DIGITAL MARKETING FOR THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FIRM

Browser Security Extensions

---

Introduction

The Internet contains a lot of information, which is replenished daily, updated and will become a means of communication for millions of users. As the Internet evolves, so do technologies that can harm your computer, steal data or infect it with a virus. In this article, we will take a closer look at the main dangers that lie in wait on the Internet and conduct an overview of the software that can guarantee network security.

Why is unprotected surfing the Internet dangerous?

The main dangers of surfing the Internet can be divided into two large groups. The first is technical threats, and the second is fraudulent schemes.

Technical threats include:

· Malicious programs;

· Virus attacks;

· DoS attacks and DDoS attacks;

· Connecting a computer to a botnet;

· and others.

Various viruses, Trojans, and worms are referred to as malicious programs.

Important. The purpose of any malicious program is to damage the computer's performance, steal, erase or spoil data from it.

The most common distribution scheme for such programs is sending letters, files and links on the Internet. For an experienced user, installing and downloading unknown files should, as a rule, be avoided.

A virus program is a malicious program that has a high rate of self-replication. A virus can invisibly penetrate a computer's network drive and stay there for years, unless, of course, an antivirus removes it in time. As soon as you run it, the virus will instantly infect the computer, destroy files and inconvenience the user.

Worms are a type of viral program that are distinguished by the ability to "crawl" anywhere. A worm can be enter on a USB flash drive and, unnoticed by the user, “devour” valuable data on the local disk.

A Trojan is another type of virus program that often hides within a seemingly useful download on the internet. It differs from worms in that cybercriminals, as a rule, purposely use it to steal personal information.

Trojans often look like useful software, and the user, trusting it, downloads it to his computer, and the program, meanwhile, transfers data to its creators that you would not want it to become public.

Another way to "enslave" your computer is to make it a bot and connect it to a special network called a botnet. Hackers will be able to use administrator rights to control such a botnet - forcing infected computers to send thousands of spam emails or steal information. A botnet can grow exponentially and it does so using the power of the computers it infects.

A DoS attack aims to disrupt a server, temporarily or permanently. As a result of an artificially created reboot or server overload, there may be interference with video broadcasts, or a temporary unavailability of data. Damage or theft of data is out of the question here.

Such an attack can be carried out in two ways:

· Sending a large number of information packets to the attacked server, to cause a network reboot;

· Trigger an error message using a vulnerability in the software installed on the attacked computer;

A DDoS attack is essentially the same, only using a botnet.

However, fraudulent schemes mainly try to manipulate user behavior. For example, the notorious phishing solicits a person to send confidential information, for example, credit card information, to a scammer. This information is then used by an attacker to withdraw money from an ATM, leaving the user with nothing.

Another method of attack is various banners that ask you to install an antivirus or update your browser, imitating system messages.

All of these attacks can be carried out on a stand-alone computer, server, or an entire network.

What can you do to keep your network safe?

In order to secure your computer, you first need to know about what may lie in wait on the network if you are not a vigilant enough user.

First, keep your software up to date. Download only from the official websites of the developers. For convenience, set up automatic updates.

Second, remove or disable those browser add-ons that you are not using. For example, through vulnerabilities in the password manager, this data can be stolen from you. All sorts of key loggers can work through add-ons, tracking the combinations that you type to fill out various kinds of forms.

Third, set up two-factor authentication wherever you can. Even if an attacker takes possession of information about your login, mail or phone number, but does not have the code from the SMS message, he will not be able to log into your account.

Fourth, predominantly use sites and applications that use end-to-end encryption. The addresses of such sites start with https. Such encryption is used, for example, by Telegram and WhatsApp messengers.

Fifth, be careful with public Wi-Fi hotspots, and do not transfer any important data over such a connection. Better yet, install a VPN program that encrypts all traffic between it and your computer.

Sixth, be sure to use antivirus software on your computer, tablet or smartphone.

Seventh, before installing or simply opening a file for viewing, check all files downloaded from the Internet with an antivirus.

Eighth, check out the softwares that will be discussed below, download them to your computer and use them to secure your data and make surfing the Internet problem-free.

Ad blockers

Blocker software protects your privacy and helps you block annoying ads. Quite often, they contain an anti-tracking module so that you can use the Internet anonymously.

Adblock plus

This is one of the most popular ad blockers on the Internet. It works in all browsers and applications. It recently appeared on Android and iOS.

Adblock plus has a special blocking browser that can be found and downloaded on the developer's website.

You can configure the program to block all ads or only selected ones.

Ublock origin

Ublock origin is a modern and fast-growing ad blocker.

Important. Compared to its famous competitors, it consumes less memory and uses less CPU.

Ublock origin is pretty easy to set up and has all the anti-malware filters that Adblock Plus has.

Scriptsafe

This automatically stops JavaScript scripts because they are often used by attackers. However, the plugin can specify allowed sites where these scripts can be run.

It is installed as a program or extension in the browser.

