How to increase browser security? How to prevent stealing of passwords and credi

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How to increase browser security? How to prevent stealing of passwords and credit card details?


We use internet for many purposes. In many websites we use different login names and passwords. For example, if you use any of the free web emails such as gmail, yahoo or hotmail then you will have to login with your login name and password before accessing your email inbox.

Similarly, if you use any commercial websites for internet shopping such as Amazon or eBay then you may have to use your credit card details before buying online. Only then can you buy online. If we lose credit card related information then we may lose money. If this information falls into the hands of hackers then we are seriously at danger of losing money. This hacker can then use your credit card details to buy anything.

Worse still, if someone uses your login name and password to login to a server and carries out any destructive activities then you will be blamed for that activity. Court trial or penalties or fine may make your life miserable.

The password, credit card details can be stolen from three places.

From your computer, when you type in your browser these key strokes can be captured

Or while this information packets are transmitted from your computer to the server. This is called 'Wiretapping'. Hackers and crackers can easily accomplish this.

From the web server's database. In this database, like your data, many people's information will be stored. If the hacker gains access to these databases then he can get these data.

Of these, the first and the second method of stealing can be prevented by you. The third way of stealing from web server, is not in your hands and you can not do anything to prevent it. Let us see how you can prevent the first two methods of stealing.

The login name, password and credit card details that you type in your browser are sent as text via internet to the web servers. The hackers and crackers can easily read this text. They cannot read it if it is encrypted. This is where Secure Sockets Layers are used.

Whether the web server that you are connecting to, uses SSL to encrypt the data can be found from your browser. For example a 'closed lock' icon will be displayed in the status bar of your browser. If there is not clocl icon in the status bar then those websites do not use SSL and therefore not secure.

In your 'Internet Explorer' choose 'Tools-Internet Options'. In this new dialog box select the 'Advanced' tab. Here, you will see many check boxes under the security section. 1. Use SSL 2.0. 2.Dont save encrypted pages to disk 3. warn if form submitted is being redirected 4. warn if changing between secure and not secure mode. 5. check for server certificated relocation 6. warn about invalid site certificates. See that all these six options are selected.

From now on, the browser will prompt your, whenever you enter/view websites whether that page is secure, and when you type any details, whether the data is encrypted or not.

In login pages, when you key in the first two or three letters of your username, Internet explorer will auto complete the username and password to make it easier for you. But this feature can be a problem if many people are using the same computer. Others may enter into your account just by typing the username and without even knowing your password. So it is better to 'TURN OFF', 'Auto Complete' feature. To do this, select 'Tools-Internet Options'. Choose the 'Content' tab and click the 'Auto complete' button. Click on the 'Clear passwords' button and delete all the stored passwords. If the 'Usernames and passwords on forms' check box is selected then de select it.

Also clear all the cache files from your browser. To do this select 'Tools-Internet Options'. Select the 'General' tab. In the 'Temporary internet files' section click the 'Delete Files' button. Now click on 'Yes' and 'OK'.

Congratulations, now you have reduced the possibility of your passwords to be stolen.