Mozilla And Google Boosts Anti-Tracking And Security

July 31, 2019

Jason Cooley is Support Services Manager for Tech Experts.

Internet security changes all the time and so does the variety of issues. We have to be sure to run anti-virus, watch out for infections and phishing, and regularly change our passwords just to start the process of being safe on the Internet.

There are people that spend time to create these viruses and other hidden or unwanted system modifications.

While their motivation may not be known (usually money), one of the hazards of using the Internet is dealing with the headaches these things can cause.

On top of regular infections, there are many data gathering processes that can run in the background of your system.

These can be gathering data to send to someone attempting to steal your information. There are also websites that gather data when you visit, login, or create an account.

While there are instances where gathering data is used maliciously as I mentioned, it is also something legitimate sites can be guilty of. In 2019, you may have heard of sites like Google and Facebook gathering information, but what and how much are they gathering? What can you do about it?

Earlier this year, the International Computer Science Institute investigated Google and the Applications linked with its Playstore.

Applications downloaded from Google and the Playstore can gather data, and that can be used to create your Advertising ID. This ID is unique, but is and can be reset.

Many applications were also linking that Advertising ID with the hardware IDs of a device, such as the MAC address. This is forbidden as it allows the data to be permanently stored, even when you erase your history and erase the application data. Google is addressing the issue and already forcing some applications to change its data gathering process.

Google is also stepping up security for mobile devices in another way. Users that are familiar with Chrome and its password storing may know the browser version of Google can suggest a strong password.

This is now coming to mobile devices as well, which will sync security across all devices, prompting you to use a strong and unique password when it is determined your password is weak or frequently used.

Facebook may be the king of data harvesting. I am sure many of you have searched for something on the Internet, then noticed ads on Facebook showing that item. This is part of targeted advertising done by Facebook.

Facebook has the ability to follow you around the web, checking your browser habits and collecting user data anytime you are on a site with a Like or comment section from Facebook attached.

Mozilla Firefox introduced the Facebook Container extension for its browser last year, which keeps Facebook isolated.

While it has been out for awhile, 2.0 was just released, which blocks those sites with the Facebook links from gathering information.

Firefox is stepping up the anti-tracking to another level as well. The browser debuted its new “Enhanced Tracking Protection.” Mozilla teamed up with Disconnect, an open source anti-tracking program to create this new protection that blocks over 1,000 third party websites from gathering data while you browse the Internet.

This feature is enabled by default once the browser is updated to its newest version.

Some may not worry about their privacy online, but for those who do, it’s time to update.

Filed Under: Facebook, Firefox, Google Chrome, Online Privacy, Online Security Tagged With: , , , , ,

Browser Battle: Why Chrome Continues To Take Over

October 11, 2018

Jason Cooley is Support Services Manager for Tech Experts.

Every day I see different browsers on different computers. There’s Chrome, Internet Explorer, Firefox, Vivaldi, Opera, and Apple’s Safari browser. Some people like to stick with what they know, and they use Internet Explorer or even Microsoft Edge on Windows 10.

There are those people that really love Mozilla’s Firefox browser and are loyal and comfortable using that. Apple users tend to stick with Safari, like how Windows users use Internet Explorer and Edge, because it’s the default they’ve used for years.

I made the switch to Google Chrome for good about 5 or 6 years ago, and I continue to use it as my browser of choice.

There are preference issues and everyone likes what they like, but there is definitely more to why I use Google Chrome over the other browsers. There are even reasons why I think you should probably use Chrome too.

Let’s start by acknowledging that there are certain websites that only have full functionality in a certain browser and that’s OK. Maybe you need to use Internet Explorer for something. Use what you need to for certain tasks. When you have a choice, use Chrome.

Chrome is celebrating its 10th birthday with a nice updated look, but that’s just the surface. It continues to add features that not only improve your user experience, but also help make things a little more secure.

