Believe it or not, even the simple act of web browsing at work can put you and your employees at risk of countless cybersecurity threats. There are many browsers available these days such as Chrome, Safari, Duck Duck Go, Edge, Firefox, and others. Each browser offers varying levels of default privacy configurations – some of which you manually adjust for stronger protection. One web browser that we often recommend is called Brave. It’s built off the open-source Chromium Web core. By default, the free Brave Browser and Brave Search engine blocks privacy-invasive ads & trackers, prevents third-party data storage, and upgrades every webpage possible to secure https connections. Brave also offers subscription-based firewall and VPN features.
No matter which browser you use, read on to learn six ways to ensure safe web browsing that will help keep your employees and your company safe from potential harm.
Keep Your Browser Updated
There are many reasons why web browser companies release regular updates for you to download – keeping hackers at bay is one of the most important. Cybercriminals will often seek out web browsers’ vulnerabilities to attack those who utilize the application. By keeping your web browser updated, in addition to routine hardware updates, you can ensure you have the latest security advancements to help prevent hackers from attacking your personal and professional data. There are even a few web browser companies out there that offer automatic updates (like Chrome and Firefox) to ensure that their users are protected.
Install Antivirus Software
Installing antivirus software is essential for keeping viruses and other forms of malware away from your devices. Antivirus software offers a variety of security features such as firewall, spyware and identity protection. It is also important to keep your antivirus software up to date so that it can effectively keep you protected from the latest cyber threats. At BrightLink Technology, we offer a number of threat prevention services including antivirus and firewall installation to help keep your business secured.
Use Ad-Blocking Software
Even though online ads may seem harmless, they oftentimes contain dangerous widgets and scripts that send your information to third parties without your knowledge or consent. Installing ad-blocking software will stop banner ads, rollovers and pop-up ads from appearing on the websites that you visit. It can also help prevent you from visiting disguised malware-infested sites by accident.
Look for the Lock
Always remember that not all websites are safe! For example, if you have ever visited a website and seen a “Your Connection Is Not Private” message, it’s a telling sign that the site you are trying to visit is not fully protected. Usually, this type of message designates that the browser cannot verify the website’s SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate – a digital authentication that proves a website’s security and encrypts information between the website and the user. When an SSL certificate is active, you will see a small lock symbol next to the domain address in your browser window. Without this essential certificate, the specific website can be vulnerable to malware which can track and even steal sensitive data from the site and its users.
Clear Your Cookies and Cache
Many users visit several websites in one day. Websites often create small bits of code, also called cookies, that are stored as files on our devices to save browsing data. On one hand, those cookies and stored cache will help load the same website faster on a subsequent visit, and it can remember things like what products you looked at before.
However, it’s best practice to clear out cookies and cache as often as possible. Cybercriminals are also able to steal cookies to access private data. They’ll stop at no length to attain sensitive data in whatever way is possible.
Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
Non-secure networks and browsers allow hackers to intercept data transferred between two parties, allowing them to steal sensitive information. VPNs can prevent this problem and ensure safe internet browsing because it encrypts your data before sending you to a website. In return, the website, internet providers, and advertisers are unable to track your internet activities.
Professional Information Security Company in Jacksonville
BrightLink Technology provides comprehensive IT security services for businesses of all kinds in Jacksonville, from medical practices to law firms, large corporations and small businesses. We can help you fortify your computers, your networks, your data and your business with antivirus and malware software, data storage solutions, remote monitoring, and more. Call us for a complimentary IT analysis at (904) 619-1966.