Browsing Paranoia
Are we overdoing personal security in our day to day uses of
computers -- especially when we are going online?
I notice that I have developed strange behavior after visiting
secure sites, buying something online, or going to a website
where I needed to enter a username and password to gain access.
When I am done, I log out. But, before going to another website,
I shut down the browser and then restart before visiting another
website.
This level of browsing paranoia stems from the fear that if I
jump from one website to another, there is a risk my username
and password or other information could be grabbed by the second
site.
It does not matter if I am using MSIE, Firefox or Opera. My
behavior is the same. Incidentally, I use Opera more often now
that it has dropped ads. My behavior is the same. Incidentally,
I use Opera more often now that it has dropped ads. See Opera
On My Laptop.
The thing about my odd browsing behavior is that it is based on
the idea that a malicious website could get user names and
passwords for my previous session. I feel like I have read about
that a thousand times. However, the next site is almost always
from my list of favorites. Unless there has been a change of
ownership or the site has been hacked, I believe those sites can
be trusted. After all, I have accounts at some.
Make Sure Browsers Are Fully Patched
Unfortunately, that statement reinforces the fact that we must
make sure that our browsers are fully patched at all times. Many
high profile sites have been hacked and many tricks used by
criminal minds to divert us to the dark corners of the web. I
try to be careful to use the latest, fully patched version of
each browser at all times. Especially MSIE.
At the same time, I mostly browse the internet from a computer
using the Windows XP operating system. The installed firewall is
turned on. All listening ports are closed. This is the default
on new versions of windows. But, if you are reinstalling an old
version, make sure you are not connected to the internet until
after you turn the firewall on and block all ports.
Post Install Security
When I installed windows, I visited the Gibson Research Corporation
website and ran three important programs:
http://www.grc.com/unpnp/unpnp.htm">Unplug 'n Pray, DECOMbobulator, and Shoot The
Messenger. These steps created a baseline for security on my
system. These post-install routines are easy to do. Take only a
few minutes. And eliminate a host of potential worries.
For a second line of defense, I would recommend SpyWareBlaster by
from Javacool Software. The program tweaks some internal
Internet Explorer settings to block the installation of known
spyware (and similar threats) installers.
However, even with this layered approach to security I still
close my browser when I am switching from secure to insecure
sites -- especially after buying something online!