Chrome now will auto-generate and suggest strong passwords for new accounts created, keeping them unique and therefore significantly more secure.

Google also made sure that the mobile integration for Chrome is second to none. Just make sure you are signed in on your computer and your phone to keep all of your bookmarks and browsing synced.

While a browser like Firefox may meet some of the standards set by Google, there are areas other browsers just can’t stack up.

Mozilla has updated and launched a new and improved mobile app. It is now faster than it was ever before. Want to sync your data between your phone and computer browser with Mozilla? Sure, just create a completely separate account, link them, and hope for the best. Mozilla’s ability to share bookmarks is fair, but it can’t keep the settings streamlined.

These are the areas that Google Chrome excels in, making your browsing experience seamless.

The password manager will also make using your account on multiple devices much easier, as you can use the manager to store passwords and use them on any device you are signed in to.

If you own an Android phone or use the Google Play store but don’t use Chrome, you are missing out on great app integration.

Another reason Chrome pulls ahead in the battle is because of its amazing app library and easy integration and updates. Other browsers can’t begin to offer the things that Google does.

If you need more reason, consider that most of the major browsers use Google’s safe browsing programming to detect potentially dangerous sites.

Consider that these companies are using someone else’s programming to keep you safe… and that programming is from the clear leader in the browser battle: Google Chrome.

Filed Under: Firefox, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Online Security, Password Security Tagged With: , , , ,

Improve Your Web Browsing Experience With Add-ons!

July 29, 2011

There are multiple Internet browser add-ons that can make your web browsing experience more productive and more enjoyable.

Add-ons are programs that are installed into your browser application, which provides additional functionality.

The first Internet browser to introduce is Internet Explorer (IE). IE is one of the most popular web browsers available because it’s native to all Windows Operating Systems.

IE has been negatively criticized by many users and technical websites for security issues, but with careful web browsing and the right add-ons Internet Explorer will get the job done.

In the business world there are many websites that requires the use of Internet Explorer.

This limits us from the functionality that we are used to in other Internet browsers like Firefox and Google Chrome.

For example, in Firefox and Google Chrome if you accidently close one of your Internet browsing tabs you can recover it by going to the History option and clicking on recently closed tabs or a key combination of Ctrl+Shift+T. IE doesn’t offer this option.

Until Microsoft updates IE, the recommended add-on is called Open Last Closed tab. It is a free download from www.download.com. Search “Open Last Closed Tab” download and install and you will be satisfied that your Internet tabs are safe from getting closed accidently.

Since it is the most popular browser, Internet Explorer has had more issues with security than most others. It’s the most popular, therefore, hackers will get the most “bang for their buck” by attacking IE.

The best way to prevent browser security issues to install the add-ons/toolbars that comes free with the antivirus of your choice.

Phishing is the most common problem. What happens is if you misspell a website or click on a link from an email it will take you to a website that looks similar to the one you are used to.

So when you enter your username and password it actually steals your login information.

A good Choice is Norton’s Internet Securities toolbar; all of them will protect you from phishing. However, Norton verifies many popular banking and shopping sites.

One of the best things about Norton is if you see the Antivirus Norton Toolbar display a shield, you know you’re dealing with a site that’s been authenticated by Norton as safe and legitimate.

Phishing is the fraudulent practice of sending e-mails that look like they’re from legitimate companies to try to get you to reveal personal information, such as credit-card numbers or online banking passwords.

Another very useful browser add-on is Last Pass. Last Pass is an application and add-on that stores all of your saved passwords, login information, and important notes.

For example, if you are in the automotive industry. You will have a number of parts ordering applications and websites to that require passwords.

Last Pass will securely store all of this information and this will also speed up the process when logging in to your software or websites. You can purchase last pass from www.lastpass.com.

Try out a few for yourself. For Internet Explorer add-ons visit http://www.ieaddons.com/en/.

For Google Chrome add-ons visit https://chrome.google.com/webstore.

