Don’t Fall for These 3 Browser Security Myths

The world of network security is vast and complicated, even without all of the misinformation out there about how to keep your business safe and your accounts secure. One particular facet of network security misinformation comes in the form of web browsers, or rather, myths that people think about how they are used which could leave them vulnerable to hacking attacks.

We’re here today to address three of the most common myths about browser security that we think you’ll be interested to know.

MYTH: HTTPS Means a Website is Secure

The “s” in HTTPS might be reminiscent of security with its padlock icon in the browser URL bar, but just because a site features HTTPS, doesn’t mean that it’s safe to browse. The only thing that HTTPS tells the user is that there is a guaranteed secure transmission of data; there is no guarantee that the owner of the website is authentic, legitimate, and trustworthy. What the website owner does with their domain and their security certificate is up to them, so be sure to verify the legitimacy of any website that you browse before committing too deeply to it—especially if that website is asking you for sensitive information.

MYTH: Incognito Mode Makes Your Browsing Activity Private

Perhaps the moniker of “incognito mode” is a bit misleading, but you wouldn’t believe how many people think that using it will guarantee total anonymity and privacy. This is certainly not the case. Incognito modes do temporarily turn off the storage of certain data, like search history, cookies, and form data, but it should be noted that this is only on the device currently in use. What’s worse is that your Internet Service provider, or ISP, will have access to your browsing activities and Internet usage, as well as any other threats that are on your device already. The same goes for your workplace. Binge-watching Ted Lasso at work will still get tracked by your workplace’s network tools even if you do it while in incognito.

MYTH: Malware Only Comes from Downloaded Files

People are under the impression that they can just avoid file downloads on the Internet to avoid malware, but there are other avenues that malware can strike from that have nothing to do with file downloads. They can strike from browser extensions, for example, or they can strike from ads, targeting vulnerabilities in your operating system, browser version, or otherwise. We recommend that you have a comprehensive security system in place that allows you to keep ads from rendering as often as possible, as they can be not only disruptive but also dangerous. Additionally, browser extensions should be scrutinized whenever possible, as it’s remarkably easy for a hacker to put a compromised version of a browser extension up for use on the Internet.

Take Security Seriously with BNMC

You don’t want to compromise on your network security. That’s where BNMC comes in; we can offer comprehensive and affordable managed security solutions that will keep your business safe from all manner of threats. To learn more, call us today at (978) 482-2020.