4. Common Security Threats
Not only can browsers get errors, but they can also be targeted by security threats that can compromise your data and privacy. Here are some examples of common security threats and how to address them:
Phishing
Phishing is a deceptive technique that aims to steal your personal or financial information, such as your password, credit card number, or identity. Phishing is usually done by sending a fake email or message claiming to be a legitimate source, such as a bank, company, or organization, and asking you to click on a link or fill out a form that leads to a fake website that mimics the real website. You can avoid phishing by:
- Check the source and content of an email or message you received. You should be suspicious of emails or messages that come from an unknown address, that contain spelling or grammatical errors, that offer gifts or opportunities that are too good to be true, or that threaten or urge you to do something.
- Check the URLs and certificates of the websites you visit. You should be suspicious of websites that have strange URLs, that don’t use the https protocol, or that don’t have a padlock icon in the address bar. You can also click the lock icon to see the certificate details of that website and make sure that the name and authority that issued the certificate match the website you expect.
- Never give out your personal or financial information via email, message, or website that you don’t trust. You should always contact a legitimate source directly, by phone, email, or official website, to verify the correctness of any request or offer you receive.
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Malware
Malware is malicious software that can infect your device and do a variety of harmful things, such as steal your data, change your settings, display unwanted ads, or even lock your device and demand a ransom. Malware usually enters your device through links or files you click or download from unsafe websites, or through infected USB devices or other storage media. You can avoid malware by:
- Use a trusted and up-to-date antivirus and firewall. You should always scan your device regularly to detect and remove any malware that may be present and also enable real-time protection features that can prevent malware from entering your device.
- Download and install software only from legitimate and trusted sources. You should always check the reputation and reviews of the website, developer, or software provider you are using, and also check the access rights and permissions requested by the software before installing it.
- Do not use USB devices or other storage media that you do not know or trust. You should always scan USB devices or other storage media that you receive or borrow from others, and also never insert USB devices or other storage media that you find in public places, such as cafes, airports, or schools.
Trackers and advertisers.
Trackers and advertisers are those who collect and analyze data about your behavior and preferences as you browse the internet, such as the websites you visit, the keywords you search for, or the products you buy. Their purpose is to show you ads that match your interests or sell your data to other parties. While not necessarily harmful, trackers and advertisers can compromise your privacy and comfort. You can avoid trackers and advertisers by:
- Use incognito or private mode. As explained above, this mode will prevent your browser from storing any data related to the websites you visit, including cache, cookies, history, and URL suggestions. This can help you reduce your digital footprint and avoid trackers and advertisers relying on that data.
- Use extensions or add-ons that can block or control trackers and advertisers. You can install extensions or add-ons that can give you information and choices about the trackers and advertisers on the websites you visit, and can also block or allow them as you see fit. Some examples of extensions or add-ons you can use are [Adblock Plus], [Ghostery], or [Privacy Badger].
- Use a browser or search engine that respects your privacy. You could use a browser or search engine that doesn’t collect or sell your data, or that gives you more control over your data. Some examples of browsers or search engines that you can use are [Firefox], [Brave], [DuckDuckGo], or [Qwant].