Triona's Tech Tips

Did you know you can expand your web browser’s functionality? Extensions (also called add-ons or plug-ins) are little programs that run within Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, and other web browsers. While extensions offer increased options, they also pose security risks.

Some extensions are probably familiar to you. One of the most popular, Flash, lets you see video content on the Web. Flash also illustrates the risks of extensions. Viruses can enter your computer through malicious Flash content, especially if you’re running an older version of the extension. Most people don’t realize that browser extensions, like all software, need to be updated.

To solve that problem, several months ago Mozilla introduced a check for Firefox to help users find and update their extensions. Mozilla is now offering this free service for other browsers. To maximize your computer security, become familiar with the extensions you’re running. The easiest way to do that is to visit Mozilla’s extensions check page, but you can also find them under Tools>Manage Add-Ons (Internet Explorer), Tools>Add-Ons (Firefox), and Help>Installed Plug-Ins (Safari).

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Starting in 2010, I’m writing a monthly technology column for The Northwest Herald. In January’s column, Old Software Poses Risk Of Viruses, I talk about how outdated versions of your software can open the floodgates. Here are some previous Tech Tips articles on how you can protect yourself:

• Old Versions Of Internet Explorer Vulnerable To Viruses
• Fall In Love With Secunia Personal Software Inspector
• Mozilla Firefox Expands Check For Unsafe Plug-Ins
• No Click Required: Malware Via Infected Ads

Below you’ll find links to related resources including those mentioned in the column.

• Adobe Acrobat Reader updates
• Flash updates
• Mozilla Firefox plug-in check
• Microsoft Update for Windows, Office, Internet Explorer
• Apple Software Updates for Mac OS, iTunes, Safari, iPhone and iPod
• Secunia Online Software Inspector for Windows

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If you are using an old version of Internet Explorer, your PC is more vulnerable to viruses and spyware.

The current version of Internet Explorer (IE) is version 8, but I routinely encounter computers running version 7 or–heaven help us–version 6. Upgrading isn’t a matter of wanting all the bells and whistles. It’s a security necessity.

The longer a piece of software is publicly available, the easier it is for hackers to design viruses or spyware to exploit its weaknesses. Also, newer software benefits from advances in security research. By running the most current version, you boost your protections.

I advocate that you break the Internet Explorer habit by using an alternate web browser like Firefox. But you still need to keep up to date on your Internet Explorer patches. Because IE is a component of Windows, you are vulnerable even if you don’t use it. One rare reason you might not want to upgrade to IE8 is if you have software that isn’t compatible. Unless this applies to you, you should consider the upgrade.

You can check your version of Internet Explorer within the program by selecting About Internet Explorer from the Help menu. To upgrade, visit update.microsoft.com or click here to go directly to the download. After you’ve installed, be sure to visit update.microsoft.com again to seek out the most recent security fixes for IE8. This will provide you maximum protection.

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The federal government predicts that online retail sales will reach over $235 billion this year. Here’s how you can shop safely online this holiday season.

• Before you shop, make sure you have adequate computer security protections, and that they are up to date. Where possible, consider using a browser other than Internet Explorer (like Firefox, Safari or Opera). If you must use Internet Explorer, be sure to use the latest version, and check update.microsoft.com for Windows and Microsoft Office security fixes.
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• You should also be sure that other programs like Flash and Adobe Acrobat Reader are up to date (here’s why). Secunia Online Software Inspector provides a quick way to do this for Windows users. Mac users should check Software Updates under the Apple menu, and visit web sites like adobe.com for common software to check for new versions.
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• Never shop from a public network or WiFi hotspot. Only do your shopping from a secure Internet connection, such as the one at your home or office.
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• See if your bank offers a virtual or one-time credit card number that you can use for online shopping. Or, get a credit card with a minimal limit (like $500) that you use exclusively for online purchases. Don’t use a debit card online, because it’s easier to get fraudulent charges removed from a credit card.
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• Shop with known retailers. If you’re thinking about doing business with a site you’ve never used before, do some Web searches for reviews to assess other customers’ satisfaction.
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• Never click an email link to reach the site. Such emails are often phishing scams trying to lure you into visiting malicious web sites. It’s safer to type the store’s Web site directly into your browser.
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• Only shop at sites that offer secure checkout. Look for the “https” (instead of “http”) in the address bar of your browser, but be warned that even secure sites can be compromised.
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• Beware of bad web links that may lead you to malicious ads.
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• Keep an eye on your credit card statements for erroneous charges or theft.
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• To avoid spam, create a separate email address for online purchases.
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• Print your receipts, either to paper or electronically to a PDF file. PC users will need a PDF program like FoxIt to do this. Mac users can simply select Print To PDF from the Print window.
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• As with anything else online, if a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is.

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Have you ever gone to install a program, only to be offered some completely unrelated software via a tiny, unremarkable checkbox? This is called pre-checked software, and I think it stinks.

Pre-checked software differs from malware or PUPs (potentially unwanted programs) in that you are given a choice, albeit an unobtrusive one. It’s a marketing gimmick, and it often backfires. Apple got its rump handed to it for pre-checking their Safari web browser during the Windows install of iTunes. Most Windows users didn’t know Safari from sassafras and didn’t want it on their computers. Apple had to backtrack and make sure the Safari offer was unchecked by default.

Some pre-checks are actually good for you. If your antivirus software asks if you want a special security toolbar to go with it, you might like that. But if I go to install a program–Java, for example–I don’t want a trial copy of Carbonite backup software alongside it. Maybe I don’t have a lot of hard drive space, or maybe I just like keeping my computer tidy. We have enough problems with viruses, malware and fake antivirus software without having to deal with programs that invite themselves along like unwanted guests at Thanksgiving dinner.

So next time you’re installing a program, watch out for that pre-checked box. You’re not obligated to install anything you don’t want to.

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Mozilla Firefox has upped the ante in the fight against cybercrime with automatic checks for updated plug-ins.

Plug-ins are bits of software that work within your Web browser to provide additional functionality. Mozilla debuted this feature with a check for updated versions of Flash, a popular plug-in used to view video content. Outdated versions of programs like Flash are used to spread viruses and malware.

Firefox will run the check automatically, or you can visit this site to check your plug-ins manually. You still have to update them yourself, but Mozilla’s new feature provides a more intuitive way to do so. You can also view your plug-ins and get more information about enabling and disabling them. The check works for both the Windows and Mac versions of Firefox. It’s such a good idea I suspect we’ll see this sort of functionality added soon for Internet Explorer and Safari, the default browsers for Windows and Mac, as well as other browsers like Opera.

Mozilla says it will continue to expand this feature to include additional plug-ins, which is great news for users struggling to keep their computers free of malware and other threats.

If an alternate web browser is safer than Internet Explorer, which one should you use?

The most popular is Mozilla Firefox, available for both PC and Mac. I use it on both platforms. Another option for PC and Mac is Opera, which tends to do better with IE-insistent sites. Windows users might want to explore Google Chrome (a version for Mac is in development). And Mac users can rely on Apple’s default browser, Safari. Be sure to set the alternate browser as the default when asked. For more information on alternate browsers, please visit the Alternate Browser Alliance.

You can also install plug-ins to enhance your browser’s capabilities. I’m fond of McAfee SiteAdvisor for security. You can find Firefox plug-ins on Mozilla’s site.

Next month we’ll talk about How To Organize Your Email. If you have any computer questions click Comments below this article, and don’t forget to subscribe to the email version of Tech Tips for bonus tips and product reviews.