As many people have already learned, either through word of mouth or by personal experience, Internet Explorer is probably the WORST browser you could use for the security of your personal data. Between gaping holes in the coding, ease of manipulation for viruses, and the mass use in the marketplace, internet explorer is ripe with vulnerabilities.These vulnerabilities allow attackers to view,change,hijack and even steal your banking,clientele, or other personal data. Even so, there are still people who are so instilled with the thoughts that if it comes from microsoft, its best. Because of this, I decided to develop a step by step guide for Internet Explorer users to securely browse the web.
Before Opening Your Browser
A.Right Click on the “Internet Explorer” Icon. Click on “Properties“. Check to be sure that the Program Path is not taking you to a program besides Internet Explorer.If something unexpected is in the program path, you need to delete the desktop Icon and replace it with an authentic link.
Your browser is open, Now What?
B.Go to “Tools” click on “Internet Options” Be sure that your Homepage Is Not set to a webpage that you do not know.
C.In the Address Bar Type in- “www.mozilla.com”. Press “Enter”
D.Press “Download” and Download Mozilla Firefox- The Secure, Customizable Web Browser.
Sorry, But there are currently simply too many ways for the end-user (You) To be decieved in Internet explorer. I just cannot, with a clear conscience, advise anyone to use Internet Explorer- Especially for “Secure WebSurfing”. If you MUST use internet explorer, do not visit any websites that
A- You Do Not Know and Trust
B- Asks for your password
C-Has Embeddable content
Internet explorer should be an absolute LAST RESORT for anyone who values privacy, or who enjoys having money in their bank account.
You can also use VMWare to create a virtual environment only used for browsing. Don’t make any changes to it and restart it fresh each time you need it.
Another option is to use Linux instead of Windows. Of course, IE won’t work there.
Comment by Ron W — August 1, 2008 @ 3:15 pm