Browsers are one of the keys to internet security. Actually, I suppose they're really more like the car than the key. After all, they're the vehicle we use to travel around the web. Occasionally an unwanted passenger jumps on board though, and could even carjack your browser - taking you somewhere you don't want to be.



The question is, what can you do to stop them?

There are a number of options, the first of which is the browser software you choose to use. Microsoft's Internet Explorer still has the lion's share of the market, but it's losing ground to other, more secure browsers such as Firefox.

Even when not inherently better, other browsers and operating systems are less popular targets. Until both legislators and software vendors get really serious about security, it's possible to reduce your 'target area' by staying out of the limelight.

Another key to improving your browser security is learning more about it.

There are a large number of options in both Internet Explorer and most other browsers that control what is and isn't allowed. Most users have little or no knowledge of how these setting affect them.

For example, is it desirable to 'Allow ActiveX controls and plug-ins' to Run, or should that be set to Prompt? Individual judgments here, as in all aspects of security in life, have to be made. One factor is your tolerance for responding to prompts versus your willingness to risk infection. After all, you have to decide whom to let in your car, don't you?

This is the sort of trade-off that is a pain in the neck and hopefully won't be necessary one day. For now, however, you should do some reading to learn more about these settings and how they affect you. If your computer ever crashes because of some internet security attack, you'll wish you'd spent the time to learn it.

Proper use of your browser is another key component of security. Do you actually read those warning messages that come up once in a while or do you just click OK and move along? Unless you really know you can trust a website, it's always better to err on the side of caution.

Most people don't realize just how much information is made available simply by browsing the internet. When you visit a website, various pieces of information about your location and your computer get shared with them - it's a two way street.

Take some time to learn how to lock your system down, even beyond just the browser, to make sure that you won't be hit by some kind of attack.