tactic
Set up your browser
An important piece of advice that many neglect. Usually all the necessary settings are included by default, but it is at least worth reading them.
You can prevent access to unwanted items, such as a camera or microphone, and prevent geolocation tracking. This is not a panacea, but so you will at least make sure the browser is not set up against you.
tactic
Update your browser regularly
No sooner have the developers patched another hole in the security of the browser, as there is a new one, so it is so important that a fresh version was installed.
Many modern browsers have an automatic upgrade service. If you've disabled it for some reason, don't forget to check for updates manually. Let's tell you how to do it in different browsers.
Firefox
Start the browser. Find Settings, "Basics" and Firefox Update, "Automatically Install Updates."
To check for updates, start your browser and select Firefox.
Chrome
Start the browser. Click on three points in the top right corner. Select the Help menu with Google Chrome.
Opera
Start the browser. Click on the Opera icon in the top left corner. Select "On program."
Yandex.Browser
Start the browser. Click on three parallel stripes in the top right corner. Find "Extras" and "On the Browser."
tactic
Be careful when installing extensions
Most extensions are harmless, and many are irreplaceable in the work. But don't lose your vigilance, especially when it comes to accessing your data. Before installing, the browser will show what information and features the extension wants to access. Be sure to check out the list.
For example, by accessing your data on all websites, the extension may block ads or, conversely, add extra banners.
Pop-up advertising is the most innocuous thing you can face. Much worse if attackers can access your data and passwords.
There is no reliable protection in this case, so you have to be responsible and keep an eye on what you install. A few tips:
Install extensions only from the official store. Pay attention to the number of people who have installed the extension, and the reviews. Try to install extensions from official developers. If an extension you've already installed asks for access to new data, think about it. It may have been sold or hacked.
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Use anti-phishing extensions
Phishing sites are the scourge of the modern Internet user. AdGuard officials claim that 15 million websites account for 1.5 million phishing sites. And these are just the pages that the developers have checked.
As with extensions, be vigilant and careful. Do not click on links to sites that require you to enter personal information, do not fall for the provocations of scammers.
To make it easier, use an anti-phishing browser extension such as AdGuard. It will not only block pop-up ads, but also protect against data leakage.
To activate the extension for Yandex.Browser, go to the Supplements section. Then scroll down to Ad Blocking, find AdGuard and move the switch to "On."
tactic
Be careful with auto-filling forms and passwords
The feature is very convenient, but it has drawbacks. For example, your work computer can be accessed by a colleague and your laptop stolen. Let's not forget about the danger posed by phishing sites. In the latter case, thieves will have no trouble getting hold of accounts, bank data and other information. If you want to be safe, just disable the autocomplete and delete all stored passwords.
Firefox
Go to Settings and Privacy and Protection. Remove the tick from "Remember the logins and passwords for websites." In the History tab, select "Firefox will use your story storage settings." Take a tick in front of "Remember the history of search and form data."
Chrome
Go to Settings and Extras.
Scroll down to the Passwords and Forms section. Turn off the "Autocomplete Forms" and "Password Autocomplete" option.
Yandex.Browser
Go to Settings. Go down the page and click "Show extra settings." In the "Passwords and Forms" section, check out the ticks in front of "Enable auto-filling forms with one click" and "Suggest to save passwords for sites."
Opera
Go to Settings and Safety. Remove the ticks in front of "Enable auto-complete forms on pages" and "Suggest saving input passwords."
Safari
Go to Settings and Autocomplete. Check out the ticks in front of usernames and passwords, credit cards, and other forms.
tactic
Antimining
The popularity of cryptocurrencies could not go unnoticed by scammers. To successfully mine bitcoins, you need to invest well, but fans of freebies have come up with another way and mine cryptomoney with the help of other people's computers.
To do this, it is enough to introduce the code to the website, as did the owners of The Pirate Bay. Fortunately, you can protect yourself from such actions. Simply install an extension for your browser, such as No Coin.
In the latest update to Opera, the developers added built-in protection against mining, including for Android. Let's hope that other companies will follow suit.