And for Firefox add-ons visit https://addons.mozilla.org. There are several thousand add-ons available to choose from.

Filed Under: Firefox, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer Tagged With: , , , ,

Is It Time To Explore Alternatives To Internet Explorer?

August 30, 2010

Internet Explorer, for most part is incorporated in our everyday lives, in one way or another.

Internet Explorer is a very solid web browser, but you may be tired of it and want to try something new or different out.

Some people say that they are frustrated with the constant updates, script errors, and the warnings over and over again. The frustration can end today!

Here is a brief overview of the three most common web browsers that are used other than Internet Explorer. All three work on most Windows based Operating Systems and are all free to download and use.

Google Chrome
This is Google’s gateway into the realm of Internet browsers. Chrome is a stripped-down web browser that is designed to run “lean and mean.” If you are using a slower computer or maybe you are concerned about resource usage on your system then this is the browser meant for you.

The layout of this browser is a little different than what most people are used to, it is sort of plain looking, but gets straight to the point.

I highly recommend giving this one a try for a few days and see if you like it or not. Download is available at google.com/chrome.

Firefox
Mozilla Firefox is currently the second most widely-used web browser in the world. Firefox programmers routinely fix security issues as well as develop many useful plug ins to enhance the entire operation and your web browsing experience.

I do not recommend downloading every plug in, but there are many that you will find useful. Download is available at Mozilla.com

Opera
The least known web browser of them all is Opera, made by Opera Software. Opera works on all Operating Systems.

It is one of the fastest browsers now available and it also has the added advantage of being optimized for use on mobile devices. It is also specially designed for users who have visual or motor impairments.

Opera has received tons of positive reviews and is winning industry awards for usability. Download is available at opera.com.

All of these web browsers have their strengths and weaknesses, but you don’t have to settle for the browser that came with your system.

If you’re not happy with Internet Explorer, then I would give all three of these a try. They’re all quick to install and use.

If you have trouble installing or using any of these web browsers give the Tech Experts support team a call at (734)-457-5000. Or, you can just bring your system in to us and we’ll work with you to get everything set up properly.

Filed Under: Firefox, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Opera Tagged With: , , , ,

R.I.P. AOL Finally Kills Netscape Navigator

January 10, 2008

AOL LLC has finally pulled the plug on Netscape Navigator, the Web browser that once owned the lion’s share of the market and that was the focus of a landmark federal antitrust case against Microsoft Corp.

In an announcement posted to AOL’s website, the company said it ending development and would cease issuing security updates as of Feb. 1, 2008.

AOL said all support would end in just over a month and urged current Netscape users to migrate to Mozilla’s Firefox.

Filed Under: Internet Tagged With: , ,

Researcher: Don’t Trust Google Toolbar

June 26, 2007

Makers of some of the most popular extension software used by the Firefox browser are not doing enough to secure their software, a security researcher said Wednesday. The problem is that many widely used Firefox extensions, including toolbars from Google, Yahoo, and AOL, do not use secure connections to update themselves, according to Christopher Soghoian, a security researcher.

The Indiana University doctoral student discovered the Firefox issue last month while examining network traffic on his computer. He noticed that many of the most popular Firefox extensions are not hosted on servers that use the very secure SSL Web protocol.

Although the corporation behind Firefox, Mozilla, hosts the majority of Firefox extensions on its own SSL-enabled Web site, it is common for commercial extension-makers such as Google to host their software on an unsecured site, Soghoian said in an interview.

This leaves users vulnerable to a “man-in-the middle” attack, where Firefox could be tricked into downloading malicious software from a site it mistakenly thought was hosting an extension.

It wouldn’t be easy for an attacker to pull this off, however. In one scenario, the hacker would set up a malicious wireless access point in a public area where people are using wireless connections. He could then redirect extension update traffic to a malicious computer. “An attacker who sets up a wireless access point can then infect anyone who connects to it,” Soghoian said.

Filed Under: Security Tagged With: , , , , ,