Overview
This lecture covers key browser security practices, including safe installation, extension management, data privacy controls, use of password vaults, proxy settings, secure DNS, and browser synchronization features.
Safe Browser Installation
- Always download browsers directly from official developer sites, not through third-party links or emails.
- Verify the downloaded file integrity by comparing its hash (e.g., SHA-256) with the one listed on the official website.
- Use hashing tools (available on Mac OS, Linux, Windows) to generate and compare file hashes.
Browser and Extension Security
- Keep your browser updated to the latest version for enhanced security.
- Only install browser extensions from trusted sources such as official stores.
- Extensions can access sensitive data and control your browser; avoid unknown or third-party extensions.
- Researchers have identified malicious extensions that steal credentials, take screenshots, or log keystrokes.
Password Management
- Use a reputable password vault to generate, store, and encrypt unique passwords for every site.
- Password vaults can synchronize across devices and offer added protection against credential reuse attacks.
- Password vaults are available for both personal and business use.
Website Certificates and Errors
- Browsers may warn about certificate errors due to expiration, domain mismatch, or untrusted certificate authorities.
- Check certificate details to identify the cause of trust issues.
- Ensure your device date and time are correct to avoid certificate validity errors.
- Use sites like badssl.com to test browser behavior with various certificate issues.
Privacy and Browsing Data Controls
- Browsers allow you to clear history, saved passwords, cache, and downloads to protect privacy.
- Deleting the browser cache can resolve application issues caused by outdated or corrupted files.
- Private browsing mode prevents storing local browsing history, cache, and cookies.
Browser Synchronization and Settings
- Signing into your browser enables synchronization of bookmarks, extensions, and settings across devices.
- Syncing stores data in the cloud, allowing consistent environments on multiple computers.
Blocking Ads and Tracking
- Built-in ad blockers reduce intrusive advertising but may not block all ads.
- Privacy settings allow you to limit website tracking and control information stored by third-party sites.
Business Controls: Proxy Servers
- Proxies sit between users and the internet, controlling, filtering, and inspecting web traffic.
- Proxies can require manual or automatic configuration in browser settings (explicit vs. transparent proxies).
- Proxies may cache web content, perform authentication, and enforce browsing policies.
Secure DNS
- Secure DNS encrypts DNS requests using DNS over HTTPS (DoH) to prevent eavesdropping.
- Enable secure DNS in browser settings if supported by your DNS provider.
Extension Management
- Use the browser's extension manager to review, enable, or disable installed extensions.
- Regularly check that all installed extensions are trusted and necessary.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Hash (e.g., SHA-256) — A unique value generated from a file to verify its integrity.
- Extension (Browser Add-in) — Software that adds features to a browser.
- Password Vault — An encrypted database for storing and managing passwords.
- Certificate Authority — A trusted entity that issues digital certificates for websites.
- Cache — Temporary storage for website data to speed up browsing.
- Private Browsing Mode — A browser mode that does not save local history or data.
- Proxy — An intermediary server controlling traffic between a local network and the internet.
- Secure DNS / DNS over HTTPS (DoH) — Technology that encrypts DNS traffic for stronger privacy.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Ensure your browser and extensions are updated from official sources.
- Set up and use a trusted password vault for all credentials.
- Review certificate warnings and check your device’s clock settings.
- Periodically clear browsing data and consider using private browsing for sensitive activities.
- Check your browser’s privacy, ad-blocking, and synchronization settings.
- If on a business network, confirm your proxy settings are configured as required.