Web browsing is one of the key activities we engage in while using
the internet. Our browsing histories, the things we search for, the
sites we visit and the things we might post might be of interest to
others, it is valuable to them either for commercial or political
reasons. The following chapter deals with securing the way you browse
the internet and makes you more familiar with threats you are facing so
you can recognize them and act appropriately.
The
first thing to consider is which web browser to use. Windows comes
pre-installed with Internet Explorer while Apple computers come shipped
with Safari. In this book we will exclusively look at the excellent and
freely available Firefox browser.
Firefox runs on all the major operating systems Windows, MacOS and
Linux and it has been translated into more than 75 languages. When
concerned about securing your browsing activities there it is the only
viable option when choosing a browser. Therefore this section only deals
with Firefox and its add-ons. Know that you can also install Firefox on
a CD or USB, so you can take it with you where ever you go, so you know
you have it installed from a trusted source (see also the chapter on
portable software).
Why browsing is unsafe
The Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is the networking protocol
used by browsers that allows communication between you and a site you
are visiting. Because communication is transmitted in plain text it is
unsafe, especially when using wireless networks. It is like transmitting
a message with personal information on a postcard. Data, such as user
names and passwords, sent to and received by Web sites, are easy to read
by third parties.
To solve this problem the Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure
(HTTPS) was invented to provide encrypted communication and secure
identification of a network web server. Most major Web sites, including
Google, Wikipedia, and popular social networking platforms such as
Facebook and Twitter. can also be reached via a secure connection, but
not necessarily by default. Note that most sites do not provide
encryption.
In this section will discuss several safety measures: how to
install Firefox, how to extend Firefox with add-ons to ensure safer
browsing, and how to finder safer routes through TOR, proxy settings and
FoxyProxy.
Source: Floss Manual
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