No matter the browser a particular person chooses to use; the modern equivalent of toolbars and programs to keep you safe is browser add-ons. Granted, some add-ons offer more exciting features than security but keeping your system safe and secure is equally as important as keeping up to date with technology trends:
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Here’s a list of awesome add-ons you need for your browser to improve your online security:
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Web of Trust
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Without doubt; the best tool for the discerning internet user, Web of Trust offers the user the chance to assess websites before they fully access them based on a rating of trust and security. Most websites will show an approved rating but some, which seem innocuous, will be flagged as hazardous to your computer.
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If you haven’t tried it out, Web of Trust must be your next download.
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LastPass
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Previously; the best practice for passwords was to regularly update and use a varied range of secure passwords to keep yourself safe online. However; LastPass allows the user to create a single master password for all of their saved sign ins along with recorded information for the user in terms of web forms.
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It may seem foolish to save all your information to a single password but LastPass will create a strong master password and regularly update it based on the user’s settings.
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Password Fail
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Whilst on the topic of passwords, Password Fail will flag up a warning for any site that displays your password when signing in. The reason for this add-on is to prevent users passwords being compromised if the site itself is hacked – hackers will attempt to mirror your screen in order to obtain your password.
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TrustGuard
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Using a similar system to Web of Trust; TrustGuard users customer feedback and ratings to offer advice on which online stores can be trusted to deliver on their agreed transactions and which have a history of letting the customer down or actively trying to deceive them.
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Google Alarm
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As amusing as it is useful; Google Alarm is an add-on that emits a siren whenever a website is accessed that is collecting data on Google’s behalf. It may not be a particularly user friendly application but it does offer the user some useful information as to where their activity is being monitored by the search engine giants.
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AdBlock
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Security is as much about preventing threats as it is removing them and AdBlock is easily the market leader in terms of advertising removal. Irritating pop ups, banner advertising and other click through threats are removed from the websites you visit while AdBlock is active.
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Some sites may ask that you disable AdBlock in order to view content or to enable them to continue operating based on their advertising revenue but Web of Trust or TrustGuard can advise as to whether or not this is wise.
