Securing your web browser

Securing your web browser

In order to secure your web browser, you must change the setting on Internet Explorer by selecting tools then Internet options on the web browser tool menu. Select the security tab were you set the security level for Internet zone. The Internet zone is applied to all web sites that do not have customized security levels set. You can learn more about Internet security zones at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/ie6/using/howto/security/setup.mspx.

The recommended setting for the Internet zone is high security setting. The high security setting will disable ActiveX, Active scripting, and Java. In the security setting for this zone, drag slider control up to high. You can further customize your security settings by clicking on the custom level. This gives you the ability to control security settings for the current zone. IF you plan on using only one browser, you will have to use trusted sites to have full capability of web sites that uses ActiveX and scripting.

Web Browser Security 2 -- protect your data and I.D.

Web Browser feature vs. risk:





JavaScript is a scripting language that makes web sites interactive. JavaScript has to be set to limit access to local files.

VB Script is a Microsoft scripting language that makes web sites interactive. The added capability of scripting is often abused or attacked by hackers.

• Cross-site Scripting or XSS attack takes advantage of trust relations you have with certain web sites.




• Cross-zone vulnerabilities web browser typically limit access to local files or domains via security zone separation. If your security level is to low, you may be vulnerable.




• Detection evasion Anti-virus, Intrusion Detection System, Intrusion Prevention System looks for and detects specific activity patterns. If a know bad pattern is detected then counter measures can be taken. Web scripting can go undetected due to dynamic nature of programming.
  

Securing your web browser

The software listed above must be configured properly and you must understand the functionality of ActiveX, Java, and scripting to understand the risk involved with vulnerabilities. Some features you may want to disable or turn on for specific web sites to enhance security.

Most users who have a Microsoft Windows operating system may use Internet Explorer as a default web browser. There are many different web browsers available such as Mozilla, Safari, and Chrome. Since different applications may use different browsers, all must be secured. You may at some point want to have a totally secured web browser for all financial activity and one for general web browsing. By securing your web browser you can minimize the chances that vulnerability in a web browser can be used to comprise your information.

Web Browser security -- protect your data and I.D.

Web Browser Security
Hackers are using vulnerabilities in Web browsers to comprise computer systems. Many of the high profile security breaches have resulted from web browser security holes. I will be reviewing how to protect your data and your Identity.

Web Browser features vs. risk:
Active X is used by Microsoft Windows Explorer and allows application to use the browser. Active X has been targeted by Hackers and used to comprise many systems.

Java is object orientated programming that develops content for web sites. Java applets require a Java virtual machine that has the capability to modify operating system settings if exploited properly.

Plug-ins applications are used with browser such as Mozilla, Safari and Adobe Acrobat and typically can not be used outside of browser application or Adobe flash. Plug-ins can contain programming flaws such that allow buffer over flows and other security violations.

Cookies are files used to store data about certain web site. If a cookie is used to store log in I.D. or password, a hacker could obtain unauthorized access to that site by obtaining the cookie.

I will be covering how to secure you browser in next blog.

The Economics of Microsoft

Once windows became prevalent, Microsoft office bundled (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) were successfully integrated into Windows. The bundling of Office increased market share, profits, and limited competition. The end result was Microsoft Office bundle were priced much lower than the competition base on functionality and features. This in fact was the guiding principle of economics of information.

Back in the 1990s Internet was just getting popular. AOL Dali up was the popular choice and most people used Netscape as their browser. Bill Gates and Microsoft sensed the Internet was ready to explode, so they developed Internet Explorer in the mid-1990s. Of course, Internet Explore was bundled into Windows for free, which eventually killed Netscape. Since Microsoft was quickly becoming a monopoly, antitrust trails followed. At one point, the antitrust court tried to break up Microsoft, but was unsuccessfully due to Judaical mistakes and a somewhat flimsy case.

One of the key things Bill Gates did at Microsoft was attract and surround Microsoft with best people in the industry. Many of the most innovative software design and development people came to Microsoft due to Bill Gates. To stay successful, Microsoft must evolve again in the web 2.0 environment.

Bill Gates Boy Wonder

Bill Gates Boy Wonder

Back in the early day of Windows 1.0 produces in 1983 through Windows 3.0 which debuted in the 1990. Throughout these years, Microsoft surpassed Lotus as the Largest software company. Gates plan was always to wait for the market to develop and then move in once he fully understood the market.

Gates and Microsoft over took pioneers such as Lotus Notes 123, Netscape web browser, and countless others. Many of the business practices seemed to be designed to push out competition and dominate markets that resulted in some antitrust cases. One of the early crucial moves Gates made was, developing a relationship with IBM(D.O.S.) This relationship eventually allowed Windows to over take IBM as the leading developer of PC software.

Barack Obama's Harvard years influence

Barack Obama Harvard years

Barack graduated from Harvard law school J.D. magma cum laude in 1991. He was the first black student elected as president of the prestigious Harvard Law Review.

Barack made his distinction at Harvard law school via a well known path to academic excellence. Barack broke down many barriers that existed for minorities. He supported and helped his classmates and the Coalition of Civil Rights to get Harvard to hire more women and minority professors.

When Barack decided to run for president, most people did not give him a chance. Many minorities did not believe that "white people" would support a black candidate. Once it was clear that Barrack could relate and appeal to all people, then people began to believe he could win.

Many Harvard educated people are helping reshape Health Care, turn the economy around, and save the environment with green initiatives. I will be reviewing who these people are and how we can help turn things around.

Computing Domaince at an end for Microsoft and Bill Gate

Bill Gates and the computing revolution

Bill Gates built a computer empire that crushed rivals and dominated the desk top software market for the last two decades. Gates brilliance revolved around great technical knowledge, strategic business development, and a personality that was a great driving force.

Gates no longer runs the day to day operations, but Microsoft has approximately 84,00o0 employees and 68 billion in annual revenue. Gates now spends his time running the Gates foundation. http://www.gatesfoundation.org/Pages/home.aspx

The magical combination Gates used was technological brilliance along with uncanny business sense. Gates was able to build upon technical and business knowledge at the MIT Sloan school of management. Gates used his technical knowledge to build and design PC operating system software that allowed for a relatively inexpensive PC's that every one could afford. The windows operating system is installed on 1 billion PC's or has a user base of 1 billion users.

With these vast resources and now that Bill Gates is retired, can Microsoft maintain it's dominance and fend of Google? I will look at Bill Gates' legacy at Microsoft and the computer industry in general.