Browsers

Protect Your Business From A Data Leak With The Microsoft Edge Browser

July 12, 2024

Microsoft Edge for Business has just rolled out new data leak control capabilities. And that could be a good thing for keeping your sensitive info safe.

What are data leak control capabilities?

In plain English, they help prevent your sensitive information from getting out to the wrong people. Think of it as having an extra lock on your digital doors, making sure only the right people can access your important data.

Every business handles sensitive information, whether it’s financial records, client details, or proprietary data. If this information leaks, it could mean big trouble: Financial loss, legal headaches, and a hit to your reputation.

This new feature in Microsoft Edge helps keep your data secure by making sure only authorized people can access it. It also stops accidental sharing.

Depending on your industry, you may have strict rules about data protection. These new controls can help you stay on the right side of regulations.

And let’s not forget your customers. They’re more aware than ever about data privacy. Using a browser with strong data leak controls shows you’re serious about protecting their information, which can boost their trust in your business.

Microsoft Edge for Business has added this new feature into an easy-to-use package. You can set policies on how data can be shared – like stopping certain types of data from being copied or emailed to unauthorized recipients. This way, you’re less likely to have accidental leaks.

It uses artificial intelligence to spot potential threats and unusual data movements. Edge can alert you to a potential leak before it happens, giving you a chance to act proactively.

If you’re already using other Microsoft products like 365 or Microsoft Teams, good news: Edge for Business integrates smoothly with them, letting you apply consistent data protection across all your tools.

Ready to give it a spin? Here’s what to do:

Update your browser: Make sure all your business’s devices are using the latest version of Microsoft Edge for Business. This makes sure you have all the newest features and security updates.
Set your policies: Work with your IT support partner to set up data sharing policies that make sense for your business. Microsoft provides guidelines and templates to help you get started.
Train your team: Make sure your employees know about the importance of data security and how to use the new features. A quick training session can do the trick.
Monitor and adjust: Keep an eye on how things are working and tweak your policies as needed. You want to find a balance that keeps your data secure without disrupting your workflow.

Better still, why not get our team to just do this for you? Give us a call at (734) 457-5000.

Online Security: Addressing The Dangers Of Browser Extensions

March 26, 2024

Browser extensions have become as common as mobile apps. People tend to download many and use few. There are over 176,000 browser extensions available on Google Chrome alone. These extensions offer users extra functionalities and customization options.

While browser extensions enhance the browsing experience, they also pose a danger. Which can mean significant risks to online security and privacy.

The allure and perils of browser extensions

Browser extensions are often hailed for their convenience and versatility. They are modules that users can add to their web browsers. They extend functionality and add customizable elements.

From ad blockers and password managers to productivity tools, the variety is vast. But the ease with which users can install these extensions is a weakness. Because it also introduces inherent security risks.

Key risks posed by browser extensions

Many browser extensions request broad permissions. If abused, they can compromise user privacy. Some of these include accessing browsing history and monitoring keystrokes. Certain extensions may overstep their intended functionality. This can lead to the unauthorized collection of sensitive information.

Users often grant permissions without thoroughly reviewing them. This causes them to unintentionally expose personal data to potential misuse.

There are many extensions developed with genuine intentions. But some extensions harbor malicious code. This code can exploit users for financial gain or other malicious purposes. These rogue extensions may inject unwanted ads. As well as track user activities or even deliver malware.

These extensions often use deceptive practices. They make it challenging for users to distinguish between legitimate and malicious software.

Extensions that are no longer maintained or updated pose a significant security risk. Outdated extensions may have unresolved vulnerabilities. Hackers can exploit them to gain access to a user’s browser. As well as potentially compromising their entire system. Without regular updates and security patches, these extensions become a liability.

Some malicious extensions engage in phishing attacks. As well as social engineering tactics. These attacks can trick users into divulging sensitive information.

This can include creating fake login pages or mimicking popular websites. These tactics lead unsuspecting users to unknowingly provide data. Sensitive data, like usernames, passwords, or other confidential details.

Best practices for browser extension security

Download extensions only from official browser marketplaces. Such as those connected with the browser developer (Google, Microsoft, etc.). These platforms have stringent security measures in place. This reduces the likelihood of encountering malicious software.

Before installing any extension, carefully review the permissions it requests. Be cautious if an extension seeks access to unusual data. Such as data that seems unrelated to its core functionality. Limit permissions to only what is essential for the extension’s intended purpose.

Regularly update your browser extensions. This ensures you have the latest security patches. Developers release updates to address vulnerabilities and enhance security. If an extension is no longer receiving updates, consider finding an alternative.

It’s tempting to install several extensions for various functionalities. But each added extension increases the potential attack surface. Only install extensions that are genuinely needed. Regularly review and uninstall those that are no longer in use.

Use reputable antivirus and anti-malware software. This adds an extra layer of protection against malicious extensions. These tools can detect and remove threats that may bypass browser security.

Stay informed about the potential risks associated with browser extensions. Understand the permissions you grant. Be aware of the types of threats that can arise from malicious software. Education is a powerful tool in mitigating security risks.

Don’t stay in the dark about your defenses. We can assess your cybersecurity measures and provide proactive steps for better protection. Give us a call today to schedule a chat.

Make Your Chrome Browser Work Harder For You

March 20, 2023

Chrome is a popular web browser that many people use for browsing the internet. However, did you know that there are many ways to make your Chrome browser work harder for you? Here are some tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your Chrome experience.