Among the shortcomings of this program, many users point out that it tends to distort sites, which can cause inconvenience when surfing the Internet.

You can install this by following the link: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/oiigbmnaadbkfbmpbfijlflahbdbdgdf?hl=ru.

Anti-tracking tools

Such programs and applications are able to block the tools of sites that track you, and stop the collection of your data by Google, Facebook, Twitter and others.

Ghostery

This is free privacy management software for Firefox, Chrome, Internet Explorer, Opera and Safari browsers.

Ghostery is flexible enough that it shows you exactly what it has blocked and offers you scenarios for what to do next with this blocked content.

Created by Ghostery Inc. the software claims to be, among other things, a confidential ad blocker.

Disconnect Private Browsing

Disconnect Private Browsing is designed to prevent tracking, malware and adware. It works in Firefox, Chrome, Internet Explorer and Safari.

Important. Other things being equal, Disconnect has an important feature called Secure Wi-Fi that will help protect your home network. Not all anti-trackers have such a function.

Privacy Badger

This is a free extension for browsers Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Opera, and Firefox on Android with similar functionality to the previous ones. It protects your browser from trackers that load invisibly when you browse the web.

It has an intuitive interface with auto-blocking options in the browser panel.

Password managers

Password managers are a specialized type of software for storing confidential user data.

Lastpass

A very popular extension for storing user passwords, which, like many password managers, has a built-in strong password generator.

Available for download at the link: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/hdokiejnpimakedhajhdlcegeplioahd?hl=ru.

CKP

This is an alternative to the Lastpass password manager. It can pick up passwords from your local drive, Dropbox, or Google Drive.

You can install the application for Google Chrome here: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/lnfepbjehgokldcaljagbmchhnaaogpc?hl=ru.

Blur

The application can generate complex passwords, and mask email addresses to prevent spam. The extension is available at the link: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/epanfjkfahimkgomnigadpkobaefekcd?hl=ru.

VPN extensions

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a technology that allows one or more network connections to be provided over another network, thus creating a secure system via which a VPN user can visit any site anonymously.

Hideman

This is a VPN browser app with 256-bit encryption, which, in addition to anonymity, can be used to combat site censorship.

You can download Hideman Google Chrome here: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/dbdbnchagbkhknegmhgikkleoogjcfge?hl=en.

Zenmate VPN

This extension for most modern browsers provides for private and anonymous browsing, and helps to bypass blocking.

The developer offers both free and paid versions of the software. You can download it, and find out more about the functionality and cost on its website https://zenmate.com/ru/academia/chto-takoe-vpn.

Tunnelbear

This VPN is quite popular now. With its help, you can not only bypass locks, but also protect your data from leakage.

You can install it for Google Chrome by following the link: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/omdakjcmkglenbhjadbccaookpfjihpa?hl=ru.

Virus protection

This is another application that is crucial to safely browsing the Internet.

Avast Online Security

This is a popular free extension from Avast for most modern browsers. Its functions include protection against phishing and automatic correction of errors in the URL. Avast Online Security will warn you against navigating to infected or compromised sites.

Free download from the developer's website: https://www.avast.com/.

Online antivirus Dr. Web

This application from the developer Dr. Web checks web pages and links.

Important. Before opening an unknown site, you can contact Dr. Web and make sure that site is not infected.

You can open it on the developer's website here: https://vms.drweb.ru/online.

Additional plugins

And finally, a few more applications that serve to protect data on the Internet.

Https everywhere

An extension for Chrome that ensures safe Internet surfing. Its name speaks for itself - wherever possible, it forcibly switches from insecure http protocol to encrypted https.

You can download it here: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/gcbommkclmclpchllfjekcdonpmejbdp?hl=ru.

Web Of Trust

Web Of Trust assigns a red tag to those sites that have been caught in compromising actions. If you visit one of these sites, the application will notify you about it. The extension is constantly updated and makes up a kind of trust rating of sites.

Download for Google Chrome here: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/bhmmomiinigofkjcapegjjndpbikblnp?hl=en.

Securemail for Gmail

A Chrome extension for Gmail that lets you send password-encrypted emails. No one will know the password except you and the recipient.

Important. Encryption occurs on the client side, so no one, not even the development of the extension, will have access to encrypted messages.

You can install the extension by following the link: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/ankeemighdeapndelnjcjccegnibdknm?hl=ru.

Mailvelope

An extension similar to Secure for Gmail, with which you can protect email correspondence. The difference is that Mailvelope encrypts not only Gmail but other email clients such as Yahoo, Outlook, Posteo and others.

The extension provides secure email using the OpenPGP standard.

Download for Google Chrome by following the link: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/kajibbejlbohfaggdiogboambcijhkke?hl=ru.

Conclusion

There are many types of cyber-attacks, but there are also a sufficient number of methods for your protection. When working on the Internet, it is recommended that you use them, using software specifically designed to protect your data. Also, update your software regularly to prevent vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers on the network.

Based on materials from the site https://hidemy.io/