Sometime in life (or online life at least) you will face a virus, trojan, spyware, and much more. But when you face an exploit, things tend to get a little harder even though overall it is a security risk, but like everything else, there are different ways to remove security risks. So what are exploits? Exploits can range from different functions, some can drop a trojan on your computer, some take advantage of certain programs installed on your computer to gain computer control. Exploits are a different matter, instead of downloading an infected program and installing the program yourself, exploits can be dropped without you knowing at all. Then the fun begins (well, not for the infected user at least).Exploits can be real nasty, and very annoying as well. They can drop rookits, trojans, viruses, and spyware especially, which for me has been the most common one when I am dealing with clients computers. Exploits can also affect programs that have vulnerabilities in them, which is why many companies release updates and patches to close those holes up in their software. Some of the ways you can prevent exploits from entering your pc is:

Updating

While many of us dislike updating software, it is very important to stay up-to-date especially when it comes to networks because if one security hole is found in a network, every computer in that network will be affected. Updating your software makes sure that your programs are patched up to prevent exploits that can come from websites and even documents that you open up from the web.

Updating can also make some software function better with compatibility issues that can usually crash and lead to your computer having software conflicts. If you have an anti-virus, you wouldn’t leave it with old virus definitions, having the most up to date virus definitions is important for your security, else your anti-virus won’t be able to detect known viruses by your anti-virus provider! Same idea with updates with software, patch it up to keep those pesky exploits away from entering your PC.

Security Software

Some users that I have assisted in the past had never had an anti-virus installed and if they did have one, it was either expired or out of date. Software that I have used because of the features included (as well as exploits protection) are:

• Norton Internet Security 2008 & 2009
• CA Internet Security Suite Plus 2009
• AVG Anti-Virus plus Firewall
• LinkScanner Pro (Part of AVG, but focuses mainly on Exploits)

Now this is just what I trust, there are others that I have had experience with, such as McAfee, Trend Micro, and Avira, but none of these really gave me the features I needed for my computer(s). Having a good anti-virus will make sure that you are protected with known exploits. What you use and what you want to use is up to you, it is just recommendable that you at least have a (whether free or paid) anti-virus installed!

Browser

Browser have some security features themselves, while everyone already uses Firefox and Internet Explorer the most, it is very hard to choose one depending on speed, reliability, and security. Such popular browsers are:

Internet Explorer

Internet Explorer

While many of us like Internet Explorer now, due to its reliability with Windows XP/Vista (since they are both created by Microsoft and are meant to work together smoothly), and its new features that have been included in the still-in-beta version of Internet Explorer 8, many new security features to prevent exploits have been added that have surprised us a lot since older versions, new features that Internet Explorer has are such as:

• SmartScreen Filter – A security tool to prevent you from stumbling upon a malicious site or a phishing site. It is very effective because it is like a community neighborhood watch, you see something suspicious, and you report it, same concept. This feature also helps because it also filters out and blocks any potential malicious software that could be a security risk (virus, trojan, worm, etc).
• Cross Site Scripting (XSS) Filter – Not only are phished websites and malicious websites filtered, but this new feature can prevent exploits from web servers and web applications taking over your computer and/or lead to information disclosure, cookie stealing, account/identity theft (which is the worst in my opinion), and more.
• Data Execution Detection (DEP) – If you use Vista, this is already integrated by default in Windows Vista SP1 (Service Pack 1) and prevents any website or security risk from writing any malicious code to executable memory space.

• Domain Highlighting – This is for the users who never pay attention to the sites they are redirected to. This new feature highlights the domain in the address bar so users will pay more attention on the domain they are on.

If you use Windows Vista, the UAC (User Account Control), where the screen turns transparent Grey and shows the Allow or Deny button for Administrator usages, it is something very useful when it comes to Vista, while it nags us a lot and pops up for almost every software installation or action that requires administrator privileges, its is a added layer of security to prevent exploits from entering your system, equipped with Internet Explorer’s somewhat security features, it makes a good layer of security for your system.

Mozilla Firefox

Mozilla Firefox

Firefox is still a popular browser today, it is used by millions of users, but I, myself, have to say that Firefox has been doing very bad ever since I switched to Windows Vista, has it planned by Microsoft to fail? Maybe not, there are still some things (bugs) that arose from Firefox since, but the security on Firefox has been very well, and being a very secure and overprotective person myself, security is very important to me, and Firefox has shown that to me by several features that was added since version 3:

• Anti-Malware & Phishing – A updated list of sites prevent you from stumbling upon them, as well as to prevent any phished sites to prevent you from entering you credit card in the wrong site and if you do, I quote the Mozilla site “a browser message—big as life—will stop you.”
• Instant Web Site ID – Whenever you are checking online (for example a store) and you try to buy something, the Web ID will be checked to avoid Web forgeries and make sure a site is what it claims to be.
• Password Manager – Store your passwords securely so you don’t have to manually type it every time you go on a site to login your account. This is very effective against keyloggers so they won’t log down what you typed… because your password manager types it without using your keyboard. The only flaw? Someone can easily see your accounts stored if they actually sit down at your computer, very hard to keep away from relatives or your annoying brother.
• Automated Update – We always want to stay up-to-date with our updates so we can have the latest protection and software (to fix those bugs as well), all the time. An automatic update is very useful for us who forget. When the update is ready to install, all you have to do is click install, restart firefox, and continue your work.

Again, Many crashes have increased and decreased at the same time, while I’m not sure if it happens to you, hopefull it doesn’t. Firefox is great and all, but like everything in this world… nothing is perfect.

Opera Browser

Opera Browser

Opera is also very popular online. While I haven’t used it as much as Firefox and Internet Explorer, it still is a good browser. The security features are very useful and work very well in protecting your identity online. Some of the security features in opera are:

• Fraud Protection – The fraud protection is very simple and doesn’t nag a lot. It does prevent you from viewing the page, but it also shows on the right of the address bar in a red box saying “Fraud Site”, however, a Web site with valid security certificate will display a lock on the right side of the address bar and show that it is trusted and safe.
• Private Data Deletion – While some browsers keep some data left behind, Opera deletes you data safely and secure, as well as everything is 100% gone to prevent other users on your computers (family) from viewing your personal surfing.

To me, Opera seems to be more of a social browser, which is very useful for almost all the bloggers and website owners to market our sites, the security side of Opera (in my personal opinion) isn’t as well as Firefox and Internet Explorer. Opera is still very useful and contains good security (though not as good), but it’s better than nothing.

Many of these tips can hopefully educate you a little bit, going deep into exploits isn’t something everyone can understand. Being safe is something that is really required more than ever today since hackers and security risks are getting tougher than ever to block. Though some anti-virus companies make it seem that your safe, we will never be 100% safe online. What do you think of some of these browser? Which one would you use more and hwat security product would you recommend to use?