the browser memory and it will clear all of the data you entered when browsing. Finally, there is a setting called Send a “Do Not Track” request with your browsing traffic. You should choose this option; it will stop the participating websites from tracking what you view while browsing. 

Each browser has similar settings and there are secure browsers that you can download and use. Explore your browser security settings and set them to the above settings for added protection.  

Dr. John B. Nicholas, professor of Computer Information Systems and co-founder of the CIS Cybersecurity degree track and Faculty Fellow of CISS will be posting cybersecurity best practices in The Digest each week this month. 

Next week, we will discuss Phishing and Social Engineering.