Kiddoware – Parental Control & Screen Time Controls

How Can Organizations Stay Safe While Browsing the Web?

While the internet is a place with lots of useful information, it is also a place where lurking predators live and plan cyber attacks. These attackers mostly target large organizations and corporations. Every organization, no matter how strong its shell of network security may be, has a soft underbelly of vulnerability. This underbelly is its community of human users.

Hence, it is very critical for organizations to implement practical protection from these attacks. 

Today’s cyber-attacks are not very simple, these attackers have been devising socially engineered attacks that are increasingly sophisticated. From ‘corporate email phishing’ attacks that look like they come from trusted sites to tricking a user into a scam simply on opening a web page, these attacks pose huge problem to organizations. 

Remember, organizational information is not only compromised using office networks, but can happen when using non-workplace Wi-Fi networks, personal devices they may use for work, and email.

Today, we want to keep you informed on how you can help protect your organization when it comes to safe browsing. 

Every organization must have an IT cell that places all security policies in place and trains employees accordingly. The cons of using certain websites must be well informed to each and every person linked to the organization. Here are a few ways you can keep your organization protected. We are sure there are many more ways, but these are the ones we think you should detail in your cyber policy. 

1. Cross-Check the Plugins and extensions being installed

Every browser has some plugins and extensions that are installed or recommended to be installed for supporting certain web content (Example: Javascript and Flash). These are often third-party plugins. Other than the trusted ones that are recommended by certain browsers, there are also other plugins and extensions that come from less reputable sources, and may not even offer business-related functionality.

These plugins and extensions have the potential to cause major damage to your business. The security flaws in these plugins and extensions can allow attackers to wreak havoc by gaining access to your system, network or data,  installing ransomware, exfiltrating data, and stealing intellectual property.

What we recommend: Allow only important and business-related plugins and extensions. The company’s/organization’s IT policy can whitelist the ones that can be used or installed. It would be much better if these plugins and extensions are deployed via centralized systems. If possible display warnings when a user tries to install a plugin that could cause potential harm. 

2. Beware of Malicious pop-up ads

Have you come across pop-ups that present false information such as your computer is infected with a virus, and insist on downloading an antivirus? 

Well, these and ads like these are malicious pop-up ads. They may seem to be actually true and you might end up clicking on it and in return downloading malware on your systems!

What we recommend: At times, these ads do not have a close button. You can either press “ESC” or simply close the browser. The latter being the best option. There are some stubborn pop-ups that might still blink on the screen, try opening the task manager and close the application.  Do not return to the site which triggered the ad. Make sure to inform the IT admin and run an anti-malware scan to determine whether your system is clean. 

Additionally, you can configure browsers to block pop-up ads. Although there may be some legitimate sites that may need to show genuine pop-ups. 

3. Update Your Browser

Keeping browsers up to date is one of the most important things an organization can do to protect its network.

Browsers come up with security updates that keep you safe while browsing from bugs and other malicious threats. 

What we recommend: Users should be educated about how critical it is to the network’s security to keep browsers up to date, and organizations should automate the browser update process. 

4. Regular and Frequent Backups

Lastly, no matter how effective the organization’s policies and training are, organizations should look at the possibility of being infected by malware or be on guard of a cyberattack. 

Every organization must have a program or a process in place for regular data backup. The best option is to backup your data to a secured cloud storage platform or onto hard storage. 

Safe browsing is very crucial for every organization, besides the 4 points listed above, organizations can also use safe browsing apps that will prevent users from accessing harmful or malicious content.