Mozilla Firefox is considered as one of the secured
browsers. However the security level would also depend on the settings. There
are some features related to security which has to be enabled manually. However
you need to check those which have to be turned on by default.
You can follow the
steps given below:
Use master password
Never save your passwords in websites which you use
frequently. Firefox would allow anyone who gets an access to your system to log
in to the sites where you have saved your passwords. You would get a list of
saved passwords and usernames through the options menu of Firefox.
Firefox offers a master password feature which encrypts and
protects the saved password list via secret code. You need to enter master
password when enabled once per session. You always need to enter before viewing
saved passwords through the options menu. This prevents casual probing of passwords. It
prevents third-party utilities from knowing your passwords. It also prevents
others from viewing or using saved login info.
To enable the master password feature, open the Firefox
menu, select Options, select the Security tab, and then check the Use a master
password option.
Password for syncing
Firefox synchronizes your passwords, bookmarks and other
browser data to Firefox browsers which are running on other systems as well as
devices. All synced data are encrypted. It has more security than what others
offer by default while setting new device or computer. You need to sign in to the Firefox account
with the sync password. You either take
a recovery key from the device you have set up or enter pass code form new
device into the old one.
In order to change the sync settings go to the Firefox menu,
then options and select the Sync tab. Check as to whether the security options
are enabled or not. Ensure that the first three security options are selected
to protect the system against any malware as well as phishing attacks.
Verify enabled
security options
Just open the menu and select options. Now select the
security tab. Check the first option ‘warn me when sites try to install
add-ons’. Ensure that next two options ‘ block reported attack sites’ and
‘block reported web forgeries’ are checked which would enable protection
against phishing and malware.
Check the first option which would prevent websites from
tracking online activity. Now you select privacy tab. If you want extra
privacy, select first option Next, select the Privacy tab. And if you want more
privacy online, select the first option,’ automatically start Firefox in a
private browsing session’. This is an indication to the websites that you would
like to be tracked.
In content check first option, ‘block pop-up windows’. This
would prevent pop-up windows.
Now select the advanced tab, go to update sub tab and select
‘automatically check for updates to….’
Add-ons give more protection. Install these security-related
add-ons for more protection
Update as well as
check plug-ins
Cyber criminals use vulnerabilities in browser plug-ins to
infect and attack computers. These plug-ins release updates to patch security
holes. Several plug-ins are set by default to update automatically or notify
the user. Check periodically for updates. You can use third party sites for
updates for various browsers.
