What's The Best Web Browser For Your Business? | Business ...

Bari Abdul, 16/03/2012, posted in "Enterprise"

Bari Abdul is Vice President of Check Point's Consumer Business, ZoneAlarm, focused on innovating consumer security for the digital age. He has over 20 years of experience developing and ...more info

Bari Abdul is Vice President of Check Point's Consumer Business, ZoneAlarm, focused on innovating consumer security for the digital age. He has over 20 years of experience developing and executing go-to-market strategies that deliver record revenue and market share. ...less info

When a massive spam attack posted violent and indecent images across the news feeds of many Facebook users last year, many wondered how hackers had launched the attack. Turns out, it was by exploiting a vulnerability in users? web browsers.

The event shed light on an often-overlooked issue of online security, your web browser. There are many browsers available, such as Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, and Microsoft?s Internet Explorer. But the real question is: which browser offers the most protection?

Many browsers are fighting for market share, and therefore paying more attention to their security, but popularity and security are not always equal.

Rankings

A recent study has revealed that the UK?s most popular browser, Internet Explorer, isn?t ranked as the most secure compared to the second most popular browser Google Chrome, which won the title.?Furthermore, last month the German government also named Chrome the most secure browser, perhaps lending weight to the study.

Overall, Chrome ranks the highest in creating and putting into use new safety measures to boost its security, with Internet Explorer only slightly behind. Firefox was deemed the least secure in the study.

Despite these recent findings, the browser wars remain a hot-button issue, with various entities dubbing some browsers more secure than others. During a hacker conference in 2011 at which hackers attacked four popular browsers: Internet Explorer, Apple Safari, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome. The hackers were able to quickly compromise Internet Explorer and Safari.

Interestingly, and somewhat contrary to the study, Chrome and Firefox both resisted hacking attacks during the exercise.?Regardless of the browser, manufacturers are always working to ensure users can enjoy surfing the web safely and securely. However, alongside these security advances, cybercriminals worldwide step up in their attempt to break through these security barriers and continue the hacking process.

This means that it?s important for users to educate themselves about this threat and take the steps necessary to lessen their chances of falling victim to a browser security breach.

What you need to remember

• If you plan to download a new or different browser, make sure you are downloading a legitimate version. Go directly to the manufacturer?s site, and ignore ads or popups ? they may be tricks to get you to install a corrupt version
• Set your online preferences to allow for software updates. Some browsers, such as Internet Explorer and Safari, will automatically update with your operating system. But others, including Firefox, automatically update themselves to deploy security patches and provide enhanced security features
• Set your browser?s security settings to the highest possible to prevent others from exploiting your browser
• Disable popups in your browsers or install security software that prevents popup windows. Deploying infected popups is a popular way that hackers trick users into downloading malware.

Finally, no matter which browser you use, always follow safe practices and remain alert to any unusual or suspicious functioning when you log onto the web.

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Source: http://www.businesscomputingworld.co.uk/whats-the-best-web-browser-for-your-business/

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