Use extensions

Chrome has a vast library of extensions that can help you do everything from blocking ads to managing your tabs. You can find extensions for almost anything you need to do, and many of them are free. Some popular extensions include Adblock Plus, LastPass, and Google Translate.

To use an extension, simply download it from the Chrome Web Store and add it to your browser. Once it’s installed, you can access it by clicking on the extension icon in the top right corner of your browser.

Sync your data

Chrome has a handy feature that allows you to sync your data across multiple devices. This means that you can access your bookmarks, browsing history, and saved passwords from any device with Chrome installed.

To enable syncing, click on the three dots in the top right corner of your browser and select “Settings.” From there, click on “Sync and Google services” and turn on the toggle switch for “Sync.” You’ll then need to sign in to your Google account to enable syncing.

Use keyboard shortcuts

Keyboard shortcuts can save you a lot of time and make your browsing experience more efficient. Some common Chrome shortcuts include:

Ctrl + T to open a new tab
Ctrl + W to close the current tab
Ctrl + Shift + T to reopen the last closed tab
Ctrl + Shift + N to open a new incognito window

You can find a full list of Chrome shortcuts by clicking on the three dots in the top right corner of your browser and selecting “More tools” > “Extensions” > “Keyboard shortcuts.”

Customize your homepage

By default, Chrome opens with a blank page or the Google search page. However, you can customize your homepage to show your favorite websites or a specific webpage.

To set a custom homepage, click on the three dots in the top right corner of your browser and select “Settings.” From there, scroll down to the “On startup” section and select “Open a specific page or set of pages.” Click on “Add a new page” and enter the URL of the page you want to set as your homepage.

Use the Omnibox

The Omnibox is the search bar at the top of your Chrome browser. It can also be used to enter URLs, search your bookmarks and history, and even perform calculations.

To perform a search in the Omnibox, simply type your search term and hit enter. To search your history or bookmarks, type “history” or “bookmarks” followed by your search term. To perform a calculation, simply type the equation in the Omnibox.

Manage your tabs

If you’re like most people, you probably have multiple tabs open at once. Chrome has several features that can help you manage your tabs, including:

Pinning tabs to keep them open and organized: To pin a tab, right-click on the tab and select “Pin.”
Using tab groups to group related tabs together: To use tab groups, right-click on a tab and select “Add to new group.”
Muting tabs that are playing audio: To mute a tab, click on the audio icon in the tab.

By using extensions, syncing your data, using keyboard shortcuts, customizing your homepage, using the Omnibox, and managing your tabs, you can improve your browsing experience and become more productive.

Try out these tips and see how they can make your Chrome experience even better.

It’s Time To Move On From Internet Explorer

October 1, 2020

Mark Funchion is a network technician at Tech Experts.

For those of us who have been online a long time, we remember the original browser war: Internet Explorer vs Netscape Navigator. In recent years, Internet Explorer has fallen off in security and usefulness. Meanwhile, Chrome, Firefox, and Edge (specifically Chromium-based Edge) have increased in usage and also do a much better job of updating frequently to mitigate security issues.

In 2019, Chris Jackson – who is a Principal Program Manager in the Experiences and Devices Group of Microsoft – wrote https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/windows-it-pro-blog/the-perils-of-using-internet-explorer-as-your-default-browser.

In the blog post, he writes that Internet Explorer is a compatibility solution. This means that IE exists now just in case it is needed, such as for a banking site that has not been updated to support modern browsers and does not function otherwise.

To further demonstrate that Microsoft does not want you to use IE, they are ending Internet Explorer’s support for MS Teams on November 30th 2020. Next year on August 17th 2021, MS will end IE support for Office 365, Outlook, and OneDrive, among other services.

In this time of remote working, ending support for their own remote collaboration software is a big deal, and to follow that up the following year with products so widely used like Office and Outlook shows that the end of IE is finally upon us.

There are a few challenges as some software (especially financial and medical fields) has been slow to change and still only work with Internet Explorer. Another issue is users who have been using a computer for a long time have grown accustomed to using Internet Explorer and do not want to change what they know.

Also, many users have accumulated a lot of favorites and passwords in Internet Explorer and do not want to give those up.

Many people with saved passwords may not know what some of their logins are because they have had their credentials saved for so long.

Fortunately, these issues can be handled by importing your information into another browser. To handle it manually would be a pain, but your information from Internet Explorer can all be easily transferred into the main modern browsers (Chrome, Firefox, and Edge). Aside from a few clicks from you confirming what you want transferred, it’s nearly automatic.

That aside, many browsers follow the same general design, making it easy to recognize icons and fields like your address bar or home page button. They are also customizable, much like adding toolbars on IE, so you can adjust a new one to your liking to match your old familiar layout.

What about those legacy web pages? All three modern browsers also have the ability to use a plugin to emulate Internet Explorer on specific pages. Or, if absolutely necessary, you can keep and use IE only as needed.

Another benefit to the three modern browsers is update frequency. Chrome will update within days, if not hours, of an issue being discovered. Firefox is also on a similar schedule.

Edge had three security updates in August of 2020, so it also updates more frequently than Internet Explorer ever did.

Change is hard, especially for some people when it comes to their computers and software. There was outrage when Microsoft Office introduced the ribbon bar and when Windows updated the start menu.

For some, the change was seamless; for others, it took some time. Either way, these have become the norm and most people are now comfortable with them.

The same is true of browsers. They are all used in generally the same way, and while using Chrome may be a little different in the long run, you are safer and your experience is more secure.

If the company who develops a product feels it is not useful for everyday use, it’s time to move on.