Internet is increasingly becoming an essential part of our life and it is really hard to think about a life without Internet. To use the Internet we need web browsers. Powerful web browsers are essential to make your surfing smarter and faster. Some of the most common web browsers are Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Opera and Apple Safari etc. Each of these web browsers has their own set of special features to make web browsing smoother and more secure.

 Browser security is an important factor to be considered while browsing the Internet. It is because the Internet is full of dangers that can strike an unsuspecting victim. Your browsing history can be accessed, used, and manipulated by unsolicited elements if you don’t take proper protection. The history shows your browsing habits which will be fodder for these elements to trouble you.

Therefore, you must clear the browsing history to keep your computer safe from the hackers and intruders. Most of the browsers integrate powerful security features to keep your browser safe. Online transactions such as sharing personal information, credit card details, online shopping, managing business transactions etc normally lead to various system vulnerabilities. Hence, you need to install a powerful security program on your computer while browsing the Internet for such activities.

Cyber criminals are waiting to exploit any vulnerability in your web browsers to gain control over your computer and finally over you. Once they take control of your computer, they can track your personal information, and may damage the system files.

Most of the web browser comes with powerful security settings to make the browsing safe and have the capability to keep a majority of these threats at bay. But you must be familiar with these settings. Each web browser differs in security settings, to ensure maximum security you need to properly configure the browser security settings. For example, you can find out Mozilla Firefox browser security settings by navigating through security options and selecting privacy settings, security settings etc. Some of the powerful security features incorporated in Mozilla Firefox web browser are private browsing mode, location aware browsing etc.

Some of the security options included in popular web browsers are:

•Private Browsing mode: To allow you browse the Internet without saving browsing histories

•Password Settings: Allows you to save/unsave password for websites and it also allow you to create master password to ensure protection

•Manage Cookies: Allows you to disable or restrict cookies

Most of the web browsers provide options to set the security level high, medium or low depending on your requirement. You need to update the web browser to enhance browser security. Various antivirus programs incorporate different browser security options to protect the computer from fraudulent Internet activities, spyware attacks, intruders and hackers. Some of these programs have built-in fishing and other browser protection.  By configuring these settings properly, you can protect your computer from all types of threats quickly and effectively.

Software developers and vendors of security products are faced with the challenge of developing secured products. However, it is difficult to anticipate and identify all vulnerabilities in advance. On the other hand, hackers always find ways to identify and exploit vulnerabilities, which results in security breaches. As such, computer security professionals are always under pressure to release security updates for vulnerabilities. In order to encourage information security to pre-empt hackers in identifying vulnerabilities, Mozilla foundation had initiated rewards program titled Bug Bounty Program. Mozilla follows Google, which had initiated a similar program a few months earlier.

Under the program, Mozilla foundation will pay cash prizes to researchers for identifying security holes in Mozilla’s web applications. The foundation will dole out at least 0 for identifying high risk vulnerabilities. Mozilla will pay up to ,000 to computer security professionals on revelation of highly critical vulnerabilities.

Usually, security professionals use ethical hacking practices to detect and mitigate vulnerabilities. The Bug Bounty Program encourages security professionals to identify the lapses in the source code, vulnerabilities related to authentication and session management. Mozilla cautions security experts against using automated tools as they may lead to disruption of services.

The reward programs by software developers aims at ensuring Internet security and timely availability of security updates.

The web applications, which are eligible for the bug bounty program include mozilla.com/org, getfirefox.com, addons.mozilla.org, download.mozilla.org, getpersonas.com, firefox.com, bugzilla.mozilla.org, versioncheck.addons.mozilla.org and aus*.mozilla.org.Vulnerabilities in web applications may lead to malicious attacks such as SQL injection attacks, iFrame injection attacks, cross-site scripting attack, phishing and brute force attacks among many others. Timely security updates are crucial to prevent exploitation of vulnerabilities by hackers. Hackers may gain unauthorized access, breach databases, gain remote access and disrupt web application services.

Identification of vulnerabilities by security professionals may help software developers to mitigate the vulnerabilities and to provide secured web browsing experience to end-users.

Section 1: Security Development Lifecycle

The Security Development Lifecycle technique or SDL is a professional process that helps for making sure that the software are built from the

base to reduce security risk. The SDL implements a professional process of secure design, coding, implementing, testing, review and response for all Microsoft products specific windows Vista .The SDL removes the surface a Read more »