Browser security is one of the most important security measures you can implement in your private and business life.
An effective browser security strategy involves keeping browsers up to date, being careful about which cookies you allow, being mindful of session tokens and only browsing trusted websites.
In this article, I discuss why browser security is important and which security practices you can implement into your day-to-day browsing experience to keep your organization safe from attacks.
Why is Browser Security Important?
Browser security is the practice of fortifying your browsing experience in a way that makes it less likely for you to fall victim to attacks that occur through an internet browser.
This protects you from several threats, including:
- Data loss – Hackers use browser attacks to steal information like your name, email address, credit and debit card information, phone numbers, and passwords
- Account takeovers – Attackers don’t always gain access to your passwords in attacks, but they can take over your accounts if they’re able to successfully hijack your browser’s cookies
- Keylogging – Certain attacks can execute a keylogger on your device, which logs every keystroke you make with your keyboard
- Downtime – You’ll need to spend time securing your account, devices and information if a hacker gains access to them. You may even need to set up new devices
- Financial loss – Attacks can be quite costly. First, if an attacker gains access to your financial information, they can drain your accounts before you’re able to freeze them. Second, you’ll likely need to hire an IT expert to help secure your devices and recover data. Third, you might lose sales if the attack results in loss of trust among your customer base
Implementing browser security measures can help protect you from these kinds of threats. But how do hackers initiate attacks through browsers?
There are a few different types of browser attacks hackers use:
- Session hijacking
- Phishing attempts
- Compromised extensions
- Malware
- Cross-site scripting
- Man-in-the-middle attacks
Related: Essential Security Practices for Remote Workers
Session Hijacking
This type of attack commonly occurs through an executable file that disguises itself as another file type, including text files and PDF files.
Also known as “cookie hijacking,” this attack hijacks session tokens in your browser, giving the attacker access to any account you’re logged into since logins are saved as unique session identifiers in your browser (usually cookies).
This gives an attacker access to your account without needing to log in with a username, password or multifactor authentication.
Other methods of attack include intercepting traffic from an unsecured public WiFi connection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and intercepting a connection between your browser and an application’s web server.
Related: Unexpected Ways Hackers Can Access Your Accounts
Phishing Attacks
Phishing attacks are nothing new, so there’s a good chance you’re already familiar with them.
A phishing attack is a security threat that disguises itself as a real message, such as an email that contains a link that executes malware when you click on it.
You might also experience phishing attempts that link to what appears to be a legitimate login page for a site you regularly visit but is actually a form that’s designed to steal your login credentials.
Compromised Extensions
Unfortunately, browser extensions can be a source of attack. Compromised browser extensions allow hackers to execute malicious code in your browser or on your device.
Some browser extensions are malicious by nature. They disguise themselves as real extensions but are actually clever ways for hackers to gain access to your information.
Other attacks that occur through extensions occur when legitimate browser extensions get hacked, which can happen through sophisticated attacks or when developers don’t implement security patches quick enough.
Malware
Malware is one of the most common threats linked to internet browsers. While trustworthy sites and applications can become compromised, most malware is delivered through the browser due to user error.
Malware comes in many different forms. How it impacts your device is dependent on the attacker’s goal.
Common uses include session hijacking, data theft, ransomware, adware and spyware.
Related: How to Spot Hidden Malware On Your Device
Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
Cross-site scripting (XSS) is malicious code that gets injected into legitimate websites. Because your browser recognizes the website as a trusted source, it executes the script as it normally would.
This makes your browser susceptible to session hijacking, allowing the attacker to access any unique session ID that’s stored in your browser.
Man-in-the-Middle Attacks
Man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks can happen when an attacker steals information that gets transferred between two networks, such as your device and a public WiFi network or your browser and a web application server.
The interception allows attackers to steal data, financial details and login credentials.
8 Ways to Secure a Web Browser
1. Use a Trusted Web Browser
The simplest way to implement better browser security is by using a browser that’s trusted by its user base and is known for implementing security patches regularly and quickly.
Browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Safari and Edge are common examples. They have the advantage of being backed by larger corporations, giving them access to a larger development team who can detect and predict security issues and implement patches swiftly.
Businesses can use enterprise browsers, such as Chrome Enterprise, Island and Microsoft Edge for Business.
Related: Top Encryption Software Solutions to Safeguard Your Data
2. Install Browser Updates as Soon as Possible
Browser updates, however small, often contain security patches that fix existing security issues while also fortifying the browser’s code for new potential security threats.
It’s recommended that you install browser updates as soon as they’re available whenever you can.
Fortunately, most browsers these days are able to reopen your tabs after they finish installing updates. Plus, updates install in less than a minute these days more often than not.
3. Only Install Trusted Browser Extensions
Any browser extension can become compromised, but some are more susceptible to hacks than others. Plus, some extensions are deliberately malicious.
Follow these tips to decrease your likelihood of installing a malicious browser extension:
- Only install extensions from trusted sources, such as the Chrome Web Store or Firefox’s collection of add-ons
- Only install extensions that have been updated within the last year
- Only install extensions that have a decent review score. Be sure to check recent reviews. Older extensions sometimes have a high review score because of past reviews, not current reviews
- Avoid installing extensions from third-party sources, such as directly from a developer’s website
- Review your extension library at least once a year, though the more you do this, the better. Check that each extension is still being supported by its developer and that recent reviews aren’t citing security issues
- Keep the number of extensions you have installed to a minimum. If you only need an extension every now and then, uninstall it when you finish using it, and install it when you need it again
4. Disable “Hide Known File Types” in Windows
If files on your Windows device only have their names and not their file type extensions, your device is hiding known file types.
For example, if you have a PNG image named “site banner,” and the file only says “site banner” instead of “site banner.png,” your device is hiding known file types.
The reason this is an issue is because some malware can’t operate and hijack session cookies until you execute it on your computer. Hackers trick users into executing malware by disguising it as a legitimate file.
A text file you download might have a name like “readme” as well as the usual icon your device uses for text files, but it might actually be an executable for malware that gets to work on your system as soon as you open the file.
If you choose to show known file types, that file would say “readme.exe” instead, letting you know it’s not a text file.
Follow these steps to disable this setting in Windows:
- Open the Start menu.
- Search for “folder options,” and open the File Explorer Options tool that shows up.
- Open the View tab.
- Look for the “Hide extensions for known file types” option. Make sure it’s not checked.
- Click Apply if you had to make changes to this section, then click OK.
5. Only Download Files from Trusted Sources
Similar to installing browser extensions, you should do your best to only download files from trusted sources.
Review any site you want to download a file from. Browse internet forums to see if it’s a trusted source.
Install antivirus on your device that can scan individual files for potential threats.
6. Only Browse Trusted Websites
Some sites are more susceptible to hacks than others. Try to keep your browsing habits as clean as possible to avoid falling victim to attacks, especially on work devices.
Use adblockers to block malicious ads from websites you thought was a trusted source.
7. Use Cookies Responsibly
Cookie popups are the new norm. Ever since the GDPR came into law, almost every website in the world has a little popup asking you to allow or deny the installation of cookies in your browser.
Because some of these cookies collect key data from your device, it’s best that you only accept necessary cookies. These are cookies you need in order to make the website functional.
Also, clear your internet history on a regular basis to delete cookies. This makes hijacked cookies invalid.
8. Recommended Browser Security Settings
- Block third-party cookies
- Block popups
- Disable tracking from your browser’s privacy settings
- Disable saved passwords
- Disable preloading
- Disable site permissions you don’t need, such as access to your camera and microphone
- Enable enhanced protection mode
