Safest Browsing Tactics (Page 2 of 4)

The safest browsing tactic is to turn off web 2.0 features ("scripting") and image animation. This won't make your browsing 100% safe, but it will eliminate a lot of things a troll or hacker could do to attack you through your browser.

This the most restrictive tactic, but it's the strongest method of protection. By turning off image animation and JavaScript, you will lose a lot of functionality in complex websites, including "web 2.0" webapps. But, what's more important to you: getting your Gmail, or not going to the hospital every time you get trolled?

Turn off image animation and scripting on Internet Explorer

1. In Internet Explorer, go to the Tools menu and choose Internet Options. When the Internet Options window appears, click the Security tab. In the Security tab, click the Custom level... button on the lower half of the window.
2. The Security Settings window will appear with a scrolling list of options. Scroll this list down to the 6th from the last set of options marked "Active scripting" and change its option to "Prompt."
3. Click OK to close the Security Settings window. When prompted "Are You Sure?" click Yes. Back at the Internet Options window, click the Advanced tab.
4. The Advanced tab will show a scrolling list of options. Scroll half way down the options list to the "Play animations in webapges" options and turn it off.
5. Click OK to close the Internet Options window, then close and re-open Internet Explorer.

This has the annoying side effect that IE will ask you to "run scripts" every time a page appears that needs to do some special web 2.0 stuff. If this gets too annoying, repeat these steps above but choose "Disable" instead of "Prompt" in step 2.

If you have a site that requires web 2.0 ("scripting") in order to work properly and you trust it with your life, you can add the site to a safe list:

1. In Internet Explorer, go to the Tools menu and choose Internet Options. When the Internet Options window appears, select the Security tab. In the Security tab, click the icon labeled "Trusted sites" and then click the Sites button directly below it.
2. On the Trusted Sites window, the address of your safe website should already be typed in. If it isn't, type it in now. Next, go down to the checkbox labeled "Require server verification" and turn off that checkbox. Next, click the Add button on the right. Your website will appear in the Websites box in the middle of this window.
3. Click Close to close this window. Then click OK to close the Internet Options window. Finally, close and re-open Internet Explorer.

With your favorite website now listed as a trusted site, you get the full benefits of web 2.0 features. If trolls figure out how to compromise your favorite site with "scripting attacks," you will not be protected.

Turn off image animation and scripting in Firefox or Flock

1. In Firefox or Flock, go to the Tools menu and choose Options. When the Options window appears, click the Content icon. The options window will change to show new options. Turn off the checkbox for "Enable JavaScript". Then click OK to close this window.
2. In your location bar (the white box near the top of the window where the http:// website addresses show up) type about:config and press Enter on your keyboard. This will display advanced options for your browser. Warning: changing settings on this screen can be extremely dangerous to your browser. Only do as instructed and proceed carefully.
3. Below your Back/Forward navigation buttons, a new white box labeled "Filter" will appear, click that box and type animation. This will narrow down the list on your screen to one entry labeled "image.animation_mode" with some columns next to it. The word in the last column will say "normal."
4. Double click "image.animation_mode." This will bring up a question box with the word "normal." Change "normal" to "none" and click OK. The word in the last column will now say "none." That means you've successfully turned off image animation. Close and re-open Firefox.

Firefox and Flock do not have the built-in tools to selectively control which websites run web 2.0 features and which do not. You can learn more about how to get these features on the next page.

Turn off image animation and scripting in Safari

1. In Safari on Windows, go to the Edit menu and choose Preferences. In Safari on Macintosh, go to the Safari menu and choose Preferences. A new window will appear. Click the Security icon at the top of this window. It will change to show Security options.
2. Turn off the checkbox for "Enable JavaScript" and then close the Window. Close and re-open Safari.

Safari does not have a built-in way to turn off image animation, which is extremely disappointing. (Good job addressing accessibility there, Steve.) You will need to download a Safari plug-in to handle that task. I hear SafariPlus is good for that.

Also, Safari does not selectively turn off web 2.0 functionality, so you'll have to download a plug-in to handle that functionality. Unfortunately, I can't point you in the right direction here. Mac enthusiasts are welcome to comment their suggestions here.

As a workaround, Safari 3.1 offers the Develop menu, which gives you quick access to enable and disable web 2.0 features. To turn on the Develop menu, go back to the Preferences window (like in Step 1), click the Advanced icon, then turn on the checkbox for Show Develop menu in menu bar.

With the Develop menu enabled, you can enable/disable web 2.0 by going to the Develop menu and choosing Disable JavaScript.

Turn off image animation and scripting in Opera

1. In Opera, go to the Tools menu, choose Quick Preferences, then choose Enable GIF/SVG animation in the pop-up menu.
2. Go back to the Tools menu again, choose Quick Preferences again, then choose Enable JavaScript in the pop-up menu.

There is no way to selectively turn on web 2.0 features for trusted websites. You'll have to tick off the Enable JavaScript menu item every time you visit and then leave your favorite site.

Next: Somewhat Safe, Less Restrictive Tactics That Work Almost As Well >>

[ tech, psa published on 2008-04-01 | Permalink (1,019) | ]