About Web Browsers > 3: Security and Privacy Settings

3A: Sending Information Securely

While Web surfing feels safe, it may not always be secure. Information that you send using a Web form could be intercepted by an eavesdropper if it is not encrypted (scrambled). This isn't usually a big problem unless you are sending important information, such as a credit card number. Here are some ways that your browser tries to keep you informed about security issues:

1. Security alerts:
   Internet Explorer shows warning messages when you are connecting to a secure page or when you submit information using a form.

2. Lock icon:
   Internet Explorer displays a closed "lock" icon (like the one in the illustration) at the top of the browser window (near the address) when viewing a "secure" page.  A secure page is one that is located on a secure server, which encrypts or scrambles data transmissions. If you click on the lock icon, you will see security information about the page you are currently viewing.

3. Certificates:
   A certificate is a Web server's ID badge, a tamper-resistant file that identifies the individual or organization to whom it is issued and ensures that no other site can assume its identity. The certificate guarantees the authenticity of a Web site. If you are submitting any sensitive information (such as a credit card number), your browser should be set to examine certificates.

4. Phishing Filter:

Online phishing (pronounced like the word fishing) is a way to trick computer users into revealing personal or financial information through a fraudulent e-mail message or Web site. Internet Explorer has a phishing filter that will check sites against a database of known problems. Select Tools, then Phishing Filter, to set up automatic checking or to check specific sites as you browse.

Viewing your Browser's Security Settings

Select Tools, then Internet Options from the browser menu. Then click on the Advanced tab at the top of the options panel. Scroll down to the bottom of the list of advanced options to see your security settings. To make changes to security settings, click on the Security tab in the Options panel and use the slider in that panel.]

3B: Cookies

A cookie (also known as a magic cookie) is a small text file saved on your computer. Some Web sites create and send cookies to your computer to store certain types of information. Cookies are used to:

• store passwords used to gain access to sites
• keep track of how often you visit
• remember pages you have viewed
• manage a "shopping cart" of online purchases
• gather personal information so your visit can be customized

Security Issues

Cookies don't provide access to other programs on your computer or spread viruses. Some people are concerned that cookies might reveal private information.

The only way that any private information could be in your cookie file would be if you filled out a form to give that information to a Web server in the first place. Only the site that gave you the cookie can use it.

If you refuse all cookies, this might limit your ability to use interactive features of some sites. Also, many library databases use "session cookies" to help remember your search path. Disabling them makes it difficult or impossible to use these important research tools.

To change your cookie options:

1. Select Tools, then Internet Options from the browser menu.
2. Click on the Privacy tab at the top of the options panel.
3. Move the slider, like that shown in the illustration below.
4. Remember to click on Apply, then on OK to save your new cookie settings.

To remove all cookies from your browser, click the General tab in the Internet Options panel and then click the Delete Cookies button.

3C: Pop-Up Blocking

Another option on the Privacy tab of the Internet Explorer browser allows you to block pop-up windows. However, some Web sites contain links that open in new tabs or windows and the pop-up blocker may also prevent these windows from opening. Usually you can hold down the Control (CTRL) key on your computer keyboard when you click these links to override the browser's pop-up blocker.

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