If you want to access the Internet, you will need a web browser. Unfortunately, the very program you use to gain access to the Net, access your email, and logon to social media sites and online bank accounts could be your downfall.
A vulnerability in Firefox, Safari, Chrome or IE could be placing your data straight into the hands of hackers. Cyber criminals can – and do – take advantage of out of date web browsers to steal data and gain access to computers, mobiles, laptops, and tablets.
It is therefore essential to ensure that your browser is kept up to date. Fail to install updates as soon as they are released and you could become the next data breach statistic.
Insecure web browsers could leave you exposed to a cyberattack
When you purchase a new device, chances are it will come with a browser preinstalled. You should bear in mind that when purchasing a new device, it is unlikely to come with the browser correctly configured, and you will most likely need to install the latest version. Updates are now being issued on a regular basis.
Fail to keep your browser up to date and tweak the security settings is a recipe for disaster. Out of date or insecure browsers can result in malware, spyware, ransomware, and viruses being installed on your device without your knowledge. Even your anti-virus software program may not pick up the infection.
Kaspersky Labs, one of the world’s leading providers of anti-virus software, has recently investigated browser security and has discovered almost a quarter of browsers are out of date. The company assessed the browsers of close to 10 million Internet users from all over the world in 2012, with the data drawn from the Cloud-based Kaspersky Security Network. Over 700 million browser launches were logged by Kaspersky during the period of study.
Kaspersky Labs browser study produces worrying results
Kaspersky Labs analyzed five different web browsers as part of the study and discovered 36 different versions in use. Only five versions were up to date and installed with the latest security patches. Users of Kaspersky Anti-virus solutions were reasonably well protected, with 77% using the latest version of their chosen browser. Unfortunately, 23% were using out of date versions, making them vulnerable to a cyber attack or malware infection. Worse still, 8.5% of test subjects were still using versions that had long since become obsolete. Millions of individuals are therefore at risk of succumbing to web-borne threats.
The process of upgrading a browser to the latest version is a quick and straightforward process, and will ensure the user is better protected against hackers. Why are users not upgrading their browsers? There are many possible answers. Simply putting it off and forgetting is one of the main reasons; however, some users are fearful that they might lose data or bookmarks by updating. Others are worried about losing some of the features they like. Sometimes, the new versions contain bugs and make viewing the Internet that little bit harder (at least initially).
Unfortunately, the reality is that failing to update a browser will leave you vulnerable. It is therefore not really a choice but a necessity, certainly if you care about the security of your device, data stored on it, and the network it connects to.