Browser Security
Why Secure My Browser?
Securing your web browser (i.e. Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Safari) can prevent a variety of problems from spyware being installed without your knowledge to intruders taking control of your computer.
There is an increasing threat from software attacks that take advantage of vulnerable web browsers. This problem is worsened by a number of factors, including the following:
- Many users have a tendency to click on links without considering the risks of their actions.
- Web page addresses can be disguised or take you to an unexpected site.
- Many web browsers are configured to provide increased functionality at the cost of decreased security.
- New security vulnerabilities are often discovered after the software is configured and packaged by the manufacturer.
- Computer systems and software packages may be bundled with additional software, which increases the number of vulnerabilities that may be attacked.
- Third-party software may not have a mechanism for receiving security updates.
- Many websites require that users enable certain features or install more software, putting the computer at additional risk.
- Many users do not know how to configure their web browsers securely.
- Many users are unwilling to enable or disable functionality as required to secure their web browser.
As a result, exploiting vulnerabilities in web browsers has become a popular way for attackers to compromise computer systems.
How to Secure Your Web Browser
Some software features that provide functionality to a web browser, such as ActiveX, Java, Scripting (JavaScript, VBScript, etc.), may also introduce vulnerabilities to the computer system.
Some web browsers permit you to fully disable the use of these technologies, while others may permit you to enable features on a per-site basis.
Go to the individual browsers own home page for up-to-date information on their security and privacy settings.
Features You Should Think About Using:
- Don’t remember my history.
- Don’t accept third party cookies.
- Clear history when browser closes.
- Warn me when sites try to install add-ons.
- Block reported attack sites.
- Don’t remember passwords.
- Automatically install browser updates.
- Don’t autofill web forms.
- Don’t allow sites to show pop-ups.
- Ask when a site wants to run a plugin.
- Don’t run javascript.
Keeping Your Computer Secure
Enable automatic browser software updates if available
Browser vendors will usually release patches for their software when a vulnerability has been discovered. Look on the browser website for information about automatic notification. If no mailing list or other automated notification mechanism is offered, you may need to check the browser's website periodically for updates.
Install and use antivirus software
Any computer that is connected to Lamar’s local area network (LAN) or VPN via a LEA account, is protected by Lamar University IT security systems and software. This includes anti-virus/malware and network protection. Lamar University systems are licensed for firewall and anti-virus/malware software. This software is updated and managed by Lamar University IT.
To check for anti-virus/anti-malware on a Lamar computer:
On a PC,
- Mouse over the taskbar at the bottom right corner of your PC.
- Click on the icon that looks like an up
arrow that is the “Show Hidden Icons”. - Mouse over these icons until you find the Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
and Symantec Endpoint Protection 
icons.
On an Apple computer,
- Check the right corner of the Menu Bar for a Yellow Shield
. - There is no anti-malware for Apple computers at this time.
For personal computers,
Windows and Apple Operating Systems,
- Both come with their own firewalls.
- Make sure they are running and kept up to date.
- Window’s Operating Systems come with Windows Defender virus protection installed.
- This applies to Windows Operating Systems back to Windows Vista.
- This is also available for Windows XP at no charge but it is a manual install.
Apple computers,
- Do not have virus protection pre-installed.
- To learn which protection is best for you, please visit the following website:
- https://www.av-comparatives.org/.
- Click on Mac Security Reviews, then click on the Latest Mac Security Report.
Avoid unsafe behavior
- Use caution when opening email attachments or when using peer-to-peer file sharing, instant messaging, or chat rooms.
- Don't enable file sharing on network interfaces exposed directly to the Internet.
Don't enable it if you don't need it
Consider creating and using an account with limited privileges instead of an 'administrator' or 'root' level account for everyday tasks. Depending on the operating system, you only need to use administrator level access when installing new software, changing system configurations, etc. Many vulnerability exploits are executed with the privileges of the user that runs them — making it far more risky to be logged in as an administrator all the time.
