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Making Internet Explorer More Secure
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Welcome to the Jungle
Are you someone who only uses the Internet to check your email?
Do you think that cyber crime only affects people who use the
Internet all day? Think again.
Anyone whose computer is connected to the Internet (even if only
once a day to check email) is a possible target for online crime.
A survey conducted by the Better Business Bureau found that in the
last year, over 1 million people had crucial personal information
stolen from them through the Internet. And according to the FTC, it
costs the average victim more than $1,000 to cope with the damage
from identity theft.
Are you leaving a welcome mat for Hackers?
Roughly 84% of people on the Internet today have Microsoft
Internet Explorer installed as their primary web browser.
With that many people using the same browser, Internet Explorer
is usually the first place a hacker goes when trying to break into
a system. According to a SecurityFocus report, since its release in
2001, IE version 6 has had some 153 holes reported. That’s 153 ways
for a hacker to break into your computer!
Is your PC a target?
The most basic way of strengthening your online security is
to keep Microsoft Internet Explorer totally up to date by constantly
downloading the patches released by Microsoft. But even then, there
are still reported problems that Microsoft hasn’t gotten to and even
other problems that Microsoft refuses to address.
Some online security experts recommend:
- instead of clicking on hyperlinks, typing in the web address
- installing powerful popup blockers that prevent popups from
happening on any site
- disabling all multimedia effects on websites
But what about popup windows from your bank or favorite online bookstore?
Don’t you want to be able to see those?
And isn’t being able to click on hyperlinks one of the core technologies
that the Internet was built on?
Why should you have to alter or limit your online capabilities? A better
solution to the browser security problem is to look into using a browser
that was built with security in mind.
What Are Your Alternatives?
There are several browsers on the market today that are excellent
alternatives to Internet Explorer in terms of browser security. And with
so many choices, it’s important to know what to look for in a browser
comparison.
1. Advanced Pop-Up Blocking
If you’ve ever been on the receiving end of a popup attack, I’m sure
you can relate to the frustration of having to close all those windows.
But on the other hand, legitimate companies also use popups as a way to
add more content and functionality to their websites. You want a secure
browser that will keep the good ones and get rid of everything else.
The latest trend in popups is "Windows Messenger Ads". These hard to spot
ads look like a typical informational message you may get from a program.
However since hackers have discovered them, they’re now being used to
advertise products. A good popup blocker should block both Windows
Messenger popups as well as regular popups.
2. New Flash and ActiveX Controls
Websites today are a virtual buffet of colors, images, sounds and
animations. Flash and ActiveX are two technologies that allow not only
multimedia effects on websites, but also interactive functions like ones
that might be used by your bank or online news website.
These technologies sound great but unfortunately, both Flash and
ActiveX have documented security holes. And hackers can climb through
these holes and break into your PC!
Should you just get rid of Flash and Active X?
The good news is there is no reason why you should have to give up
the benefits of added functionality, color and animation. You just
have to restrict these privileges to websites you trust (like your
bank and favorite news sites). Unlike Internet Explorer, a secure
browser will let you choose which websites can have Flash and ActiveX
privileges and which websites will be restricted.
3. Unique Cookie Management
You remembered my name? How thoughtful. Or is it? Lots of websites use
a type of file called a cookie to store information on your computer.
This means that certain websites will “remember” your name or items that
you have recently bought from them. This certainly makes the Internet a
lot more convenient!
Unfortunately, hackers can also use cookies to gather information about
you. And if you aren’t careful, they can even use cookies to get your address,
credit card number or other sensitive information.
With a secure web browser you get to enjoy the convenience of cookies but
minimize the risk, by picking and choosing which websites have cookie privileges
and which websites don’t.
Where Can You Turn?
Even with updates, Internet Explorer does not offer the type of web
browser security that will keep you safe of the Internet. In fact,
there is only one web browser on the market today that offers everything
listed in this article. Secure IE is a secure web browser that was developed
with total Internet security in mind.
A Unique Solution:
Secure IE’s unique Internet Security Manager offers you not only security but
flexibility as well. Within the Internet Security Manager, you classify websites
by security zones. And then the Internet Security Manager will take care of
everything else for you. It will automatically tune your PC security levels
and update itself, so you don’t have to worry about anything. You get the
strong security you need without having to sacrifice all the features on your
favorite websites that make the Internet so much fun.
Online security threats are real and anyone could become a target. If you
value your identity and your credit report then the time has come for you
to be concerned about the security of your PC. With Secure IE on your side,
you can rest assured that you are protected.
Learn More About Secure IE...
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