Web Browsers
Microsoft's Internet Explorer is the most predominant web browser, and as such, it is often targeted by malware and spyware writers. It is an extremely powerful application due to it's ability to run ActiveX Components and Browser Helper Objects (such as the Google Toolbar). ActiveX is a technology that allows programmers to embed applications into a website to add functionality, such as audio & video, interactive demos, etc.
The problem is that ActiveX and Browser Helper Objects can be used for both good and evil. An unsuspecting web-surfer using Internet Explorer could choose to download and install a component that might cause the computer to act strangely, such as opening pop-up advertisements, re-directing them to unwanted sites and generally slowing down performance.
You may have recently heard about a new browser called Firefox. Firefox may offer improved security, as it is not integrated with the operating system and does not support ActiveX controls and VBScripts (which are features known to have security holes). However, as the popularity of Firefox increases, you can be sure that nefarious programmers will start to target Firefox users as well.
Using Firefox may offer an additional layer of security (I like to call it "security by obscurity") due to it's relatively low usage stats compared to Internet Explorer, as well as the fact that it cannot be exploited in the same way that Internet Explorer can (with ActiveX and Browser Helper Objects), however, you should always remain vigilant when surfing the internet:
- keep your operating system up-to-date
- use up-to-date antivirus software
- use a firewall
- run anti-spyware software
- use common sense
Here are links to download some of the more popular web browsers: